Betty White's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Betty White.Photo:Hulton Archive/Getty; Bettmann Archive/Getty

Hulton Archive/Getty; Bettmann Archive/Getty

Though she had five Emmys and a seven-decade, monumental career under her belt, White was most beloved for her cheerful spirit, quick wit and radical sense of humor. According to White, being “born a cockeyed optimist” was the key to her upbeat nature. “I got it from my mom, and that never changed,“she told PEOPLE. “I always find the positive.”

As we remember her incredible life and career once more, take a look at Betty White’s life in photos.

01of 34Betty White’s Early YearsSeth Poppel/Yearbook Library.Betty Whitewas born on Jan. 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. Soon after her birth, her family moved to California, where White (seen here in her senior portrait) graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1939.

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Betty White’s Early Years

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library.

Betty Whitewas born on Jan. 17, 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois. Soon after her birth, her family moved to California, where White (seen here in her senior portrait) graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1939.

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Betty White in the Army

Betty White during WWII.U.S. Army/Twitter

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NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

White got her showbusiness start in radio, beginning with commercials and eventually landing her own program,The Betty White Show.It wasn’t until 1949 that she began appearing on television, co-hostingHollywood on Televisionwith Al Jarvis.

04of 34Betty White Wins an EmmyBetty White.GettyIn 1952, White took over the show, became its producer (a rarity for the time) and then createdLife with Elizabeth.She earned her first Emmy for her work on the show.

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Betty White Wins an Emmy

Betty White.Getty

In 1952, White took over the show, became its producer (a rarity for the time) and then createdLife with Elizabeth.She earned her first Emmy for her work on the show.

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The Betty White Show

ABC Photo Archives/Getty

06of 34Betty White as an AllyHulton Archive/GettyIna PBS tribute to her career,Betty White: First Lady of Television,White said that, when faced with backlash and boycotts over her decision to feature Duncan, “I said, ‘I’m sorry. Live with it.'“However,The Betty White Showwas canceled shortly thereafter.

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Betty White as an Ally

Hulton Archive/Getty

Ina PBS tribute to her career,Betty White: First Lady of Television,White said that, when faced with backlash and boycotts over her decision to feature Duncan, “I said, ‘I’m sorry. Live with it.'”

However,The Betty White Showwas canceled shortly thereafter.

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Walt Disney Television via Getty

White followed up her variety show with parts onThe Millionaire(1956) andDate with the Angels(1957-1958).

08of 34Betty White and Allen LuddenLouis Liotta/New York Post Archives /(c) NYP Holdings, Inc. via GettyIn 1961, White met Allen Ludden while appearing onPassword,the game show he hosted, as a celebrity guest. Two years later, the couple married; they were together until his death in 1981.Ludden was her third husband. White’s first marriage to Dick Barker in 1945 lasted one year, while her second, to Lane Allen in 1947, ended in divorce two years later.

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Betty White and Allen Ludden

Louis Liotta/New York Post Archives /(c) NYP Holdings, Inc. via Getty

In 1961, White met Allen Ludden while appearing onPassword,the game show he hosted, as a celebrity guest. Two years later, the couple married; they were together until his death in 1981.

Ludden was her third husband. White’s first marriage to Dick Barker in 1945 lasted one year, while her second, to Lane Allen in 1947, ended in divorce two years later.

09of 34Betty White on Game ShowsCBS/GettyPasswordwasn’t the only game show to feature White as a celebrity contestant. The witty actress also competed on game shows likePyramid, To Tell The Truth, I’ve Got a Secret, Match GameandWhat’s My Line.Here, she competes onPasswordin 1967, as her husband hosts.

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Betty White on Game Shows

CBS/Getty

Passwordwasn’t the only game show to feature White as a celebrity contestant. The witty actress also competed on game shows likePyramid, To Tell The Truth, I’ve Got a Secret, Match GameandWhat’s My Line.

Here, she competes onPasswordin 1967, as her husband hosts.

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Betty White Hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

NBCU Photo Bank

11of 34Betty White and Mary Tyler MooreCBS Photo Archive/GettyIn 1973, White began appearing onThe Mary Tyler Moore Showas Sue Ann Nivens.

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Betty White and Mary Tyler Moore

CBS Photo Archive/Getty

In 1973, White began appearing onThe Mary Tyler Moore Showas Sue Ann Nivens.

12of 34Betty White Wins More EmmysGettyHer time on the blockbuster show would lead to twoEmmy Awardsfor outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.

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Betty White Wins More Emmys

Getty

Her time on the blockbuster show would lead to twoEmmy Awardsfor outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series.

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Gene Arias/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

In 1977, after the end ofThe Mary Tyler Moore Show, White (seen here as a guest onThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson)was offered her own show, again namedThe Betty White Show, but it only lasted one season.

14of 34Betty White and Johnny CarsonNBCU Photo BankShe would go on to appear onThe Carol Burnett Showand in sketches onThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.Right, White and Carson dress as Tarzan and Jane in 1981.

