Departed Bea Arthur’s son recalls growing up with ‘The Golden Girls’ star, addresses alleged Betty White feud

Ten years ago today, Bea Arthur, the beloved Golden Girl, passed away, leaving behind a legacy full of laughter, joyful memories, and some rumors about feuds between her and her co-stars.

Matthew Saks, Bea Arthur’s 57-year-old son, recently spoke to Fox News, explaining that despite rumors, his mom didn’t hate Betty White. “You know, I’m always asked if my mom hated Betty White,” he said. “It’s not the way it is. I think my mom had some issues with her, but she liked her.” Saks added that Arthur and White had different acting styles, which may have caused some tension.

Rue McClanahan, Arthur’s co-star on The Golden Girls, explained in 2009 that Bea came from a stage background, while Betty was more accustomed to television and interacting with the audience. “Bea always had the fourth wall,” McClanahan said, “But Betty would flirt with the audience.”

To the public, Bea Arthur was known for her sharp wit, deep voice, and iconic roles like Maude Findlay in Maude and Dorothy Zbornak in The Golden Girls. But to Saks, Arthur was simply his mom, a woman who found true joy in performing.

He recalled childhood memories of joining his mom on the road when she was in Fiddler on the Roof at just three years old. He spent much of his time in her dressing room, learning the ins and outs of the plays. Despite her Hollywood fame, Arthur was private and preferred quiet moments at home with close friends, like Rock Hudson, who once helped him clear the table.

Arthur’s personal life was relatively grounded, and Saks fondly recalled moments of their normal family life. Yet, he also acknowledged his mother’s strong feelings about her career, including her desire to leave The Golden Girls. She felt the show had run its course and eventually did just that, with the spin-off The Golden Palace airing without her.

Arthur’s impact went beyond Hollywood, as she made a lasting philanthropic mark. She left $300,000 in her will to the Ali Forney Center, the nation’s largest organization providing shelter to homeless LGBTQ youth. This generous donation led to the creation of the Bea Arthur Residence in New York City.

While Saks was unaware of his mother’s donation until after her death, he was proud of her quiet legacy. “My mom was very private,” he said, “She never made any mention of money she gave away. I didn’t know about it until she passed.”

Arthur’s desire to perform never waned. Even after The Golden Girls, she embarked on a one-woman show, which Saks recalls as one of her proudest projects.

As for his own career, Saks briefly pursued acting before switching to home renovation, where his biggest client was his mother, updating her Brentwood estate. After Arthur’s passing in 2009, Saks reflected on her incredible life and career. “I miss my mom,” he said, “I wish she was here to see my kids, but I’m lucky to be her son.”

Her work, especially on stage, remains a treasured memory for Saks, even if much of it wasn’t recorded. He fondly remembers her as “phenomenal” on stage and “pretty good at living her life” without the Hollywood spotlight at home.