Iconic actress Betty White has died at the age of 99.
Her longtime agent Jeff Witjas said in a statement, “Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever.”
He added, “I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don’t think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again.”
White would have celebrated her 100th birthday on January 17.
The actress was known for her roles in “Golden Girls” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
Several took to Twitter to react to White’s passing, including President Joe Biden.
“Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Year’s Eve,” Biden said.
Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Year’s Eve.
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 31, 2021
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a statement, “Today, we lost a beloved TV icon. Betty White was a pioneering actress, who blessed generations of Americans with her talent and humor for 8 decades.”
She continued, “May it be a comfort to her loved ones and many admirers that so many mourn with them during this sad time.”
Today, we lost a beloved TV icon. Betty White was a pioneering actress, who blessed generations of Americans with her talent and humor for 8 decades.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 31, 2021
May it be a comfort to her loved ones and many admirers that so many mourn with them during this sad time.
She also received praise from others, including comedians:
RIP Betty White, the only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party. A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) December 31, 2021
What an exceptional life.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) December 31, 2021
I’m grateful for every second I got to spend with Betty White.
Sending love to her family, friends and all of us.
Kathy Griffin posted a Twitter thread reflecting on her memories with White.
Earlier this week, White commented on her upcoming 100th birthday.
“My 100th birthday… I cannot believe it is coming up, and People Magazine is celebrating with me! The new issue of [People] is available on newsstands nationwide tomorrow,” White said.
https://twitter.com/BettyMWhite/status/1475880716525211651
White told the magazine she is “so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age,” adding, “It’s amazing.”