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Betty White and Johnny Carson

She would go on to appear onThe Carol Burnett Showand in sketches onThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Right, White and Carson dress as Tarzan and Jane in 1981.

15of 34Betty White on Her Love with Allen LuddenWalt Disney Television via GettyIn 1981, White’s husband, Allen Ludden, died of stomach cancer. White never remarried; she told Anderson Cooper in 2011, “Once you’ve had the best, who needs the rest?“She added of her third husband, “I made two mistakes before Allen, but the love of your life doesn’t come along in every life, so I am very grateful that I found him.”

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Betty White on Her Love with Allen Ludden

In 1981, White’s husband, Allen Ludden, died of stomach cancer. White never remarried; she told Anderson Cooper in 2011, “Once you’ve had the best, who needs the rest?”

She added of her third husband, “I made two mistakes before Allen, but the love of your life doesn’t come along in every life, so I am very grateful that I found him.”

16of 34Betty White on Just MenHerb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyIn 1983, White got her own game show,Just Men,and became the first woman to win a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding game show host.

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Betty White on Just Men

Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

In 1983, White got her own game show,Just Men,and became the first woman to win a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding game show host.

17of 34Betty White and Joan RiversJoseph Del Valle/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/GettyIn 1983, she appeared on television with fellow comedic powerhouse Joan Rivers, who was guest hosting forThe Tonight Show. The pair would become close friends and eventually appear inHot in Clevelandtogether in 2010.

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Betty White and Joan Rivers

Joseph Del Valle/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

In 1983, she appeared on television with fellow comedic powerhouse Joan Rivers, who was guest hosting forThe Tonight Show. The pair would become close friends and eventually appear inHot in Clevelandtogether in 2010.

18of 34Betty White on ‘Golden Girls’Betty White in The Golden Girls.Gary Null/NBCU Photo BankIn 1985, White began starring as Rose Nylund inGolden Girlsalongside Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan.

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Betty White on ‘Golden Girls’

Betty White in The Golden Girls.Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank

In 1985, White began starring as Rose Nylund inGolden Girlsalongside Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan.

19of 34Betty White’s Next EmmyNBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyIn 1986, White won an Emmy for outstanding actress in a comedy series for her role inGolden Girls, and would go on to be nominated for the role six more times.

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Betty White’s Next Emmy

In 1986, White won an Emmy for outstanding actress in a comedy series for her role inGolden Girls, and would go on to be nominated for the role six more times.

20of 34Betty White on ‘The Golden Palace’Herb Ball/NBCU Photo BankIn 1992,Golden Girlsended after White’s costar Bea Arthur announced that she would be departing the series. White, McClanahan and Getty all returned to reprise their roles inThe Golden Palace, though the series only lasted one season.

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Betty White on ‘The Golden Palace’

Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank

In 1992,Golden Girlsended after White’s costar Bea Arthur announced that she would be departing the series. White, McClanahan and Getty all returned to reprise their roles inThe Golden Palace, though the series only lasted one season.

21of 34Betty White in ‘The Proposal’Touchstone/Kobal/ShutterstockWhite continued acting afterGolden Girls,taking roles in sitcoms includingMaybe This Time,That ’70s Show, Suddenly Susanand ThePractice.From 2005 to 2008, she had a recurring role onBoston Legaland in 2006, she joined the cast of the soap operaThe Bold and the Beautifuland appeared for 22 episodes.She also made a return to game shows in 2008 withMillion DollarPassword, and starred inThe Proposalalongside Sandra Bullock (pictured right) in 2009.

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Betty White in ‘The Proposal’

Touchstone/Kobal/Shutterstock

White continued acting afterGolden Girls,taking roles in sitcoms includingMaybe This Time,That ’70s Show, Suddenly Susanand ThePractice.From 2005 to 2008, she had a recurring role onBoston Legaland in 2006, she joined the cast of the soap operaThe Bold and the Beautifuland appeared for 22 episodes.

She also made a return to game shows in 2008 withMillion DollarPassword, and starred inThe Proposalalongside Sandra Bullock (pictured right) in 2009.

22of 34Betty White’s Many AwardsFrank Trapper/Corbis via GettyOn top of her seven Emmy wins and twoSAG Awards, White also had two American Comedy Awards and was the recipient of lifetime achievement awards at the Emmys in 2015, theSAG Awardsin 2010 and the American Comedy Awards in 1990.

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Betty White’s Many Awards

Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty

On top of her seven Emmy wins and twoSAG Awards, White also had two American Comedy Awards and was the recipient of lifetime achievement awards at the Emmys in 2015, theSAG Awardsin 2010 and the American Comedy Awards in 1990.

23of 34Betty White’s Grammy AwardBetty White.Kris Connor/GettyShe is also a Grammy Award winner: She won for best spoken-word recording for the audio version of her bookIf You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t)in 2011.

