Source: CBS Photo Archive / Getty
Betty White, one of the most beloved figures of all time in entertainment, has enjoyed support from a fanbase that spans decades. On New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31), the veteran actress passed away at the age of 99.
As reported by TMZ, reps for White say that she wasn’t battling any known illnesses and kept close to home in the midst of the pandemic.
Betty Marion White was born in Oak Park, Ill., on January 17, 1922. As a baby, the family relocated to Los Angeles where she later discovered a passion for writing. Inspired by the careers of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, White pursued the craft of acting.
While her film career began in 1945, it was in the 1950s that White found her fame in television, including her own self-titled variety program. From there, White was a fixture as a game show panelist, most notably the hit show Password and its subsequent reboots. White was also offered a role to host NBC’s morning show Today, but she reportedly turned down the gig as she didn’t want to relocate to New York City.
Perhaps White’s most notable role was the kind-hearted Rose Nylund on the NBC hit series, The Golden Girls. The show ran from 1985 to 1992 with fellow stars Beatrice Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty earning awards and acclaim for the still-beloved sitcom.
White won five Primetime Emmy Awards, one Daytime Emmy Award, and a Grammy Award among several nominations and honors that peppered her stacked and highly-successful career. While she never had children, White was a stepmother to the children her husband Allen Ludden had from a previous relationship.
Across Twitter, the tributes to Betty White have been pouring in nonstop and we’ve collected just a handful below.
Rest powerfully in peace, Betty White. You’ll always be our Golden Girl.
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Photo: Getty
1.
Betty White passing away hurts. May our Golden Girl rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/wkSJZcZMWA
— THEE Stephanie. (@qsteph) December 31, 2021
2.
Noooo way the year ended wit Betty white dying smh no way pic.twitter.com/xXNBaaeiig
— puma (@Puma213) December 31, 2021
3.
RIP Betty White
my sis served all 99 years pic.twitter.com/jfaEU5EPrU
— Drebae (@Drebae_) December 31, 2021
4.
When Betty White is trending, and this time it is for real.
pic.twitter.com/IYOSJjHeY9
— Rogue Duck (@duck_rogue) December 31, 2021
5.
NOT BETTY WHITE DYING TWO WEEKS BEFORE SHE TURNS 100 pic.twitter.com/OhlkA6g4Ux
— Kelley
(@kelleymcgrathx) December 31, 2021
6.
Lawdddd they done took Betty White !! pic.twitter.com/aMLTbYUM1w
— noCHRISjusBREEZY (@KickNtheBreeze) December 31, 2021
7.
Betty White was an icon, a legend, and consistently found a way to be the moment over her nearly 70 year career.
A trailblazer. An original. And a truly kind soul. May she be forever surrounded by four-legged animals in heaven. pic.twitter.com/agiNKiSY7O
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) December 31, 2021
8.
Betty White: First Lady Of Television — and our hearts. Rest in Peace
pic.twitter.com/AInUQ80HHn
— Netflix (@netflix) December 31, 2021
9.
Hollywood icon Betty White has passed away at age 99. Thank you for being a friend, Betty.
pic.twitter.com/AI48ImiCjO
— IMDb (@IMDb) December 31, 2021
10.
Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday. Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humor, and charm. A great loss to us all. We shall miss her dearly.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 31, 2021
11.
"I Have No Regrets At All. None. I Consider Myself To Be The Luckiest Broad On Two Feet." — Betty White, 1922-2021.
pic.twitter.com/39OFes3yJV
— E! News (@enews) December 31, 2021
12.
In 1974, I was an obscure opening act for Linda Ronstadt at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Passing through the lobby before the show, I saw Betty White and her husband Allen Ludden waiting in line.
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) December 31, 2021
13.
A spirit of goodness and hope. Betty White was much beloved because of who she was, and how she embraced a life well lived. Her smile. Her sense of humor. Her basic decency. Our world would be better if more followed her example. It is diminished with her passing.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 31, 2021
14.
golden
adjective1. bright, metallic, or lustrous like gold.
2. full of happiness, prosperity, or vigor.
3. highly talented and favored; destined for success.
4. Betty White. pic.twitter.com/uLiOr5j13X— Dictionary.com (@Dictionarycom) December 31, 2021
15.
Betty White : I is very hard to absorb you are not here anymore.. But the memories of your deLIGHT
are ..Thank you for yur humor , your warmth and your activism ..
Rest now and say Hi to Bill— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) December 31, 2021
my sis served all 99 years
(@kelleymcgrathx)