Adriana Xenides: A true lady

Adriana Xenides who is originally from Argentina, started her career as a model in her teen years.

Her modelling career saw her make the finals of the first Mrs South Australia contest in 1978.

She was soon approached by Grundy Television, and joined Australia’s much loved game show Wheel of Fortune in 1981.

She first worked with Ernie Sigley as co-host on Wheel of Fortune and remained working on the show for 18 years.

Throughout her time on the show she also worked with John Burgess, Tony Barber and Rob Elliott.

Adriana was completely committed to her role on Wheel of Fortune and for the 16 years between 1981 and 1996 she never missed an episode.

Adriana left the show in 1999, however, her long standing role saw her enter the Guinness Book of Records as the longest running game show host and she holds the Australian record.

Before her death on June 7, 2010, Adriana was suffering from a gastrointestinal digestive disorder. She said she was in extreme pain from the illness.

In a Woman’s Day interview in February 2010 Adriana said that her dog had helped her when she collapsed from excruciating pain. “When I woke up, it was dark, so some time had elapsed. I could see two gold eyes watching me and in my mouth was a wet dish cloth. I traced the marks across the floor and I couldn’t believe what Red had done,” she said. Read the full story here.