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Betty White’s Grammy Award

Betty White.Kris Connor/Getty

She is also a Grammy Award winner: She won for best spoken-word recording for the audio version of her bookIf You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t)in 2011.

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Maury Phillips/WireImage

25of 34Betty White’s Snickers CommercialSnickersIn 2010, White made a hilarious cameo in a commercial for Snickers during Super Bowl XLIV.

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Betty White’s Snickers Commercial

Snickers

In 2010, White made a hilarious cameo in a commercial for Snickers during Super Bowl XLIV.

26of 34Betty White Hosts SNLDana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyNot long after, there was an online campaign for the actress to hostSaturday Night Live. The show delivered; at 88, White became the oldest person to host. The appearance earned her an Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series.

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Betty White Hosts SNL

Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Not long after, there was an online campaign for the actress to hostSaturday Night Live. The show delivered; at 88, White became the oldest person to host. The appearance earned her an Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series.

27of 34Betty White Turns 90Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo BankIn 2012, White got a celebration for her 90th birthday befitting of a legend. NBC aired a 90-minute tribute entitledBetty White’s Birthday:A Tribute to America’s Golden Girl,with star-studded tributes to the legend. She even got amessage from President Barack Obama!

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Betty White Turns 90

Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

In 2012, White got a celebration for her 90th birthday befitting of a legend. NBC aired a 90-minute tribute entitledBetty White’s Birthday:A Tribute to America’s Golden Girl,with star-studded tributes to the legend. She even got amessage from President Barack Obama!

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Betty White on ‘Hot in Cleveland’

David Livingston/Getty

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Betty White at the 2018 Emmys

Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

30of 34Betty White’s Animal ActivismBettmann/GettyWhite earned many accolades over her long career, but perhaps most dear to her heart were the honors she received from many organizations to recognize her work in animal conservation and protection. The actress, a lifelong animal lover, served on the board of the Los Angeles Zoo for decades and the dues for her fan club, Bets’ Pets, went towards animal rescue charities.When she received the Smithson Medal from the National Zoo in recognition of her work in the area,White said, “What a privilege to be honored simply for my passion — for what I love most in the world — animals.”

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Betty White’s Animal Activism

Bettmann/Getty

White earned many accolades over her long career, but perhaps most dear to her heart were the honors she received from many organizations to recognize her work in animal conservation and protection. The actress, a lifelong animal lover, served on the board of the Los Angeles Zoo for decades and the dues for her fan club, Bets’ Pets, went towards animal rescue charities.

When she received the Smithson Medal from the National Zoo in recognition of her work in the area,White said, “What a privilege to be honored simply for my passion — for what I love most in the world — animals.”

31of 34Betty White’s Tips for LongevityKelsey McNeal/Disney General Entertainment Content via GettySo what was the secret to White’s success? In 2011, White told David Letterman onThe Late Show with David Lettermanhertop tips for a long and happy life. Among them were these gems:“Exercise. Or don’t, what the hell do I care?““Schedule a nightly appointment with Dr. Johnnie Walker.““Try not to die.”

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Betty White’s Tips for Longevity

Kelsey McNeal/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

So what was the secret to White’s success? In 2011, White told David Letterman onThe Late Show with David Lettermanhertop tips for a long and happy life. Among them were these gems:

32of 34Betty White’s Final YearJeff Kravitz/FilmMagicAt 99 years old, the actress offered a more serious look back on the key to her full and joyful life. “Don’t take yourself too seriously,“she told PEOPLE. “You can lie to others – not that I would – but you cannot lie to yourself.“She also told PEOPLE that she was choosing to focus on the good saying, “I don’t like the other side. The positive side is a lot more fun.”

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Betty White’s Final Year

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

At 99 years old, the actress offered a more serious look back on the key to her full and joyful life. “Don’t take yourself too seriously,“she told PEOPLE. “You can lie to others – not that I would – but you cannot lie to yourself.”

She also told PEOPLE that she was choosing to focus on the good saying, “I don’t like the other side. The positive side is a lot more fun.”

33of 34Betty White DiesBetty White.Vincent Sandoval/WireImageThebeloved actress diedon Dec. 31, 2021, just ahead of her 100th birthday.“Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,” her agent and close friend Jeff Witjas told PEOPLE in a statement. “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.”

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Betty White Dies

Betty White.Vincent Sandoval/WireImage

Thebeloved actress diedon Dec. 31, 2021, just ahead of her 100th birthday.

“Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,” her agent and close friend Jeff Witjas told PEOPLE in a statement. “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.”

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Betty White Is Immortalized

Betty White stamp.USPS

USPS

On Nov. 15, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced that a portrait of Betty White will be included as part of thestamp designs for 2025.

“An icon of American television, Betty White … shared her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades — including roles onThe Golden GirlsandThe Mary Tyler Moore Show,” USPS said in a statement. “The comedic actor, who gained younger generations of fans as she entered her 90s, was also revered as a compassionate advocate for animals.”

source: people.com