25 Photos of Betty White to Celebrate Her Legendary Life

On the last day of 2021, the world experienced a collective shock after it was reported that just days before her 100 birthday, legendary actress Betty White passed away. White passed away in her home on the morning of Friday, December 31 as she slept. Some of her most memorable roles are portraying Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls and Ryan Reynold’s grandmother in The Proposal. White had the natural ability to make you laugh until your cried. She also held several guest roles in major television shows, like Bones.

White was only just a child before she became America’s Sweetheart thanks to the career that landed her a spot in the Television Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Among the countless awards her acting has received, 8 of those were Emmy Awards. We wanted to pay tribute to this legend by showcasing some of the most exciting photos of her with you. Take a look at them to remember all of the joy Betty White brought to this world.

Take a Look at These Stunning Photos of Betty White to Remember Her Many Contributions to American Culture.

On the Cover of People

White was set to be the cover of People magazine to celebrate her 100th birthday. It’s one of the last glimpses we got of this star. Unfortunately, White did not make it to celebrate a century of life.

National Pet Day

“Happy National Pet Day to all my animal friends out there, both two-legged and four-legged!” White shared in April 2021. “I have been a pet lover all my life.”

Your Valentine

Betty White shared a Valentine’s Day message the same year with an image of her holding a pig. “Happy Valentine’s Day!” she wrote. “It’s fun to show appreciation to the ones you love.”

“Friends Forever”

“‘Friends forever’ says it all,” White captioned this photo of herself with a couple of friends (including Mary Tyler Moore Show star, Georgia Bright Engel). While we remember her for her work on film sets, one of her greatest contributions was being a wildlife and animal advocate which she committed herself to in childhood and continued throughout her career.

Betty & Koko

Here’s a photo of White with her girlfriend, Koko. You’ll recall that Koko became a worldwide sensation after learning to communicate with humans via American Sign Language. In addition to Betty White, Koko was also friends with Robin Williams, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Jane Goodall, and Dian Fossy.

Mary Tyler Moore

After the passing of her friend and colleague, Mary Tyler Moore, White shared this photo. “Mary Tyler Moore, Grant Tinker, Allen Ludden, and I had some of the best times of my life together,” she wrote at the time. “She was special.”

With Her Mom

“One of the BEST people ever — My Mom, Tess,” White shared of her “best friend forever.” Christine Tess White passed away in 1985.

Driving Carol Channing

Here’s a candid photo of White driving actor Carol Channing to Spago in Los Angeles in 1993. Let’s take a closer look at these famous pals together.

Style for Days

These two looked fantastic back in the day with their super, stylish ensembles for a night out and a fancy dinner. This photo is nothing short of iconic.

Thank You for Being a Friend

This photo of White was taken during her tenure on the classic TV series, The Golden Girls. Her portrayal of Rose Nylund delivered millions of laughs through the years.

A Speech

“Thank you, thank you!” White’s character Rose famously said in a hilarious episode of Golden Girls. “What a surprise! I’m absolutely speechless, except for the one I prepared. Laughter from the crowd. First of all, I would like to thank all the little people who’ve made tonight possible. Thank you, little people! Smile for the photographers, wave to the fans.”

With Her Wax Figure

Here’s White next to a wax figure of her created by Madame Tussauds Hollywood. It was unveiled in 2012.

Lifetime Achievement

In 2015, Betty White received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 42nd Daytime Emmy Awards. It’s one of the many little, gold men White had to brag about.

Above the Knee

“Get out of here!” Rose tells Blanche after discovering that her friend shaves about her knee. Some of the greatest scenes from Golden Girls found Rose outraged over Blanche’s saucy antics.

RELATED: Iconic Actress Betty White Passes Away at 99 Just Days Before Her 100th Birthday

“One For The Money”

The Golden Girls got to tango in this still from the episode entitled “One for the Money.” We don’t imagine Rose did too much tango back in St. Olaf…. Or did she?

With a Puppy

Yes, you needed to see this photo of Betty White with a cute puppy. This warm image was captured in 2012.

As Sue Ann

“Of course, I loved Sue Ann,” White said of her character on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. “She was so rotten. You can’t get much more rotten than the neighborhood nymphomaniac.” The role earned White two Emmy awards.

The Betty White Show (1954)

Betty White forged her own path in the 1950s by headlining, producing, and starring in her own show, The Betty White Show. Here’s a still from an episode that aired nearly 70 years ago.

Hosting SNL

Betty White became the oldest person to host an episode of SNL in 2010 at the age of 88. Is she the best host the show has ever had? We’d say she’s a strong contender!

With Jay-Z

Here’s another photo from White’s gig hosting SNL. She’s got her arm wrapped around the musical guest for the evening, Jay-Z.

From Deadpool, With Love

Here’s an Easter Egg of Betty White, the “St. Olaf Assassin,” in the action film, Deadpool. How fun was that?

A Send of From the Army

“We are saddened by the passing of Betty White,” the US Army tweeted following the news of White’s death. “Not only was she an amazing actress, she also served during WWII as a member of the American Women’s Voluntary Services,” the tweet continues. “A true legend on and off the screen.”

Actors and Others for Animals

Here’s Betty White at a charity event for Actors and Others for Animals, a California-based nonprofit that raises funds and awareness for the humane treatment of animals. White was on the board of directors.

Cracking Jimmy Fallon Up

“Betty White was the perfect talk show guest- interested, playful, and funny,” Jimmy Fallon shared following news of White’s passing. “She loved animals (invited my puppy Gary on the show). She loved to play games – Password (obvi), charades, I even played beer pong with her (twice). She always knew how to hit her mark and deliver the joke. A class act. I loved Betty White.”

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A Photo Snapped by Michelle Obama

“Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh,” Michelle Obama shared. “Barack and I join so many around the world who will miss the joy she brought to the world. I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven.”

We sincerely hope that these photos of Betty White filled your heart with joy. She lived such an incredible life with a culture-changing career. So few people remain “unproblematic” but Ms. White was roundly beloved by every American through the decades. May we all aspire to garner as much respect and gravitas as this bright star earned.