Betty White, a beloved icon and actress since the beginning of TV, has died at age 99
Betty White’s legendary television career spanned the history of the medium itself, thriving in an industry that often prizes youth and glamour. Remarkably, White’s popularity grew as she aged. The beloved actress, known for her wit and charm, passed away at 99, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday. Her agent, Jeff Witjas, confirmed the news to People magazine, reflecting on her enduring spirit: “I thought she would live forever.”
White was celebrated for her unforgettable roles, including Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, whom she described as “your sickeningly sweet neighborhood nymphomaniac,” and Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls, a character whose naivety led to hilarious moments, such as lamenting her loss in a Butter Queen pageant due to “churn tampering.”
Her ability to balance sweetness with mischievous humor became her hallmark. Hosting Saturday Night Live, White delivered risqué jokes with perfect timing, as in her “Delicious Dish” skit, where she quipped, “My muffin hasn’t had a cherry since 1939.”
Throughout her career, White embodied the ideal of the funny, spirited aunt who speaks her mind while remaining endearing. Barry Monush of the Paley Center for Media observed, “Everyone loves that kind of relative—someone sweet but unafraid to be outrageous.”
Born on January 17, 1922, White grew up in a family that cherished the outdoors and loved animals—a passion she carried throughout her life as an animal advocate. She began her entertainment career in local theater and radio before moving to television. By the late 1940s, she co-hosted a live variety show in Los Angeles, and in the 1950s, she became one of the first women to produce a sitcom, Life with Elizabeth. White later became known as “the first lady of game shows,” bringing her sharp wit to programs like Password—where she met her husband, Allen Ludden—and The Match Game.
Unlike many in the entertainment industry, White’s career only strengthened with age. She joined The Mary Tyler Moore Show at 51 and became a cultural icon as Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls from ages 63 to 70. She continued to charm audiences well into her 80s and 90s, appearing in commercials, movies, and TV shows.
Her resurgence in the 2010s, sparked by a Super Bowl Snickers commercial, proved her broad appeal. Fans launched a Facebook campaign to get her to host SNL, which she did at 88, earning rave reviews. As Monush noted, “There’s something about her where people are always on her side.”
Despite her professional success, White faced personal losses, including the passing of her husband in 1981 and the deaths of her Golden Girls co-stars. In a poignant interview, she admitted, “You lop three members of your family off, and you just never get over it.”
Still, White’s optimism and humor remained her defining traits. She once wrote that humor is all about rhythm—a skill she mastered both in her performances and her lifelong career. Her impeccable timing, unwavering charm, and boundless energy kept her beloved by audiences from her 20s to her 90s, ensuring her place as a true entertainment icon.
