Famous game show host Winston Conrad «Wink» Martindale died at the age of 91 in April 2025
16 april 2025 в 17:13
Winston Conrad «Wink» Martindale passed away at the age of 91 in April 2025. Building a successful career as a game show host, Martindale eventually received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. Originally from Tennessee, he left behind children and several grandchildren.
Later in his career, Martindale, who hosted game shows such as «Gambit», - «Tic-Tac-Dough», - «High Rollers», - and «Debt», - published his memoir «Winking at Life» in 2000, where he provided a deep insight into his lifestyle on television.
«I enjoy working with contestants, interacting with the audience, and, to some extent, watching lives change», - he wrote in an excerpt from the book. «Winning a large sum of money can cause such changes».
In addition to hosting game shows, Martindale was also a DJ, radio host, and television producer. In his memoirs, he noted that although he achieved success, he could think, «Wow, this is easy! I come out here, go on radio and television, record a song and everyone wants to buy it!»
«Even if I entertained such thoughts, they soon disappeared», - Martindale emphasized, adding about his career: «I eventually realized that something that happened to me was far from ordinary».
While fans mourn Martindale’s loss, learn about his family below.
Yes, Martindale was married to his second wife Sandra «Sandy» Martindale from 1975 until the end of his life. A representative of the Martindale family shared in a public statement that the late game show host passed away «surrounded by family and his beloved wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale».
Before his second marriage, Martindale was married to his first wife Madelyn Leech from 1954 to 1972.
Martindale was the father of his daughters Lisa, Madelyn, and Laura, and son Wink Jr., who passed away before the former host of «Gambit», - according to NPR. His children were from his first marriage to Leech, according to the publication.
Thanks to years of work on television, Martindale accumulated a significant fortune. According to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025, his net worth was $ 20 million.
Martindale passed away after battling lymphoma, TMZ reported. According to the publication, he fought cancer for a year, and his representative Brian Mayes said he «felt good» until two weeks before his death. Martindale then «took a turn for the worse» and was receiving treatment in the hospital before his passing
Later in his career, Martindale, who hosted game shows such as «Gambit», - «Tic-Tac-Dough», - «High Rollers», - and «Debt», - published his memoir «Winking at Life» in 2000, where he provided a deep insight into his lifestyle on television.
«I enjoy working with contestants, interacting with the audience, and, to some extent, watching lives change», - he wrote in an excerpt from the book. «Winning a large sum of money can cause such changes».
In addition to hosting game shows, Martindale was also a DJ, radio host, and television producer. In his memoirs, he noted that although he achieved success, he could think, «Wow, this is easy! I come out here, go on radio and television, record a song and everyone wants to buy it!»
«Even if I entertained such thoughts, they soon disappeared», - Martindale emphasized, adding about his career: «I eventually realized that something that happened to me was far from ordinary».
While fans mourn Martindale’s loss, learn about his family below.
Yes, Martindale was married to his second wife Sandra «Sandy» Martindale from 1975 until the end of his life. A representative of the Martindale family shared in a public statement that the late game show host passed away «surrounded by family and his beloved wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale».
Before his second marriage, Martindale was married to his first wife Madelyn Leech from 1954 to 1972.
Martindale was the father of his daughters Lisa, Madelyn, and Laura, and son Wink Jr., who passed away before the former host of «Gambit», - according to NPR. His children were from his first marriage to Leech, according to the publication.
Thanks to years of work on television, Martindale accumulated a significant fortune. According to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025, his net worth was $ 20 million.
Martindale passed away after battling lymphoma, TMZ reported. According to the publication, he fought cancer for a year, and his representative Brian Mayes said he «felt good» until two weeks before his death. Martindale then «took a turn for the worse» and was receiving treatment in the hospital before his passing
© Smirnova Olga
