Surprise marriage proposal on Wheel of Fortune leaves contestant speechless and goes viral

A “Wheel of Fortune proposal” became the highlight of the show’s 50th-anniversary celebration.

A former contestant, invited back for the special event, solved the puzzle that read, “WILL YOU MARRY ME?”

Just when she thought the moment couldn’t get any better, her now-fiancé stepped out from the backstage to propose, creating an unforgettable scene.

Robin Kuriakose teamed up with Wheel of Fortune producers to plan a memorable surprise for Rhea Mathew.

“From the moment I saw a future together with Rhea, I envisioned this proposal,” Robin told “Good Morning America.”

He knew from the start that his proposal to Rhea had to include Wheel of Fortune’s iconic puzzle board.

With no backup plan, he spent three months collaborating with the show’s producers to turn his vision into reality.

Meanwhile, believing she was returning for a 50th-anniversary episode, Rhea was unaware she was about to be proposed to on set.

The emotional moment, which Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White witnessed, was later shared on the show’s official Instagram page.

The Wheel of Fortune proposal began with Ryan Seacrest, Vanna White, Rhea Mathew, and two actors pretending to be contestants.

Rhea’s realization came during the “toss-up” round, where letters are revealed individually.

As the puzzle took shape, she saw the phrase “Will you marry me?” slowly appear.

At first, she seemed calm, but when Robin stepped out from backstage, her expression shifted to complete surprise and happiness.

Robin then knelt down, and she happily accepted his heartfelt proposal.

Ryan and Vanna were deeply moved by Robin’s heartfelt proposal. Ryan remarked that Rhea seemed truly surprised, while Vanna called the moment heartwarming.

“Very sweet, I love that we can do that on this show,” Ryan said. “You never know what’s going to happen around here,” Vanna added.

The moment also sparked a wave of reactions online. Viewers shared their emotional responses, with one person commenting about getting teary-eyed.

Many others congratulated the couple and suggested the show offer a unique engagement gift, such as a honeymoon.

The show’s shared video summed it up perfectly: “Screaming, crying, losing our minds over this sweet Wheel proposal!”

In a behind-the-scenes Instagram video, Rhea shared her reaction to the surprise proposal with Wheel of Fortune social correspondent Maggie Sajak.

She admitted she was still in shock and described her fiancé, Robin, as one of her biggest supporters.

Robin also reflected on the moment, calling the proposal an unforgettable experience for both.

The couple was excited to see their Wheel of Fortune proposal air on TV. They looked forward to sharing the heartwarming moment with family, friends, and fans.

On January 9, 2025, they celebrated their engagement with a joint Instagram post, showcasing a photo of themselves proudly standing in front of the puzzle that revealed their big moment.

“We have been nearly BURSTING with excitement to share the details of our proposal!!,” the caption reads. “Tune in to @wheeloffortune TONIGHT on ABC to catch @rkuriakose put my jaw on the floor doing the sweetest, most elaborate thing anyone has ever done for me.”

Robin explained that Rhea and her family have been devoted Wheel of Fortune fans for years, which made the proposal even more significant.

He revealed that watching the show together at 7:30 p.m. was a family tradition Rhea’s grandfather started.

Robin also noted that the show helped her grandfather learn English, adding a personal touch to the proposal.

By including Wheel of Fortune in this special moment, Kuriakose wanted to honor the family’s tradition and make the proposal even more meaningful.

The couple is planning their wedding for October in Long Island, New York.

Watch Robin and Rhea’s sweet Wheel of Fortune proposal below: