US actress
The last «Golden Girl»: Betty White died at 99
The US actress Betty White died shortly before her 100th birthday. Photo: Paul Buck / EPA FILE / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
At the age of 93 Betty White discovered Instagram for herself, and at 95 the actress wanted a new edition of her hit series “Golden Girls”: Now she has died at the age of 99.
Betty White made her first TV appearance at the end of the 30s, and her name is now in the Guinness Book of Records as a TV entertainer with the longest career.
“There is no secret behind it,” said White, who became world-famous with the sitcom “Golden Girls”, once said. “I’m just happy that I could have the career that I had. I loved every minute I’m just grateful that people have been so kind to me all these years. I’m the happiest old woman on two legs. “
White, who would have turned 100 on January 17th, was the last remaining “Golden Girl”, now she has died at the age of 99, as the American magazines “People” and “Deadline” reported, citing manager Jeff Vitjas. The promiportal TMZ had previously reported.
Twitter at 90, Instagram at 93
The actress with the characteristic white-haired grandmother look and quick-witted humor remained fit, happy and curious well into old age. At the age of 90 she sent her first Twitter message, at 93 she discovered Instagram for herself, and for her 95th birthday she wanted a new edition of the successful series “Golden Girls”, which ran in the USA from 1985 to 1992 and in Germany was broadcast from 1990.
White played the naive widow Rose Nylund in the sitcom “Golden Girls” about four older women in a shared apartment. All of her colleagues died before her: film mother “Sophia” (Estelle Getty) in 2008, “Dorothy” (Beatrice Arthur) in 2009 and “Blanche” (Rue McClanahan) in 2010.
First roles in the late 1930s
White, who was born in Illinois in 1922, began her career long before the “Golden Girls”. Immediately after high school in the late 30s and 40s, she got her first small roles on television and in the theater. Even after the “Golden Girls” she continued to get roles on television and in movies.
White, who was married three times with no children, also worked as a producer and has won dozens of awards, including numerous Emmys. “People grew up with me, they had children, and they grew up with me,” the actress once told the British Guardian. “They just think you belong.”
White was always humble. “I don’t like going out for a fancy meal,” she once told Parade magazine. “I like simple things, hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, no spices or sauces.”
For her 100th birthday on January 17th, White was supposed to get a TV special as a gift. In “Betty White: 100 Years Young – A Birthday Celebration” stars like Ryan Reynolds and Robert Redford should celebrate them. “Everyone likes a party – and this one is going to be great,” White told CNN.