SHE’S STILL GOLDEN!
THE ACTRESS IS LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO 98!
Betty’s birthday bash
It’s a very happy 98th birthday to the legendary Betty White! The Golden Girls star is doing “really well” and will celebrate her big day on January 17 surrounded by her closest friends at a wee shindig.
“She still likes to drink, laugh and tell stories,” says a pal.
“It will be at her home with longtime friends and stepchildren. She’s still close with them and their children. They’ll order food in and have fun.”
The star, who first rose to fame on US game shows and a self-titled talk show before joining the cast of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, adores her birthdays and spent the day last year eating cake and playing poker.
Betty, who has been single since the passing of her third husband Allen Ludden in 1981 – “once you’ve had the best, who needs the rest?” she once said – has a large group of friends, and spends her time either socialising, reading or completing a crossword.
“It’s all about your mental attitude,” she says. “So many of us start dreading age, [but] make the most of it – it’s better than the alternative!”
While the actress is a little slower than she used to be, she has no major health problems, the pal tells.
“She says she’s a little ‘creaky’. Walking is a bit of an issue and she uses a walker at home, but she’s okay. And she’s still quick with a one-liner.”
Betty’s also continuing to work and appear in public, albeit sporadically – she lent her voice to last year’s Toy
Story 4 and accepted a lifetime achievement award at the 70th Emmy Awards in 2018 where she received a prolonged standing ovation from the audience.
Indeed, while her family would like her to retire to her beach house in Carmel, California, Betty refuses. “Hollywood is in her blood. She likes to be close to the action, even at her age.”
And just what’s her secret to a long life? Fast food and alcohol, according to her Hot in Cleveland co-star Wendie Malick (69).
“She lives on hot dogs and vodka,” she laughs.