Daisy Maldonado
Dec 31, 2021
Betty White has died at age 99, just two weeks before her milestone 100th birthday.
The trailblazing icon was reported to have passed away at her home just before 9:30am on Friday.
White’s eight-decade career was unparalleled as fans saw her grow from her iconic role in The Golden Girls to countless other television and film projects.
Her agent and close friends Jeff Witjas confirmed the tragic news to People, "Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever.”
He added, “I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don't think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again."
The eight-time Emmy winner had just spoken to People for this week’s issue ahead of her birthday and said that she was “in such good health.”
Among the avalanche of tributes from A-list stars was a super-sweet message from Ryan Reynolds: “The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret.”
It comes just a day after he had fans creased up with laughter after joking about their previous relationship.
The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not… https://t.co/1bi74cZsAG— Ryan Reynolds (@Ryan Reynolds) 1640981311
His short but sweet tribute was adored by fans:
“Very old and somehow not old enough.”Perfect way to word that. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/7tL7XjHv3S— The Pixel Slayers 🏳️🌈👾📺 (@The Pixel Slayers 🏳️🌈👾📺) 1640981989
I don’t think anyone could’ve said it better. 💔🥺 #ripbettywhite https://t.co/loZsLArFEd— Brittany B (@Brittany B) 1640981994
this might be the best lil tribute https://t.co/I5dvN8lku6— aaron (@aaron) 1640981986
But Reynolds was just one of the thousands paying touching tribute to the star.
Seth Meyers shared a hilarious anecdote about her time hosting SNL.
RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she orde… https://t.co/wK8ub8VA1r— Seth Meyers (@Seth Meyers) 1640980412
Aimee Carrero revealed the hysterical first words Betty White ever said to her.
I worked with #BettyWhite on her 95th birthday. I thought you should know the very first words she ever said to me:… https://t.co/HPadK83sq8— Aimee Carrero (@Aimee Carrero) 1640983066
Even President Joe Biden shared some words to commemorate White’s impact on the world.
Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely misse… https://t.co/rE9y3lHxFp— President Biden (@President Biden) 1640984686
“Dying hours before New Year's Eve ensures that Betty White will have more toasts made to her memory on the day she died than just about anyone in history. She always was a master of timing,” wrote authors Tom and Lorenzo.
Dying hours before New Year's Eve ensures that Betty White will have more toasts made to her memory on the day she… https://t.co/7fOVnv5WYU— Tom and Lorenzo (@Tom and Lorenzo) 1640979479
Comedian Kathy Griffin shared her own lengthy touching post, “Betty White. Where do I begin? I’ve known her long, but I think the first time I met her was when she was a guest star on Suddenly Susan in the late 90s.
She continued, “Everyone was very excited she was on the show. I had accidentally parked in her parking spot that day. She walks in...yells from the back of the soundstage for everyone to hear “Where’s that redheaded bitch who stole my parking spot???” SWOON. A friendship was born.”
1) Betty White. Where do I begin? I’ve known her long, but I think the first time I met her was when she was a gues… https://t.co/jttk5gzyae— Kathy Griffin (@Kathy Griffin) 1640978980
Her seven-part Twitter thread ended by stating, “No matter how long this world continues to spin, there will be only one Betty White.”
“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,” wrote George Takei.
Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday. Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose… https://t.co/Sjs8JzkfUk— George Takei (@George Takei) 1640979216
Dictionary.com had a very on-brand take:
golden adjective 1. bright, metallic, or lustrous like gold. 2. full of happiness, prosperity, or vigor. 3. highly… https://t.co/eaHVns1Lpr— Dictionary.com (@Dictionary.com) 1640978748
“RIP to Betty White who was charming, delightful, hilarious, talented and unproblematic for 99.9 years,” wrote Roxane Gay.
RIP to Betty White who was charming, delightful, hilarious, talented and unproblematic for 99.9 years.— roxane gay (@roxane gay) 1640980724
Netflix shared their own clip in honor of the actress, writing: “Betty White: First Lady Of Television — and our hearts. Rest in Peace.”
Betty White: First Lady Of Television — and our hearts. Rest in Peace ❤️ https://t.co/AInUQ80HHn— Netflix (@Netflix) 1640979403
Fans also chimed in with their own posts dedicated to celebrating White.
This clip of Betty White with Ryan Reynolds lives rent free in my head. https://t.co/82SpPWH3Nq— Ahmed Ali (@Ahmed Ali) 1640979768
RIP Betty White 🤍 my sis served all 99 years https://t.co/jfaEU5EPrU— Drebae (@Drebae) 1640978242
Betty White was an icon, a legend, and consistently found a way to be the moment over her nearly 70 year career.… https://t.co/8f0Zme3NYo— Jarett Wieselman (@Jarett Wieselman) 1640978220
❤️ https://t.co/yJeALR8xEb— ⛄️ Muppet History ❄️ (@⛄️ Muppet History ❄️) 1640979188
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