Additional Coverage:
- Bartender on ‘Wheel of Fortune’ wins $72,000 and reveals the wholesome way he’s gonna spend it (marketrealist.com)
Milwaukee Bartender Strikes a Chord with $72,000 “Wheel of Fortune” Win
A Milwaukee bartender proved he’s more than just a master of mixology, hitting a high note on “Wheel of Fortune” with a whopping $72,298 win. Mike Gaethke, who also plays guitar in the band Tallboy, charmed viewers with his wholesome intentions for his winnings: treating his daughters like princesses.
Gaethke’s journey to the winner’s circle was a mix of early success and nail-biting suspense. He snagged $2,000 right off the bat with a toss-up, followed by a Disney Princess Experience.
While luck wavered momentarily, he quickly regained his footing, solving the Prize Puzzle for a trip to Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii. With two out of three Triple Toss-Up puzzles under his belt, his total climbed to $32,298.
The Bonus Round presented the category “What Are You Doing?” and Gaethke confidently chose his letters.
With a final guess of “Working on a farm,” he struck gold, adding an impressive $40,000 to his winnings. Gaethke’s celebratory scream of “Let’s go!”
echoed his daughters’ excitement, who will be enjoying the Disney trips. The remaining winnings will fuel a shopping spree for his kids and a well-deserved new guitar for the musically inclined dad.
A humble Gaethke remarked on his experience, stating, “It was crazy, I didn’t expect it to happen…the money was just a bonus.” He added, pleased with his performance, “I don’t think I embarrassed myself too much.” Clearly, this Milwaukeean hit all the right notes, both on stage and as a devoted father.