Betty White (L) and Ryan Reynolds (R)
(Picture: Getty Images)Betty White has died at age 99, just two weeks before her milestone 100th birthday.
The trailblazing icon was reported to have passed away at her home just before 9:30am on Friday.
White’s eight-decade career was unparalleled as fans saw her grow from her iconic role in The Golden Girls to countless other television and film projects.
Her agent and close friends Jeff Witjas confirmed the tragic news to People, "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."
The eight-time Emmy winner had just spoken to People for this week’s issue ahead of her birthday and said that she was “in such good health.”
Among the avalanche of tributes from A-list stars was a super-sweet message from Ryan Reynolds: “The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret.”
It comes just a day after he had fans creased up with laughter after joking about their previous relationship.
The world looks different now. She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret. pic.twitter.com/uevwerjobS
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) December 31, 2021
His short but sweet tribute was adored by fans:
“Very old and somehow not old enough.”Perfect way to word that. Rest In Peace. https://t.co/7tL7XjHv3S
— The Pixel Slayers 🏳️🌈👾📺 (@pixel_slayers) December 31, 2021
I don’t think anyone could’ve said it better. 💔🥺 #ripbettywhite https://t.co/loZsLArFEd
— Brittany B (@brittanyb85) December 31, 2021
this might be the best lil tribute https://t.co/I5dvN8lku6
— aaron (@leftyaaron) December 31, 2021
But Reynolds was just one of the thousands paying touching tribute to the star.
Seth Meyers shared a hilarious anecdote about her time hosting SNL.
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
Aimee Carrero revealed the hysterical first words Betty White ever said to her.
I worked with #BettyWhite on her 95th birthday. I thought you should know the very first words she ever said to me:
— Aimee Carrero (@aimeecarrero) December 31, 2021
“Nice wedding ring. When I was young, if you wanted to fuck a guy you had to marry him. So I was married 3 times.”
RIP Betty, you gave us everything. pic.twitter.com/UiEF8bhsGl
Even President Joe Biden shared some words to commemorate White’s impact on the world.
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
“Dying hours before New Year's Eve ensures that Betty White will have more toasts made to her memory on the day she died than just about anyone in history. She always was a master of timing,” wrote authors Tom and Lorenzo.
Dying hours before New Year's Eve ensures that Betty White will have more toasts made to her memory on the day she died than just about anyone in history. She always was a master of timing.
— Tom and Lorenzo (@tomandlorenzo) December 31, 2021
Comedian Kathy Griffin shared her own lengthy touching post, “Betty White. Where do I begin? I’ve known her long, but I think the first time I met her was when she was a guest star on Suddenly Susan in the late 90s.
She continued, “Everyone was very excited she was on the show. I had accidentally parked in her parking spot that day. She walks in...yells from the back of the soundstage for everyone to hear “Where’s that redheaded bitch who stole my parking spot???” SWOON. A friendship was born.”
1) Betty White. Where do I begin? I’ve known her long, but I think the first time I met her was when she was a guest star on Suddenly Susan in the late 90s. Everyone was very excited she was on the show. I had accidentally parked in her parking spot that day. She walks in…
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 31, 2021
Her seven-part Twitter thread ended by stating, “No matter how long this world continues to spin, there will be only one Betty White.”
“Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday. Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humor, and charm. A great loss to us all. We shall miss her dearly,” wrote George Takei.
Our national treasure, Betty White, has passed just before her 100th birthday. Our Sue Ann Nivens, our beloved Rose Nylund, has joined the heavens to delight the stars with her inimitable style, humor, and charm. A great loss to us all. We shall miss her dearly.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 31, 2021
Dictionary.com had a very on-brand take:
golden
— Dictionary.com (@Dictionarycom) December 31, 2021
adjective
1. bright, metallic, or lustrous like gold.
2. full of happiness, prosperity, or vigor.
3. highly talented and favored; destined for success.
4. Betty White. pic.twitter.com/uLiOr5j13X
“RIP to Betty White who was charming, delightful, hilarious, talented and unproblematic for 99.9 years,” wrote Roxane Gay.
RIP to Betty White who was charming, delightful, hilarious, talented and unproblematic for 99.9 years.
— roxane gay (@rgay) December 31, 2021
Netflix shared their own clip in honor of the actress, writing: “Betty White: First Lady Of Television — and our hearts. Rest in Peace.”
Betty White: First Lady Of Television — and our hearts. Rest in Peace ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AInUQ80HHn
— Netflix (@netflix) December 31, 2021
Fans also chimed in with their own posts dedicated to celebrating White.
This clip of Betty White with Ryan Reynolds lives rent free in my head. pic.twitter.com/82SpPWH3Nq
— Ahmed Ali (@MrAhmednurAli) December 31, 2021
RIP Betty White 🤍 my sis served all 99 years pic.twitter.com/jfaEU5EPrU
— Drebae (@Drebae_) December 31, 2021
Betty White was an icon, a legend, and consistently found a way to be the moment over her nearly 70 year career.
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) December 31, 2021
A trailblazer. An original. And a truly kind soul. May she be forever surrounded by four-legged animals in heaven. pic.twitter.com/agiNKiSY7O
— 🎊 Muppet History 🎉 (@HistoryMuppet) December 31, 2021
