ICON GONE
Betty White dead at 99: Legendary Golden Girls actress passes away as fans pay tribute to American icon
LEGENDARY Golden Girls actress Betty White passed away on Friday, as fans pay tribute to the American icon.
- whose career spanned almost nine decades - was 99 years old, and only weeks from her 100th birthday on January 17th.
6
6
6
Sources told that the iconic star passed away at her home on the morning of New Year's Eve. The source added that she didn't have any illnesses and she was not battling any particular ailment. It is believed she died from natural causes.
Her agent and friend Jeff Witjas said in a statement to : "Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever.
"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."
Following the news, fans and celebs rushed to pay tribute to the iconic actress.
shared a touching post about the great, just one day after quipping that he had a "past relationship" with Betty.
Most read in The Sun
He wrote: "The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectations. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret."
posted a photograph of him and Betty with the caption: "Noooooooooo. Say it isn’t so," while dubbed her "the funniest woman I've ever met."
added: "Tonight we will raise MANY glasses to the WONDERFUL legacy of Betty White!!!"
Read our Betty White blog for the very latest news and updates...
STAR'S ICONIC CAREER
Born in Oak Park, , on January 17, 1922, White's career started as a radio personality in in the 1930s.
She transitioned to television, where she became a staple panelist of American game shows, including Password, Match Game, Tattletales, To Tell The Truth, Hollywood Squares and The $25,000 Pyramid.
White was dubbed "the first lady of the game show," becoming the first woman to receive the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host in 1983.
Her career skyrocketed with her role as Rose Nylund in the '80s sitcom The Golden Girls.
Betty's tragic passing comes as:
- Her friend said the star 'never feared' death
- She gushed over celebrating her 100th birthday in her final post
- Celebrities mourned Betty's passing
- Police were seen leaving the star's home hours after her death
Starring alongside Beatrice Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, the four women's characters revolved around three widows and one divorcée who shared a house in Miami, .
The sitcom received critical acclaim throughout most of its run, winning several awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.
Each of the four stars received an Emmy Award, making it one of only four sitcoms in the award's history to achieve this.
BETTY GUSHED ABOUT 100TH BIRTHDAY
In a final tweet before her death, Betty said: "My 100th birthday… I cannot believe it is coming up."
The star opened up about her health in a rare interview earlier this week and revealed that she remains in tiptop condition because she maintains a positive outlook on life.
"I'm so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age, It's amazing," she told .
The TV favorite admitted that she was "born a cockeyed optimist" which is imperative to her upbeat nature.
She continued: "I got it from my mom, and that never changed. I always find the positive."
As for her diet, Betty joked: "I try to avoid anything green. I think it's working."
MILESTONE CELEBRATION WAS PLANNED
Earlier this month, Betty revealed that she had enlisted her famous friends to celebrate her 100th birthday on January 17.
Alongside a throwback photo of the star, Betty revealed on that she is hosting a special event for her birthday.
The text below the photo read: "Betty White invites you to her 100th Birthday celebration event."
She then revealed the impressive guest list for the party celebrating "America's sweetheart."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The famous faces that will honor Betty include Ryan Reynolds, Tina Fey, Robert Redford, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Leno, Carol Burnett, Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel, Valerie Bertinelli, James Corden, Wendy Malick, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Betty captioned the post: "I’m going BIG for my birthday - right to the BIG SCREEN! Get your tickets and join me at the link in my bio."
6
6
6
Betty White stars in classic episode of American sitcom The Golden Girls
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at [email protected] or call 212 416 4552.
Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at
Topics