With the longest career of any woman in television, Betty White was one of the most respected names in Hollywood.
The comedic actress, born in January 1922 as Betty Marion White Ludden, got her start in the entertainment industry as an assistant at a local television station in the 1930s. By the early 1950s, she landed her first TV series, Life with Elizabeth, which she developed with composer and TV writer George Tibbles.
In time, the Illinois native elevated her star power by playing Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the 1970s and Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls in the 1980s. She continued to find success on TV through shows including Hot in Cleveland and The Bold and the Beautiful, as well as films such as The Proposal and Bringing Down the House.
Ahead of her 99th birthday in January 2021, White’s rep told Us Weekly exclusively that she “is in good health and spirits.” The star posted a message on Instagram celebrating her birthday on January 17, writing, “Would you believe it?! It’s my 99th birthday which means I can stay up as late as I want without asking. … I hope everyone is well and staying safe. We will get through this.”
Weeks before her 100th birthday, White died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 99.
Scroll down to take a look back at White’s best and most memorable moments over the years:
