A carefully orchestrated surprise unfolded on “Wheel of Fortune” during the show’s 50th-anniversary celebrations when former contestant Rhea Susan Mathew unknowingly solved her own proposal puzzle, leading to an engagement that captured the hearts of the studio audience.
The romantic moment occurred on Thursday, January 9, 2025, when Mathew returned to the “Wheel of Fortune” set in Culver City, California. She was brought back under the pretense of celebrating the show’s 50th anniversary, but secretly, her boyfriend, Robin Kuriakose, had coordinated with the show’s hosts and production team to arrange the surprise proposal.
“We’re celebrating milestones in honor of our 50th anniversary and had one happen earlier in the week right here on the set,” Seacrest announced in a clip shared on YouTube. White added, “Robin, the boyfriend of former contestant Rhea, reached out for our help in asking her a big question.”
Mathew’s original appearance on the show occurred in October 2023, during legendary host Pat Sajak’s final season. The production team used this connection to make her return seem natural, telling her she would participate in a special anniversary segment.
The proposal puzzle presented a challenge, as Mathew had to solve it with only five letters and a question mark on the board. She successfully decoded the phrase “Will You Marry Me?”
Following her solution, Kuriakose emerged through the sliding doors typically used by the hosts, walked onto the set, and dropped to one knee. “Rhea Susan Mathew, will you marry me?” he asked as she nodded, visibly overcome with emotion.
The show’s social correspondent, Maggie Sajak, daughter of former host Pat Sajak, captured behind-the-scenes moments. “Rhea [thinks] she’s here for puzzle redemption, but little does she know… she’s here to get engaged!” Sajak noted in her coverage of the event.
“I’m still in shock,” Mathew told Sajak in a post-proposal interview. Kuriakose took the opportunity to thank the show’s production team for their role in coordinating the surprise.
Before the proposal, Mathew unknowingly heightened the anticipation during her pre-show interview with Sajak by mentioning that she had brought her boyfriend Robin to share in the special moment, describing him as one of her biggest supporters.
After the proposal, Mathew expressed her gratitude on social media, thanking the show enthusiastically for making her dreams come true. She commemorated the occasion by sharing a photo of herself and her new fiancé standing in front of the solved “Will You Marry Me?” puzzle on the game show set.
The memorable moment coincides with significant changes for the long-running game show, which recently welcomed Ryan Seacrest as its new host following Pat Sajak’s retirement. The show remains one of America’s most-watched game shows, drawing over 20 million viewers weekly and continuing its legacy of distributing millions in cash and prizes throughout its 41 seasons in syndication.
