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Golden Girl Betty White has sadly passed away at the age of 99 at her home in the USA on 31st December 2021. White, who had worked in entertainment since the 1930s, was a national treasure both because of her incredible talent and her advocacy for others.
Born in 1922, Betty began working as an actress and model before World War II broke out, leading her to work with the American Women’s Voluntary Services while the conflict continued. Although the war ended in 1945, it was the early 1950s that saw Betty’s efforts take off as her television career gained traction. She was nominated for the brand new Emmy Award category of “Best TV Actress” in 1951, and launched and produced a new sitcom titled Life with Elizabeth, which meant that she was one of the first women producers in Hollywood.
In 1954, she had her own variety programme, The Betty White Show and was in creative control, hiring a female director and regular cast member Arthur Duncan, who was a Black tap dancer. Racist viewers threatened to boycott the show, and NBC attempted to pressure White to fire Duncan. Betty White not only refused to fire Arthur Duncan but gave him more airtime on the show and helped launch his successful career. The show was subsequently cancelled.
Betty White continued to work as a comedy actress and scoop an array of awards throughout the decades that followed, however it is her role as Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls that proved to be her most well-loved and best-known role in the 1980s and 90s.
The lesser-known television show with the same premise and format titled Hot in Cleveland turned out to be another recent-day hit for Betty White, this time with her featuring as the older matriarch character Elka, the caretaker of the house. The show ran from 2010 – 2015, and was the highest rated telecast for cable network ‘TV Land’ in their 14 year history.
Betty White had been preparing for her 100th birthday, with a series of interviews and television shows scheduled, and People magazine releasing a special issue with her just days before her passing.
My 100th birthday… I cannot believe it is coming up, and People Magazine is celebrating with me! The new issue of @people is available on newsstands nationwide tomorrow. https://t.co/kTQnsbMDGK
— Betty White (@BettyMWhite) December 28, 2021
Tributes have flooded in from people around the world, with some even encouraging a #BettyWhiteChallenge on Twitter, encouraging a celebration on what would have been her 100th birthday, asking people to donate $5 to their local animal shelter. This was meaningful for White, as not only was she an advocate for oppressed people including the LGBT community, she also worked to help and rescue animals.
President Joe Biden tweeted his condolences on New Year’s Eve, sending well-wishes from himself and wife Dr Jill.
Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Year’s Eve.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 31, 2021
While The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center celebrated her support of Arthur Duncan, tweeting their message.
In 1954, #BettyWhite was criticized after having Arthur Duncan, a Black tap dancer, on her show.
Her response: "I'm sorry. Live with it."
She then gave Duncan even more airtime. The show was canceled soon after.
Rest well, Betty. #ThankYouForBeingAFriend pic.twitter.com/3rQRTHOPe7
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) December 31, 2021
American comedy show Saturday Night Live showed the 2010 episode that had been hosted by Betty White, to commemorate the actress this weekend.
Betty White is said to have said her late husband’s name ‘Allen’ prior to her passing, according to White’s assistant. Betty and Allen Ludden were married from 1963 until his untimely death in 1981.
There is no doubt that the actress, producer, and humanitarian will be sorely missed by all, and is captured perfectly by the Golden Girls inspired hashtag #ThankYouForBeingAFriend.
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