Betty White, who went down in history as one of the biggest TV stars of her generation, passed away at 99. Hollywood mourned her death on New Year’s Eve and many of her past collaborators looked back at warm and happy memories they shared with White.
The star’s agent Jeff Witjas confirmed her passing in an official statement to PEOPLE saying, “even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever.” White died peacefully just weeks ahead of her 100th birthday at her home in Los Angeles.
White’s career in show business spanned eight decades, and she won eight Emmy Awards, three SAG Awards, and one Grammy Award over the course of her career. She rose to prominence with the role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show during the 70s and went on to find an even bigger success while playing Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls.
White was also known for her voice work, and she made quite a comeback during the 2010s with the roles in the rom-com The Proposal and hit sitcom Hot in Cleveland. She was a dedicated animal activist and she joined forces with many organizations supporting this cause.
Even after her passing, Betty White’s legacy lives one, and here are some of the most touching tributes to “the first lady of television”.