Betty White

If Betty White’s life were a TV show, it would be titled “Everybody Loves Betty”. From radio, to TV sitcoms, to game shows, she’s excelled at everything she’s done. Guiness World Records affirms that she’s had the longest tenure in show biz of any woman, having begun her career in 1939. Holy smokes. That’s 77 years.

While Betty obviously had been performing for decades, she finally broke into the fast lane with her role of Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the 1970s. She followed up that successful run with another, this time as the airhead Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls in the 1980s. In addition to acting, Betty has always been a mainstay on game shows, having appeared on To Tell The Truth, What’s My Line, Password (her third husband, Allen Ludden, was the host), The $25,000 Pyramid, Match Game, and several lesser-known contests.

Betty has outlived the rest of her Golden Girls cast, and we can’t imagine show business without her. Here’s what she said upon turning 90: “I can credit my folks for my genes. That said, I can’t get over that at this age I don’t feel this age. I’m not trying to be any younger. I’m not lying about my age. If I were lying about my age, I would say I was 89. I’m just at one of those good times in one’s life. I’m at one of the high spots. I’m healthy enough to enjoy it. I’m surrounded by friends I adore. Isn’t that kind of the best way to sign off?”