12 Reasons We’ll Love Betty White Until the End of Time
Updated: Feb. 21, 2024
The iconic star lived a fabulous life—and food was a major part of it. Here are the Betty White facts we can't resist sharing!
She Credited Vodka and Hot Dogs for Her Long Life
In 2018, the actress told Parade Magazine that she loved vodka and hot dogs, “probably in that order.” Is that one of the best Betty White facts or what? But if it keeps us looking that good until 99, bring on the vodka cocktails!
Betty White’s 100th birthday celebration is still happening—here’s how to join in.
She Loved Potato Chips and French Fries, Too
Betty also included greasy, delicious potato chips and french fries among her favorite foods. If you’re looking to celebrate her life, there’s no better way to do it than by whipping up a batch of homemade french fries.
The Los Angeles Zoo Named a Baby Orangutan After Her
On her 90th birthday, the Los Angeles Zoo’s brand-new baby orangutan was named to honor her Hot in Cleveland character, Elka. The star had been a huge supporter of the zoo since 1964. She was a dedicated animal activist (and she reportedly spent her 99th birthday in quarantine feeding ducks). The Girl Scouts even celebrated her life with a special patch that could be earned by learning about her animal activism.
She Was a Legendary Animal Rights Advocate
The Los Angeles Zoo wasn’t the only place where her love for animals showed. Newsweek reported that Betty once told People that she had 26 dogs. She also wanted to be a forest ranger thanks to frequent camping trips with her family when she was younger—and eventually became an honorary United States Forest Ranger.
She Brought Rose Nylund to Life on The Golden Girls
It’s the perfect time to rewatch an episode of The Golden Girls. Arguably one of her most famous roles, no one could’ve played bumbling, lovable Rose Nylund better than her. You can get Betty White as a Chia pet, among other Golden Girls gifts.
She Was Obsessed with Red Vines
This has to be one of the best Betty White facts we know. She famously told Bon Appetit, “Red Whips are my curse.” The brand actually presented her with a portrait made out of licorice to celebrate her 99th birthday and commemorate her love for the red licorice!
She Rarely Entered the Kitchen
It might surprise you to know that even though she was a huge foodie, Betty rarely cooked in her own home. She once said, “I only go in the kitchen to feed my dog.”
She Had an Easy Food Routine
Betty told Harper’s Bazaar that she often skipped breakfast, then had a sandwich for lunch before heading home to have dinner with her golden retriever, Pontiac. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.
She Couldn’t Resist a Can of Diet Coke
In Us Magazine, her Hot in Cleveland co-star Jane Leeves let readers in on how much the actress loved Diet Coke. She also joked that all the preservatives in Betty White’s favorite foods kept the actress herself preserved! Betty isn’t the only one who relied on Diet Coke for longevity, though.
She Had a Quick Wit
In the same interview, Leeves also complimented her quick wit and “salty mouth,” which apparently kept the crew delighted throughout shooting. Unfortunately, whatever she said couldn’t be repeated—or printed!
She Never Followed Diets
Betty White was famously anti-diet, and when asked how she was so healthy at almost 100, she joked to People, “I try to avoid anything green. I think it’s working.”
She Had a Record-Breaking Career
In 2014, she received the Guinness Book of World Record title for Longest TV Career for an Entertainer (Female). She supposedly made her television debut in 1939, though the recording was lost to the ages.
Originally Published: January 04, 2022
