Betty White is a national treasure — one that must be protected at all costs.
Since the start of her career, she’s quickly become the first lady of television with iconic roles in Golden Girls , The Mary Tyler Moore Show , and Hot in Cleveland .
RELATED STORIES
To celebrate her existence, here are 10+ golden times Betty was the internet’s favorite 99-year-old.
When she stole our hearts as Rose Nylund on *Golden Girls*.
From 1985 to 1992, Betty starred in one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.
We always looked forward to her hilarious one-liners, like when she was always talking about how she was from St. Olaf.
When she danced around a fire in *The Proposal*
Even with a star-studded cast in the popular rom-com (this includes Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock), Betty still shined as our favorite character.
We’ll never forget when she danced around a fire to Sandra singing “Get Low”. Iconic.
When she dragged Sandra Bullock on live TV.
Forget Chrissy Teigen or Sarah Hyland — the true Clapback Queen is clearly Betty White.
When she accepted her award, she took this hilarious jab at her Proposal co-star.
When she promoted *Deadpool* for Ryan Reynolds.
After working on The Proposal together, Betty and Ryan formed the most adorable friendship ever.
As a favor to him, she even delivered this hilarious and quick-witted promotion for his Deapdpool movie that Ryan totally didn’t write.
When she starred as Sue Ann Nivens on *The Mary Tyler Moore Show*.
The star’s hilarious and magnetic performance as Mary’s nemesis ended up earning Betty not one but two Emmy nominations !
Given what we know of Betty, it’s clear that she deserved them both.
Whenever she appeared in late-night sketches.
Long before Jimmy Kimmel or Jimmy Fallon took over the late-night TV scene, Betty was a frequent guest on Johnny Carson’s show.
It was here that she performed hilarious skits , such as this “Tarzan and the Apes” skit in August 1981.
When she announced that she won’t ever retire.
Long live, Betty! She put our minds as ease when she revealed that she won’t ever stop working.
“Retirement is not in my vocabulary. They aren’t going to get rid of me that way,” she once told USA Today .
When she showed off her love of animals.
Such a good heart! The 99-year-old has been working with the Morris Animal Foundation for over 50 years. This is a health organization that helps animals of all kinds.
Her golden retriever is even rumored to be in her will!
When she was extremely humble about her career.
Betty is truly one-of-a-kind. There aren’t many 99-year-olds in Hollywood with a thriving acting career.
“I’m the luckiest broad on two feet, I’ll tell you that,” she once told Katie Couric. “They say once a woman passes 40 she doesn’t get any good parts, so I’m blessed.”
When she starred in this hilarious Superbowl commercial.
Watching Betty play tackle football will never stop being funny!
She even delivers hilarious one-liners, like when she quips “that’s not what your girlfriend says,” to one of the guys.
When she shot hoops with Shaq.
It’s the friendship we never knew we needed! In addition to spreading awareness to an important organization (ChildHelp.org) we loved seeing Betty coach the basketball superstar.
“Feed the big man!” she says after letting him play.
When she guest-starred on *SNL*
If you had any doubts that Betty is tough, this video should clear things up. In it, she plays someone from the Scared Straight program at a jail.
This leads her to throw hilarious insults like “hippie” and “so you think you’re the bee’s knees.”
When she shared the importance of wine.
It’s not just vodka that Betty uses to extend her life. It’s wine, too!
We loved nothing more than when she encouraged us to relax with a glass of vino after a long day.
When she gave Mindy Kaling the best life advice.
What could be better than our two favorite ladies getting together?
When they both graced the cover of Emmy magazine, Betty gave Mindy this important piece of life advice : “the older you get, the more they put up with.’
When she shared her secret to longevity.
Want to know how Betty has gotten to the age of 99? Vodka and hot dogs.
“Probably in that order,” she revealed in an interview with Parade . If that’s the key to being like Betty, we’re off to the store right now.
When she prank called James Corden.
Betty never misses an opportunity to pull a fast one on someone!
Before she appeared on James Corden’s show, she requested all sorts of strange demands, such as only having yellow M&Ms in her dressing room.
When she starred in this “I’m Still Hot” music video.
Betty is truly living her best life!
She starred in a music video for electro-pop artist Luciana. In it, she was surrounded by a lot of muscular men. Not many women in their 90s can say that!
When she gave us these bloopers from *Hot in Cleveland*
She’s truly the first lady of television! After all, she was the first woman to star in a sitcom .
In addition to Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show , she starred in Hot in Cleveland . Cue the laughs.
When she defended the gay community.
The LGBTQ community always has a supporter in Betty White.
She made this known while on Larry King Live . “I don’t care who anybody sleeps with. I think it’s fine if they want to get married. I don’t know how people can get so anti-something,” she said.
