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The death of award-winning actress Betty White was confirmed on Friday. She passed away less than three weeks before January 17th, which would have been her 100th birthday.

Her career lasted for over 75 years. In 2013, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized White as being the female entertainer with the longest television career. She worked 8 more years racking up plenty of acting credits. And she remained active till the end. 

White received 23 Emmy nominations and won six. She also is on record as the oldest Emmy nominee overall. And she got her last nomination in 2012 at age 90.

Betty White was well known for her roles

Betty was an only child born in Chicago, Illinois. But her family moved to Beverly Hills when she was 2-years-old. 

She began working in radio as a teenager. And became one of the best-known female disc jockeys in L.A.

White also served the U.S. Army for her service as a member of the American Women's Voluntary Service in World War 2.

And in the early days of television, she had her own talk show. And she was the star in comedies, including "Life With Elizabeth." In the 1950s and 1960s, she was a frequent guest on game shows including "Match Game." And met her future husband, Allen Ludden, when she made a guest appearance on"Password," which he hosted.

Betty met Allen Ludden in 1961. And they married two years later. He died in 1981 and she never remarried.

White was an ever-popular comedian. And was celebrated for her television  roles as Sue Ann Nivens on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and Rose Nylund on "The Golden Girls."  Her most recent roles were playing Elka Ostrovsky in "Hot in Cleveland" and as the host of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers."

In 2010 a Facebook campaign "Betty White to Host SNL,” prompted White to become the oldest host of "Saturday Night Live." 

In 1995 White was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. She also has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Memorial flowers were set on her star.

Tributes and 100-year celebration

Betty White was a lifelong advocate for gay rights and animals.

"I don’t care who anybody sleeps with," she was quoted in 2010.

"If a couple has been together all that time – and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones – I think it’s fine if they want to get married. I don’t know how people can get so anti-something."

Mind your own business, take care of your affairs, and don’t worry about other people so much."

She was always an advocate for animals, as well. And worked with the Morris Animal Foundation and the L.A. Zoo for many years. In 2012, she received the National Humanitarian Medal from the American Humane organization.

The indomitable star told People magazine in the December 2021 issue that her secret to aging gracefully has been maintaining her sense of optimism.

White's Hollywood castmates and friends are celebrating her life and legacy. And they are thanking her for providing the world with years of laughter.

Ryan Reynolds, White’s co-star in the 2009 romantic comedy "The Proposal" had a running joke with the star. A week ago Betty jokingly told People, "I've heard Ryan Reynolds can't get over his thing for me." Ryan responded on Twitter with  "I'm absolutely sick of the media exploiting past relationships just to drive clicks."

On hearing of her death, Reynolds paid tribute on Twitter, "The world looks different now."

"She was great at defying expectations. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough," he added. "We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret."

She was a trailblazer and a pioneer, but most of all she was an original who spoke her mind without regret.