Here's a look at the life of Emmy-award winning actress Betty White.
Personal:
Birth date: January 17, 1922
Birth place: Oak Park, Illinois
Birth name: Betty Marion White
Father: Horace White, electrical engineer
Mother: Tess White
Marriages: Allen Ludden (June 14, 1963-June 9, 1981, his death); Lane Allen (1947-1949, divorced); Dick Barker (1945, divorced)
Children: Three stepchildren with Allen Ludden: David, Martha and Sarah
Other Facts:
Nominated for 21 Primetime Emmy awards and won five.
Nominated for one Grammy Award and won one.
Was offered the role of Blanche Devereaux on "The Golden Girls," but accepted the role of Rose Nyland instead.
Turned down a part in the 1997 film, "As Good as it Gets," because she objected to a scene in which a dog is thrown down a laundry chute.
Timeline:
Betty White turns 96 on January 17!
Whether you're 20 or 80, chances are, you've got a crush on Betty White. The Hollywood icon has been stealing our hearts for decades, from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to "Golden Girls" and "The Proposal," all the while making us laugh with her sarcastic and humorous take on life itself.
Well, she's still got it.
A reporter from Parade recently asked White about her secret to longevity, when the icon offered the most Betty White-answer possible. Vodka and hot dogs, were her response, "probably in that order!".
Where were these sage words when 2016's #SaveBettyWhite campaign frightened us all?
RELATED: Betty over the years 41 PHOTOS Betty White through the years See Gallery Betty White through the years circa 1955: Promotional studio portrait of American actor Betty White smiling and wearing a patterned dress with a heart-shaped brooch. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) A headshot portrait of American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) BETTY WHITE -- Pictured: Actress Betty White at home c. 1954 -- (Photo by: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE -- Pictured: Actress Betty White at home c. 1954 -- (Photo by: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) THE BETTY WHITE SHOW - 'Misc. Prints' - Airdate March 8, 1958. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE THE BETTY WHITE SHOW - 'Betty White Fashion Gallery' - Airdate March 1, 1958. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE DATE WITH THE ANGELS - 'Diane' - Airdate November 1, 1957. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) BILL WILLIAMS;BETTY WHITE DATE WITH THE ANGELS - 'Misc. Color' - Airdate September 22, 1957. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE DATE WITH THE ANGELS - 'Misc. Color' - Airdate September 22, 1957. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE DATE WITH THE ANGELS - Betty White & Bill Williams Sailing Date - Aired on September 6, 1957. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE DATE WITH THE ANGELS - 'Gallery- Betty White, Bill Williams' - Airdate June 1, 1957. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) BILL WILLIAMS;BETTY WHITE 75TH ANNUAL TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE -- Pictured: Host Betty White -- (Photo by: Herb Ball/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Portrait of Betty White. She is regular celebrity guest on the game show Password. Portraits and at CBS Radio microphone. Image dated June 20, 1967. New York, NY. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE -- Pictured: Actress Betty White -- Photo by: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank PASSWORD - Ludden At Home Layout - Shoot Date: February 14, 1972. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) ALLEN LUDDEN WITH WIFE BETTY WHITE PASSWORD - Ludden At Home Layout - Shoot Date: February 14, 1972. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) ALLEN LUDDEN WITH WIFE BETTY WHITE Betty White, US actress, smiling as she holds an Emmy Award, against a yellow background, USA, circa 1975. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) Betty White and Ted Knight (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage) MAMA'S FAMILY -- 'The Wedding: Part 1' Episode 3 -- Pictured: Betty White as Ellen Harper Jackson -- (Photo by: Gary Null/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) Rudy Behlmer and Betty White during Betty White - File Photos - 1984 in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage) UNITED STATES - APRIL 29: THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 9/14/85 - 9/14/92, 'The Golden Girls' is one of only three sitcoms in which all the main actors won at least one Emmy Award. Rue McClanahan (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, 1987); Estelle Getty (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, 1988); Bea Arthur (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, 1988) and Betty White (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, 1986), (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) (Original Caption) Pasadena, Calif.: Betty White and Michael J. Fox pose with their Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress and Actor in a Comedy Series. White won for her role on the Golden Girls and Fox for his on Family Ties. THE GOLDEN GIRLS -- 'Family Affair' Episode 7 -- Pictured: (l-r) Marilyn Jones as Bridget Nylund, Betty White as Rose Nylund, Scott Jacoby as Michael Zbornak (Photo by Alice S. Hall/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) THE GOLDEN GIRLS -- Season 4 -- Pictured: (clockwise from top left) Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux, Bea Arthur as Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak, Betty White as Rose Nylund, Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo -- Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank Actress Betty White attends Night of 100 Stars Gala on May 5, 1990 at the New York Hilton Hotel in New York City. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage) Actress Betty White attends 'Under The Harvest Moon' Benefit for Tree People on October 6, 1990 at Coldwater Canyon, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage) UNITED STATES - MARCH 17: Betty White (Photo by The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images) Actress Betty White attends the opening of 'Sunset Bouldevard' on December 9, 1993 at the Shubert Theater in Century City, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage) UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1995: MAYBE THIS TIME-- Marie Osmond, Betty White and Ashley Johnson star as three generations of women confronting life and love together, while running a small cafe, in MAYBE THIS TIME, a new comedy series premiering this fall on the ABC Television Network. (Photo by Bonnie Schiffman/ABC via Getty Images) Actor Kirk Cameron and actress Betty White attending NBC Taping of Bob Hpe Show on September 16, 1989 at NBC Studios in Burbank, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage) NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 2: (U.S. TABS AND HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Actress Betty White arrives at the 'CBS At 75' celebration at the Hammerstein Ballroom November 2, 2003 in New York City. This special event commemorates CBS Network's 75th anniversary. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) Betty White during The Golden Girls: Season 3 Signing at Barnes and Noble - November 22,2005 at Barnes and Noble - Chelsea in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/FilmMagic) THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- Episode 3463 -- Pictured: Actress Betty White during the 'You Make the Call' segment on October 30, 2007 -- Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 25: UGLY BETTY - 'Bananas for Betty' - Henry reluctantly agrees to go on a double date with Betty and an unlikely couple -- Hilda and Gio. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina's attempt to change her image as the queen of mean fails miserably after she tangles with America's most beloved golden girl, on 'Ugly Betty,' THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Betty White appears as herself. (Photo by Dean Hendler/ABC via Getty Images) Betty White during 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards - Arrivals at Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/WireImage) BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 30: Actress Betty White attends the Third Annual Jane Goodall Global Leadership Awards at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel on October 30, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Duffy-Marie Arnoult/WireImage) TODAY -- Pictured: Betty White appears on NBC News' 'Today' show (Photo by Peter Kramer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 5: Actress Betty White (L) and Delilah (R) pose during the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards 2013 held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Getty Images) TO TELL THE TRUTH - 'Episode 103' - To Tell The Truth Episode 103 Tuesday, June 21 (10:00 11:00 p.m. ET) With Mike Tyson joining the panel, we have a knock out line up of talent that includes a seven-time lottery winner and the woman who was the original voice of Siri. If theres time, we might even squeeze in a wedding to someone who has been married more than forty times.(Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE, MIKE TYSON BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 12: Actress Betty White speaks at Paley Honors in Hollywood: A Gala Celebrating Women in Television at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on October 12, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images) Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE
On a more serious note, she advises to "enjoy life."
"Accentuate the positive, not the negative. It sounds so trite, but a lot of people will pick out something to complain about, rather than say, 'Hey, that was great!' It's not hard to find great stuff if you look," the star maintained. Amen.
Happy birthday, Betty!
