Date of first appearance:
February 1, 1991
Total winnings:
$93,599 (regular shows, 10th Anniversary Tournament, Million Dollar Masters)
Records held:
Worst Final Jeopardy! wager in the show's history
Favorite anecdote associated with being on the show:
In June 2003 I crossed the border into the US from Alberta, Canada, with a cooler full of fruit. The U.S. Border Patrol waved me right through without an inspection, because they recognized me as a contestant. Even the guys with body armor and guns came out of the back room to see me and congratulate me, and they said I was the first “celebrity” they had met crossing at their station. So much for "Homeland Security!" Almanacs may be on the watch list, but Jeopardy! champions have diplomatic immunity.
Did being on Jeopardy! have any effect on your life?
It has changed my life in myriad ways. It has given me more confidence, it has opened doors for me both personally and professionally, made me more focused and aware of interesting tidbits and world events. I have met so many interesting people because of my association with the show--I have been invited to over 95 different local civic and fraternal organizations to talk about my contestant experience. It has also made life a little easier for us economically, because we invested most of my 1991 winnings in a college fund for our son, and he's now a freshman at the college of his choice without our having to worry about how to pay for it. My education allowed me to succeed on Jeopardy! in the first place, and it is indescribably gratifying to know that Jeopardy! is helping to educate our son so he can be successful in life.
Did you do anything crazy with your winnings?
Well, if you call buying our first new car in 19 years crazy!
Is there anything else you would like viewers to know about you?
My personalized license plate says "JEPARDY." My measurements are confidential. |
"A Jeopardy! tournament veteran, her best-known Jeopardy! appearance may be in the film Groundhog Day. Still teaching Spanish in Hayward, California..."
2014 Battle of the Decades invitee: $5,000.
2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions Round 1 player: $5,000.
2002 Million Dollar Masters tournament wildcard semifinalist: $25,000.
1993 10th Anniversary Tournament 2nd runner-up: $7,500.
1991 Tournament of Champions semifinalist: $5,000.
Season 7 5-time champion: $56,099.
Last name pronounced like "FRATE-iss". |
