Betty White Then & Now: See ‘Golden Girls’ Icon Through The Years In Honor Of Her 99th Birthday

Today, January 17, we celebrate the 99th birthday of the one and only Betty White! Take a look back at photos of the ‘Golden Girls’ legend throughout her life and career.

Betty White can’t stop, won’t stop. The Emmy-winning actress is quite literally a living legend, and as she nears 100 years old, she only gets better. Today, January 17, Betty turns 99 years old. What better way to celebrate than by taking a look back at photos of the beloved actress throughout her impressive career, which spans over seven decades?

Betty’s career began with a bang in the 1950s when she landed the starring role in the sitcom Life with Elizabeth. Betty, naturally, played the titular housewife in the comedy about a married couple that frequently broke the fourth wall. A classic of its time! She was a sought-after actress, starring in projects such as Date with the Angels, but it wasn’t until landing the role of Sue Ann Nivens in The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1973 that she became a household name.

From there, her star power only grew stronger. The sweet brunette had a fiercely funny streak that landed her The Betty White Show in 1977 after departing Mary Tyler Moore, and, of course, Golden Girls in 1985. Rose Nylund in Golden Girls is arguably Betty’s most iconic role to date — and one that she’s said in the past she would absolutely be willing to reprise if a reboot were to ever happen. We’re still waiting for her to dance it out in a sequel to The Proposal one day, though.

For her 99th birthday, Betty has plenty in the works. “What am I doing for my birthday? Running a mile each morning has been curtailed by COVID, so I am working on getting The Pet Set re-released,” Betty told ET, referencing the 1970s animal series she hosted. “And feeding the two ducks who come to visit me every day.” Sounds like a plan!

To see more gorgeous photos of Betty White over the years, from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Hot in Cleveland, and beyond, scroll through our gallery above. Here’s to many more years filled with Betty!