Related: Scroll through to see her chic style over the years: 26 PHOTOS The One Thing that Hasn't Changed About Betty White See Gallery The One Thing that Hasn't Changed About Betty White Betty nails the nautical-chic look here, on the Betty White & Bill Williams Sailing Date - aired in September, 1957. Photo Credit: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images Betty smiles as she holds her pink coat close to her body while hosting the Tournament of Roses Parade. It must have been chilly, and that adorable yellow headband wasn't helping to keep her warm! Photo Credit: Herb Ball/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Betty is ravishing in this neon yellow suit at the Tournament of Roses Parade. We don't know about you, but think she totally outshined the roses that year! Photo Credit: Herb Ball/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Taken in 1974, this picture is of Betty in her role on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." She's sporting the layered necklace look, and we love it! Photo Credit: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images Gorgeous in gold, Betty attends the 12th Annual People's Choice Awards in 1986. Photo Credit: WireImage Betty White and Mary Tyler Moore backstage after play performance of 'Sweet Sue' on February 3, 1987 at the Music Box Theatre in New York City. Photo Credit: WireImage Betty guest-starred on The Ellen Show in an episode called "Missing the Bus," where she played a bus driver at Ellen's old elementary school. Here she poses with said bus, on which Ellen's character caused her to get her first traffic ticket for running a stop sign! Photo Credit: Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty Images 'The Golden Girls' actresses Betty White, Beatrice Arthur and Rue McClanahan, winners of the 'Pop Culture' award, look lovely as they pose for a photo during the 6th annual 'TV Land Awards' on June 8, 2008. Photo Credit: Todd Williamson/Getty Images for TV Land Betty White, wearing a bright turquoise hue (and embracing the sheer trend with those lace sleeves!), poses with her award in the Press Room at the 16th Annual SAG Awards on January 23, 2010. Photo Credit: WireImage Betty appears on location for The Lifeline Program music video shoot, in which she teamed up with singer Luciana to remix the song "I'm Still Hot." (We agree, she is!) Photo Credit: Michael Kovac/WireImage Betty looked absolutely lovely as she attended NBC's taping of 'Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute to America's Golden Girl' on January 8, 2012. Photo Credit: Getty Images Named the Lifeline Program spokesperson, Betty hosts the 'White Hot' Holiday Event at The Los Angeles Zoo on December 11, 2012. Photo Credit: Getty Images Betty celebrates her birthday with Kathy Lee and Hoda on NBC's Today Show. For more on Style and Lifestyle, visit AOL.com. Photo Credit: NBCUniversal via Getty Images Betty arrived on the red carpet for The 55th Annual Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2003, in gorgeous jewel-tones. Photo Credit: FilmMagic Betty attends a Celebrity Roast Fundraiser for Animal Welfare. It was presented by Actors And Others For Animals in 2005, an organization she is still involved with today. She sits on the board along with actress Loretta Swit. Photo Credit: WireImage Betty White, wearing a bright turquoise hue (and embracing the sheer trend with those lace sleeves!), poses with her award in the Press Room at the Betty sparkles onstage at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. Photo Credit: FilmMagic Here, Betty holds a Smokey the Bear stuffed doll and wears a U.S. Forest Ranger hat after being named an honorary Forest Ranger at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on November 9, 2010 in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: WireImage Betty appears on location for The Lifeline Program music video shoot, in which she teamed up with singer Luciana to remix the song Betty White one of our favorite late night talk show hosts, Jimmy Fallon on November 28, 2011. Looks like they had a blast! Photo Credit: Getty Images Betty looked absolutely lovely as she attended NBC Betty attends the Hooray for HollyWOOF fundraiser benefiting Dogs for The Deaf and Generation Rescue on August 4, 2012. Photo Credit: WireImage Named the Lifeline Program spokesperson, Betty hosts the Betty celebrates her birthday with Kathy Lee and Hoda on NBC Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION SHOW CAPTION of SEE ALL BACK TO SLIDE
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Whenever Betty White’s name is trending on social media, people usually experience an onslaught of feelings. The first is fear that our beloved Golden Girls star is dead. Then comes panic that the endearing actress, who breathed life into the character Rose Nylund, is possibly sick and on the brink of losing her life. And lastly, there is the sweet wave of relief when folks realize the comedian’s name isn’t trending for any reasons related to death or ailing health.
