TALK about the pro verbial gusher.
Newlywed Michelle Loewenstein became the first $1 million winner in “Wheel of Fortune” history last night.
Her winning puzzle phrase? “Leaky faucet.”
Loewenstein, who’s originally from Edison, NJ – and now lives in LA – became an instant millionaire just four days after returning from her Hawaiian honeymoon.
“I got home from my honeymoon on a Monday, they called me on Wednesday and I taped the show that Friday,” she told The Post.
Loewenstein was sworn to secrecy (along with the studio audience) about her big win and wasn’t allowed to share the news with her family back in Edison.
They knew something was up – she flew home to watch the show with them last night as cameras recorded the occasion – but they had no idea she’d won $1 million.
“I said to my mom, ‘Would it be OK if a film crew came to the house?’ and she was like, ‘Why?’ and I just said, ‘Because,’
“They were really unsure what was going on.”
Luckily for Loewenstein, new husband Donald Moore had witnessed her victory in person, so at least she could share it with someone.
“The whole time he was sitting in my line of sight and I could see him [during the taping],” she said. “Sometimes, during that show, he couldn’t even look because he was so nervous.
“When I finally solved the puzzle, one of the producers said to him, ‘You’re not gonna believe this,’ and he said, ‘Get the heck outta here.’
“Of course, I screamed and ran away,” she said. “[Don] hugged Pat [Sajack]. I think I ran over to Vanna [White], but I don’t even remember.”
Loewenstein was able to win the big bucks under new rules instituted by “Wheel” this season to jazz up the show a bit. (The most anyone could previously win was $100,000.)
“I’ve had some really good luck,” she said. “I got engaged on 7/7/07 and the show was filmed on 8/8/08. I can’t wait until 9/9/09.”
Loewenstein, 24, met Moore, 32, five years ago at the Cheesecake Factory in Edison. Soon after, Moore was transferred to LA (he’s a VP in the food-service industry).
Loewenstein, who joined him there in 2007, is a teacher by trade, but is currently working at a flower shop in Malibu (“I needed a little change,” she said).
So what’s she gonna do with her $1 million windfall?
“I don’t actually get anything until February, so I’m actually a ‘fake millionaire’ right now,” she said. “I have some plans – I always wanted a nice car, so I’ll spoil myself that way.
“And I’ll help out my parents and my sister.”