Betty White dead updates – Cause of death for Hollywood legend revealed as a stroke after she passed away at 99

Jimmy Fallon pays tribute

Jimmy Fallon called Betty White “the perfect guest,” and shared photos of the late star on his show.

Oldest person to host SNL

Aside from having one of the longest TV careers, Betty also became the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live.

She was 88 years old at the time.

She also went on to win the Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her spot in SNL.

Betty White rejected SNL three times before hosting

SNL co-creator Lorne Michaels asked Betty White to host the show three times between the 70s and 90s. White said no to all three offers.

It wasn’t until 2010, that White’s longtime agent and close friend Jeff Witjas finally convinced her to say yes to Michaels.

“It was one of the most incredible experiences — it truly, truly was,” Witjas recently told .

“Betty didn’t really want to go to New York to do it, but I said to her, ‘You have to do it.’ I mean, how could she not? And she trusted me.”

Betty White was in ‘great spirits’ while filming final TV appearance

Betty White was in “great spirits” and “looked amazing” while filming her final TV appearance which took place just 10 days before her death. 

The beloved actress was preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday with a big televised special that will still air despite her passing only a few weeks before the age milestone. 

Director of Betty White: A Celebration, Steven Boettcher, told  that the Hollywood icon was in “great spirits” while filming her video message for the show – which was was also “her idea” to be recorded.  

“She was great, she was funny, she was the adorable Betty White we all know and love.

”I mean, you see her and you just can’t help but love her and she was amazing – just amazing.” 

Betty White’s last tweet

Betty White gushed over celebrating her 100th birthday in a heartbreaking last post just days before her death at 99.

The beloved star’s  spoke about her 100th birthday.

The tweet read: “My 100th birthday… I cannot believe it is coming up, and People Magazine is celebrating with me!

“The new issue of  is available on newsstands nationwide tomorrow.”

Betty was born in Oak Park, , on January 17, 1922.

Another look at Hollywood Blvd

Hollywood Blvd. continues to honor Betty White, with a memorial set up at her star, and other tributes to the late Hollywood legend.

Hollywood Boulevard memorial

Candles, flowers, photos, and other items have been left at Betty White’s star on Hollywood Blvd.

What were Betty White’s last words?

Betty’s former costar Vicki Lawrence revealed that Betty’s last word was her late husband’s name, “Allen.”

Lawrence said that she reached out to Carol Burnett in her grief after the news of the 99-year-old actress’s death, .

“Carol wrote back and said, ‘I know, I know. I spoke to Betty’s assistant, who was with her when she passed, and she said the very last word out of her mouth was ‘Allen.'” said Lawrence.

“How sweet is that?” said Lawrence. “‘That is so sweet. God, I hope that’s true. For all of us, I really hope it’s true, a lovely thought.’”

Betty White's expanded activism, continued

White also worked with a guide dog school in New Jersey, called The Seeing Eye.

The organization addressed White’s passing on Friday.

“The Seeing Eye mourns the passing of long-time supporter, advocate, and friend Betty White,” said the school.

“All of us at The Seeing Eye will miss her kindness, her wisdom, and her amazing laugh.”

Betty White's expanded activism

As she gained more fame, Betty White expanded her activism with animals.

The National Zoo in Washington D.C. issued a statement on how the actress’ activism inspired people.

“Actress + author (Betty White) graced us with a visit in 2012, sharing her passion for wildlife + animal conservation with our team,” the zoo wrote.

“Ms. White’s love of animals inspired us + others who care + protect creatures large + small.”

Los Angeles Zoo remembers Betty White

The actress supported the Los Angeles Zoo for .

“Her work with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association spans more than five decades, and we are grateful for her enduring friendship, lifelong advocacy for animals, and tireless dedication to supporting our mission,” said association president Tom Jacobsen in statement.

“She cared deeply for all living creatures – including us,” said zoo CEO Denise Verret. “Her loss leaves a great hole in our hearts.”

Animal rights groups honor Betty White

Betty went above and beyond in service to animals.

“We lost a conservationist, animal advocate, and friend,” said the Audubon Nature Institute.

When penguins and sea otters were evacuated from Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans ahead of Hurricane Katrina, "Betty White paid for the plane to relocate them.”

“She did not ask for fanfare; she just wanted to help," the organization wrote.

An animal lover

Betty was a huge animal lover.

So much so, she turned down a part in the 1997 film As Good as it Gets because she objected to a scene in which a dog is thrown down a laundry chute.

Betty White on motherhood

While speaking with , Betty gave details regarding her feelings on not having children.

She told CBS: “No, I’ve never regretted it. I’m so compulsive about stuff, I know if I had ever gotten pregnant, of course, that would have been my whole focus.”

She concluded: “But I didn’t choose to have children because I’m focused on my career. And I just don’t think as compulsive as I am, that I could manage both.”

Did Betty White have children of her own?