That’s exactly what happened on Wednesday when the hashtag #BettyWhite started trending on Twitter.
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White is not dead. In fact, she’s very much alive. So alive she celebrated her 96th birthday on Wednesday.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images
Of course, that didn’t stop the masses from assuming the worst when #BettyWhite went viral. Tons of people took to Twitter to express their concern for the six-time Emmy winner, only to be comforted with news that White was celebrating another year of life.
With a lifetime nearing a century and a showbiz career expanding more than 75 years, it doesn’t seem White will let the grim reaper get the best of her anytime soon. While speaking with Parade magazine in early January, the Lake Placid actress said it was her ability to “accentuate the positive, not the negative” that has kept her alive for so long.
“I know it sounds corny, but I try to see the funny side and the upside, not the downside. I get bored with people who complain about this or that. It’s such a waste of time,” she said.
“It sounds so trite, but a lot of people will pick out something to complain about rather than say, ‘Hey, that was great!’ It’s not hard to find great stuff if you look,” she said.
Vodka and hotdogs (“probably in that order”), may also be a contributing factor to White’s many, many years on Earth. The Illinois native said she loved the interesting food and drink combo and listed it as her recipe for living a long time. “Enjoy life,” she said.
Good health also plays a part in White’s longevity. When she celebrated her 95th birthday in January 2017, the Life With Elizabeth actress told Katie Couric her blessings of “good health and faculties" were keeping her alive. “I’ve got memories and all that. You can’t really expect that at 95,” she said at the time.
“I’m the luckiest old broad on two feet!”
Transcript for Betty White celebrates her 96th birthday
And as always great to have a little "Pop news." I love what you're doing -- is that a necklace. Yeah, I'm trying to class up the joint. You're always classy. Keep it classy. I'll try, robin. Very happy birthday to aery golden girl, Betty white, everybody. Turns 96 years young today. Beautiful Betty has spent 75 years in the biz as we say. She credits her longevity to her love of pets, hot dogs and vodka. My kind of gal. That's right. She tells "Parade" magaz know it sounds corny but I try to he have the funny side, I get bored with people who complain. Such a waste of time. We couldn't agree more, Betty. Betty does say she has one more big item on her bucket list. She still hasn't met her crush, robin Redford, are you listening? I think we should make that happen right here on "Gma." Skype. There we go. Done. So, everybody, happy birthday, Betty white. She's the best. She is. Can we make that happen, that love connection? More congratulations this time for the west family, Kim Kardashian and Kanye west have welcomed their third child into the world. The couple thanked their surrogate for carrying their baby girl. There it is. She's here. No pictures, no details on the name. We do know that 4-year-old north and 2-year-old saint are said to be very excited about having a little sister. Congratulations are in order there, as well. Yes. This is funny. I don't know if you saw this, George. Senator orrin hatch going viral during the contentious hearings about -- go on. There you go about immigration on capitol hill and here's why. Watch this as he tries to remove his glasses except, oops, senator hatch, you're not wearing glasses. His staff teased him tweeting, oh, you mean his invisible glasses from warby parker? They're new. You've probably never heard of them. So I'm glad he can laugh over that. How about you, George? Where are they? Are you actually wearing them? I do admit the. It's happened. Many believe that a type a personality that they have T best chance of success in life but a new book is argue that the world has changed and it's type R, people, who will flourish the most and feel most satisfied with their hard work. "R" standing for resiliency able to turn a less than ideal situation into a constructive or positive opportunity. Mother/daughter co-authors, ama and Stephanie Marsden write people who apt or welcome change, failure, disruption emerge in better shape than they were before, so if life throws you guys a curveball those that come on top, see the challenge as a chance to get smarter, stronger and something that could eventually be more personally gratifying. Cheers to type Rs That's a great pep talk this morning. Who is a type R? My name is robin Renee Roberts. I got triple Rs. You certainly are a type R. I love that. Cheers to you, by the way, that was a great "Pop news."
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
