Betty White was an American television icon and America's grandmother, essentially. No, Betty didn't have any biological children of her own, but she's been there for all of us for such a long time. And she's simply so lovable that it's hard not to think of her as a grandmother figure. But what do you really know about Betty?
1. She Held The Record For Longest TV Career For A Female
Betty held the Guinness record for the longest TV career a female has ever had, starting all the way back in 1939. She danced on an experimental West Coast TV show, the first of its kind.
2. Allen Ludden Proposed To Her With An Easter Bunny
The two fell in love while both working on the Cape Cod straw-hat circuit. A year later, he proposed by sending Betty a stuffed Easter bunny with gold and sapphire earrings, along with a note that read, "Now, come on, will you marry me?"
Apparently, it wasn't the earrings that did it, but the bunny! As of a 1976 People magazine article, Betty still had the bunny in her possession.
3. She Was Worth At Least $75 Million
Betty is worth more than a few dollars and cents, that's for sure.
According to Yahoo Finance, she's worth a cool $75 million. What do you think she spends her money on? Probably Werther's Originals and expensive jewelry.
4. She Was Originally Supposed To Play Blanche
Betty originally auditioned for Blanche, the promiscuous Golden Girl. However, producers were worried that it would be too similar to her character on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. According to CBS, producers asked Betty and Rue McClanahan to switch which parts they were reading, and the rest is history.