Betty White did not have biological children of her own, though she did gain three stepchildren through her third marriage.

In 1963, the actress married her third husband, Allen Ludden, but he passed away in 1981 from cancer.

Betty has three stepchildren from her marriage to Ludden: David, Sarah, and Martha.

Betty White statement on LGBT rights

Betty White also stood for equal treatment of LGBT people under the law.

“If a couple has been together all that time – and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones – I think it’s fine if they want to get married,” said White.

“I don’t know how people can get so anti-something.”

“Mind your own business, take care of your affairs, and don’t worry about other people so much.”

Betty stood for civil rights

In the 1950s, White was heavily criticized for including Arthur Duncan, a Black dancer, on The Betty White Show.

When she was told to pull him from the show, she gave a resounding “no” and gave Duncan more air time.

“All through the South there was this whole ruckus, they were going to take the show off the air if we didn’t get rid of Arthur because he was Black,” White said in a documentary.

White said her opinion was never going to change and Duncan was staying.

“Evidently through the South at that point, it was a very heavy (thing), and I said, ‘I’m sorry, but he stays … Live with it!’”

What was Betty White’s net worth?

Betty White’s career spanned eight decades as she became a pioneer in the film industry.

She was 99 years old when she died and had announced her excitement on social media as her milestone birthday approached. She would be celebrating 100 years old on January 17, 2022.

At the time of her death, White had accrued a net worth of an estimated $75million and received critical acclaim over the course of her long career.

How much did Betty White make from the Golden Girls?

The actress’ salary while on the show was not released.

However, White made a yearly $3million from reruns after the show ended in 1992.

It has been reported that the star made up to an estimated $87million from the show between its ending in 1992 and her death.

Comedians remember Betty White, continued

“She answered every question, acted very shocked at every word out of my mouth, which was mandatory,” continued Kathy Griffin. “She hung out with my mom, like a peer.”

“She actually treated me like an equal in the comedy gurrrl world. She was as sharp and funny as she was soft and wise and no matter how long this world continues to spin, there will be only one Betty White,” Kathy concluded.

And John Cleese posted in memorial, too.

“I’d like to point out today that the wonderful Betty White once played the role of Sybil Fawlty in a disastrous American adaptation of Fawlty Towers,” he wrote.

“I felt very proud she was involved and wish to apologize to her for the experience,” he concluded.

Comedians remember superstar Betty White

On Twitter, comedians shared their memories of Betty White, all of them hilarious and charming.

“RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party,” said Seth Meyers.

“A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.”

Kathy Griffin posted a thread full of happy memories, including the time she arranged a “play date” for Betty and her own mother, Maggie.

“We surprised Maggie, so when Betty shows up at Sizzler Senior Early Bird Special, my Mom about fell OUT!” Kathy wrote.

“It was basically a dream girls day. Betty legit treated my mom like a friend.

Why Betty White never lied about her age

In one of her last books, White discussed the advantages and disadvantages to aging. She said that she stays grateful because she’s still functioning and not in pain.

The beloved comedian said that a point comes in each person’s life where they can start “bragging” about their age.

“I have never lied about my age,” she said, 89 at the time, “but these days, I seem to work it into the conversation at the drop of a hat.”

Where will Betty White be buried?

It’s not been confirmed where Betty will be buried.

White’s late husband, Allen Ludden, is buried at Graceland Cemetery in Mineral Point, near Madison, Wisconsin.

Ludden became Whit’s third husband in 1963. She never remarried after he died from stomach cancer in 1981.

Though there are rumors of White visiting, she had not been back to visit Mineral Point for quite some time.

It’s said locals deeply respect and appreciate the connection to the pop culture icon.

“Allen Ludden and Betty White is our connection to Hollywood,” Jason Basting, Mayor of Mineral Point said.

“For a small town of 2,600 people, it’s pretty neat to have that type of connection. She’s a legend right?”

What is the Betty White challenge?

The Golden Girls actress died a mere 17 days before celebrating her milestone birthday of 100 years.

Fans have taken to Twitter to honor White and think of ways to celebrate her birthday.

A graphic has now gone viral with over 30K likes on the social app.

“On Betty White’s 100th birthday, January 17th, everyone should pick a local rescue or animal shelter in your area and donate just $5 in Betty White’s name.

“Make her 100th birthday the movement she deserves.”

The actress famously loved animals and had been pictured with many furry friends.

In fact, she loved animals so much that she once privately paid to  after Hurricane Katrina.

How did Betty White and her husband meet?

Betty and Allen met in the summer of 1961 on the set of Allen’s game shows, Password.

During a 2018 PBS special, Betty, a celebrity guest, could be seen  on the show

He asked her about her summer plans and she cheekily responded, “Well, what did you have in mind, Allen?”

Betty explained in a  that the following summer, their respective agents booked them parts in a play called Critic’s Choice in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

“Somehow, we became instant friends,” she said.