After nearly a century earthside, the trailblazing actress forged some lasting connections but her personal life was turbulent and punctuated by a devastating personal loss - a loss that has left many fans wondering who White was closest to in her final years. Because she never took another spouse after previous marriages, fans are wondering if she was secretly lonely when she passed away?
The entertainment world was rocked when it was announced on December 31st, 2021, that Hollywood icon and Golden Girls frontwoman Betty White had passed away at the age of 99. The 'Queen of Comedy' lived for almost a century then built a super-star career that lasted a whopping seven decades. Her career was filled with numerous accolades, making it hard to imagine silver screens without her. But despite her sparkling legacy, the icon's personal life faced several setbacks. Married three times, divorced twice, and with no biological children, many fans are wanting to know more about the relationships the great actress has left behind.
We're looking at the friendships White forged, the husband she doted on, and the not-so-smooth-sailing marriages that failed over the years to paint a clearer picture of the company she shared in her last few years.
The Original Golden Girl Had a Loyal Fan Base Until the End
Before delving into the topic, it's worth noting that White was approaching a massive milestone just before she passed. The actress was due to turn 100 years old on January 17th and the event had been generating a lot of buzz online. On December 28th, White posted on Instagram: "My 100th birthday… I cannot believe it is coming up".
Her excitement was shared by her loyal fanbase who were planning to join Betty's birthday celebrations by watching the film Betty White: 100 Years Young - an event many are still sure to take part in. With 1.9 million followers on Instagram alone, her big day certainly wouldn't have been a lonely affair.
The actress had 120 screen credits to her name so, understandably, White also shared close and enduring relationships with other Hollywood stars. Among those quick to express their grief were her co-stars from The Proposal. Soon after her death, White's on-screen grandson Ryan Reynolds took to Instagram to pay tribute to the woman who was "great at defying expectations." He added that "She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We’ll miss you, Betty. Now you know the secret."
Betty White Lost The Love Of Her Life
White's love life had its time in the spotlight as she said her vows three times over. White's first marriage was a wartime romance. After meeting US Army veteran pilot Dick Barker during her time in the American Women's Voluntary Service, the pair married in 1945.
However, the marriage quickly traveled south and they split only seven months later, finally divorcing in the same year. She later walked down the aisle for a second time with Lane Allen, a talent agent who was White's husband from 1947 until 1949.
It was the third time that proved the real charm for White after she met the host of the game show Password, Allen Ludden in 1961.
Ludden wooed White and although the pair fell in love; as White told CBS News, he was the love of her life. However, she declined his proposal not once but twice. It wasn't until 1963 that White finally accepted and the couple tied the knot in Las Vegas. The duo went on two share 18 years of marriage together until Allen tragically died in 1981 following a short-lived battling with stomach cancer.
Her Last Words Were For Her Late Husband to Hear
White could never bring herself to remarry after Ludden and spoke candidly about the deep pain of losing him. Back in 2017, she confessed to CBS News: “I miss having someone to hold" before adding with her trademark sass, “if you’ve had the best, who needs the rest?”. And it seems the pain of losing Allen never faded. According to the Sun, Betty's assistant was present at the time of the icon's death and, in a heartbreaking interview, shared "the very last word out of her (Betty's) mouth was ‘Allen.’”
She Had Lasting Family Connections
White held many titles over the years: 'pioneer', 'animal activist', 'comedian'. An additional, though equally important title perhaps forgotten about is 'stepmom'. White never had children herself, instead choosing to focus on her career but this didn't mean she was lonely after Ludden passed away.
At the time they married, Luddden was already father to three teenagers from his previous marriage: Martha, Sarah and David.
The three kids were born between 1948 and 1952, so were well into their 60's and early 70's when White passed away. Although they never followed in their stepmom's A-List footsteps, she often spoke proudly of them in interviews and made it clear the four of them were a close-knit unit.
But White Also Spent Her Final Years Away From Home
Since December 31st, more details have been shared about the circumstances surrounding White's death. On January 2nd, White's agent shared the news that the actress had died peacefully in her sleep, two days after suffering a stroke. However, according to the Daily Mail, White didn't pass away at her family home.
Rather than spending her last days in Carmel, California, where White had built and shared a life with her late husband Allen, the actress passed away at her home in West LA - where she had been staying since the pandemic started to try and avoid Covid. According to same report, if White had her own way she'd have spent the rest of her years in her Carmel home where she felt more comfortable.