Wink Martindale Net Worth

What was Wink Martindale's net worth?

Wink Martindale was an American radio DJ and television host who had a net worth of $20 million. Throughout his illustrious career spanning over seven decades, Wink Martindale hosted or produced 21 game shows, including "Tic-Tac-Dough," "Gambit," and "High Rollers," becoming one of the most recognizable faces and voices in American living rooms. With his dapper appearance, gleaming smile, and perfectly coiffed hair, Martindale epitomized the polished game show host, guiding contestants through challenges with warmth and enthusiasm. His legacy extends beyond television into radio, where he was a pioneering disc jockey who witnessed pivotal moments in music history, including the debut of Elvis Presley's first recording. Martindale's impact on American entertainment culture remains indelible, his voice forever connected to the golden era of game shows that brought families together around their television sets.

Early Life and Radio Beginnings

Born Winston Conrad Martindale on December 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee, Wink was one of five children in a modest family. His father worked as a lumber inspector while his mother was a housewife. Young Winston developed an early fascination with radio, often practicing commercial delivery behind his bedroom door by ad-libbing advertisements torn from Life magazine—foreshadowing his future career.

The nickname "Wink" originated during his childhood when a young friend had difficulty pronouncing "Winston," instead saying something that sounded like "Winkie." The moniker stuck and followed him throughout his professional life, with the exception of his first national television show where executives briefly changed it to "Win."

Martindale's persistence paid off when, at just 17 years old, he landed his first radio job in 1951 at WPLI, a small 250-watt station in Jackson, Tennessee, earning $25 a week on the 4-11 p.m. shift. This humble beginning launched a meteoric rise through increasingly powerful radio stations, culminating in his dream position hosting the popular morning show "Clockwatchers" at WHBQ Radio in Memphis in 1953.

It was at WHBQ where Martindale witnessed a pivotal moment in music history. In July 1954, he was present when DJ Dewey Phillips played the demonstration disc of "That's All Right" by an unknown Elvis Presley. The switchboard lit up with calls, and Presley was quickly brought in for his first-ever interview, marking what Martindale later described as "the night when the course of popular music changed forever."

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Television Breakthrough and Recording Success

As television gained popularity in the 1950s, Martindale expanded his talents to the visual medium. At WHBQ-TV in Memphis, he first hosted a children's show called "Wink Martindale of the Mars Patrol," featuring himself in costume interviewing children on a spacecraft set. Inspired by Dick Clark's "Bandstand," Martindale then co-hosted "Top 10 Dance Party," where he scored a significant coup by featuring Elvis Presley for free—much to the chagrin of Colonel Tom Parker, Presley's notoriously profit-minded manager.

While working in Memphis media, Martindale completed his education, graduating from what is now the University of Memphis with a degree in speech and drama. His local popularity led to a recording contract with OJ Records, later signing with Dot Records. Though not known for a particularly memorable singing voice, he achieved an unexpected hit in 1959 with "Deck of Cards," which reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned him a gold record. The success led to an appearance on Ed Sullivan's show, further expanding his national profile.

The Game Show King

In 1959, Martindale moved to Los Angeles, becoming the morning DJ at KHJ Radio while also hosting "The Wink Martindale Dance Party" on KHJ-TV. This transition to the entertainment capital set the stage for his defining career as a game show host.

His first national game show, NBC's "What's This Song?" premiered in 1964. While the show lasted less than a year, it marked the beginning of Martindale's reign in the genre. Over the following decades, he would become one of television's most prolific game show hosts, helming popular programs like "Words and Music," "Gambit," "High Rollers," "Trivial Pursuit," and "The Last Word."

Martindale's crowning achievement came with "Tic-Tac-Dough," a revival that aired briefly on CBS in 1978 before enjoying a successful syndication run until 1986. The show reached its peak popularity during the 1980 appearance of Lt. Thom McKee, a Navy fighter pilot whose 88-game winning streak earned him $312,700 and a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. As Martindale noted, the ratings were never as high before or after McKee's run.

Throughout his career, Martindale understood the enduring appeal of game shows, explaining that viewers "gravitate to games that they know" because they can imagine themselves playing along. This connection with the audience fueled the longevity of his career, though he candidly acknowledged that "there have been a lot of bombs between the hits."

(Photo by Rodrigo Vaz/FilmMagic)

Later Career and Legacy

Martindale's contributions to entertainment were recognized in 2006 when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The following year, he became one of the first inductees into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, cementing his status as an icon of the genre.

Never ashamed of his game show host identity, Martindale embraced it, saying, "I never looked down upon the idea that I was branded as a game-show host, because most people like games." This authenticity and love for his work endeared him to generations of viewers.

Throughout his long career in Los Angeles, Martindale worked at numerous radio stations, including KRLA, KFWB, KMPC, and KGIL, maintaining his connection to his radio roots even as television made him a household name.

Wink Martindale passed away on April 15, 2025, surrounded by family and his wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale. He is survived by his wife, his sister Geraldine, daughters Lisa, Lyn, and Laura, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His legacy lives on through decades of broadcasts, the evolution of game shows he helped shape, and the countless living rooms across America where his voice and presence brought entertainment and joy.

Personal Life & Real Estate

Wink Martindale shared nearly five decades of marriage with his wife, Sandy Ferra. Their enduring relationship was marked by mutual support and shared experiences in the entertainment industry.

In 1993, the couple purchased a French-country-inspired estate in a guard-gated community in Calabasas, California, for $900,000. The nearly 6,000-square-foot residence featured high ceilings, marble floors, six bedrooms, and a custom swimming pool surrounded by tropical landscaping. After residing there for over 25 years, they sold the property in 2020 for $2.16 million. Following the sale, Martindale and his wife relocated to Rancho Mirage, California, where he lived until his passing on April 15, 2025, at the age of 91.

Who's Richer?

Wink
Martindale

Compare!

Alex
Trebek