BETTY WHITE
THE BELOVED SITCOM ICON GETS READY TO CELEBRATE HER BIG DAY
The TV Golden Girl makes a special wish for her landmark 96th birthday.
As The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s Sue Ann Nivens, aka The Happy Homemaker, Betty White once joked, “When I die, I want to be cremated and have my ashes thrown on Robert Redford.” In real life, Betty’s wish for her 96th birthday present on Jan. 17 isn’t all that different. “Robert Redford,” she quips. “But it never works. I try every year.”
But seriously, Betty would rather have fans donate to one of her favorite animal charities like the LA Zoo than shower her with gifts. She’ll have a small celebration with friends at a local restaurant like the Pacific Dining Car in Santa Monica, and the menu will likely include hamburgers and hot dogs. “We tease her that she has the diet of a 15-year-old boy,” a friend tells Closer. “She figures she’s made it this far in her life eating whatever she likes, so there’s no reason to stop now.”
THANK YOU FOR BEING FRIENDS
Betty expects to hear from such celebrity pals as MTM co-stars Ed Asner and Valerie Harper as well as the cast of her most recent sitcom, Hot in Cleveland. And she’ll have a special celebration with longtime friend and Carmel, Calif., neighbor Doris Day, a fellow animal advocate who turns 96 herself on April 3. Shares an insider, “They’ve made plans to have lunch at Doris’ home in early February and celebrate their birthdays together.”
Despite her age, Betty has no plans to retire from acting. Notes the insider, “She still has an actress’ heart and an artist’s soul.” As Betty herself says, “I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.” And how does she want to be remembered by fans? “Warmly,” she says. “I hope they remember a laugh.” — Bruce Fretts