Betty White's Incredible Life in Photos
There's so much we didn't know about the golden girl.
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Betty White had been in the entertainment industry for decades before her hit show, Golden Girls, aired. However, some fans of the show may not be familiar with her earlier work—but that's about to change. She was without a doubt one of Hollywood's greatest treasures before she passed on December 31, 2021 at the age of 99, and her illustrious 80-year career deserves serious recognition in and of itself. From starting out in radio to becoming one of the first female television producers, see how Betty White became a beloved icon.
1939: Growing Up in Hollywood
Betty Marion White was born in Illinois in 1922. At 2 years old, Betty moved with her parents, Horace and Tess White, to Los Angeles, California. Her father worked at a lighting company, while her mother stayed at home.
1940: Starting Out in Radio
Betty graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1939 and immediately entered the entertainment industry. Her first gig was a radio commercial. Throughout the '40s, she was on a number of different radio shows.
1949: Her Big Break
Betty's first break in the industry happened when Al Jarvis asked her to be a "Girl Friday" for the new talk show Hollywood on Television.
1950: Working on Live TV
After filming Hollywood on Television six days a week and earning an education in how to work in live TV, it wasn't long before Betty became one of the stars of the show.
1952: Getting Into Production
Betty became one of the first female Hollywood producers when she co-founded Bandy Productions in 1952. The comedic actress used the company to get a number of sitcoms, which she starred in, off the ground.
1952: Landing a Sitcom
In 1952, Life with Elizabeth premiered, which centered around Betty playing a 1950s housewife who gets into comedic hi-jinks each episode. She also served as a co-creator and producer on the show.
1954: Life at Home
Betty welcomed cameras into her home in the mid-'50s to give fans a glimpse at her domestic life and her many dogs. By this time, Betty had been already been married and divorced twice.
1954: An Animal Activist
A lifelong animal lover, Betty not only always had pets herself (including a St. Bernard named Stormy!), but she's also worked with a number of animal welfare charities, such as the Los Angeles Zoo Commission and Actors and Others for Animals.
1954: TV's Newest Star
As Life with Elizabeth grew in popularity, Betty became an even bigger name in the television world. Sadly, in 1955 the show ended after two seasons.
1956: A New Show
It wasn't long before Betty was back to work. The actress's new sitcom, Date with the Angels, premiered in 1957. The show ran for two seasons.
1957: The Actress on Set
The actress revealed in her book Here We Go Again in 1997 that she wasn't a fan of Dates with the Angels. Here, she goes over a script for the sitcom backstage in 1957.
1957: Putting Herself First
Betty's career took off in the 1950s, but it almost didn't happen. The actress's second husband, Lane Allen, tried to get her to quit show business and stay home during their two-year marriage—she filed for divorce in 1949 instead.
1958: One Show to the Next
After Dates with the Angels was cancelled, Betty's production company debuted The Betty White Show. The short-lived daytime variety show only lasted one season, but saw her perform songs, act in comedy sketches, and interview celebrity guests.
1958: Busier Than Ever
While working on her variety show, Betty was also a frequent guest on game shows like What's My Line and Password.
1961: Falling in Love
In the early '60s, Betty revealed her relationship with Allen Ludden, a TV game show host. The couple met on the set of Password in 1961 and began dating shortly after.
1963: Getting Married
After two years of dating, Betty and Allen announced their engagement in 1963. The marriage was the actress's third and Allen's second.
1963: The Wedding
The couple got married in a small ceremony at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas on June 14, 1963. Betty wore a brocade scoop-neck suit and a white ruffled hatband.
1965: A Seasonal Gig
It wasn't Turkey Day without Betty's commentary for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The actress teamed up with Lorne Greene and hosted the event for a number of years.
1966: At the Emmys
Betty and Allen attend the 18th Annual Emmy Awards in 1966. The actress received her first nomination for Life with Elizabeth and throughout her career has earned a total of 21 nods.
1971: Combining Her Passions
In 1971, Betty starred in a television series called The Pet Set. The series was produced by her husband, Allen Ludden, and featured the actress interviewing various celebrities and their pets.
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