As the New Year was welcomed in, the world lost a legendary and iconic soul, Betty White. On December 31, 2021, White passed away in her sleep. According to People and to her death certificate, it was revealed that the cause of death was a cerebrovascular accident, a loss of blood to the brain. Although White passed on the 31st, she suffered the stroke six days earlier on Christmas. White was born on Jan. 17, 1922 and was almost 100 years old when she passed.

During her lifetime, White was an actress and comedian. She starred in iconic shows like The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She was also in Hot in Cleveland and even had her own show, The Betty White Show. White also starred in children’s movies. She voiced Grandma Norma in the Lorax, Bitey White in Toy Story Four, and Noriko in Ponyo. White also published around 32 books throughout her lifetime; most were published in the 90s. 

White was also an animal rights activist and donated her time and money to the Los Angeles Zoo and many other endangered species. According to TV Guide, White said, “I’m the luckiest person in the world-my life is divided in absolute half: half animals, half show business.” White adored animals her whole life and greatly enjoyed advocating for them. 

White was married three times in her life. She first married Dick Barker in 1945. Then she married Lane Allen in 1947. Her last husband was Allen Ludden, who she married in 1963 and was with him until his death in 1981. After Ludden, White never married again. 

White will always be remembered for her comedy, amazing acting abilities, her love for animals, and her outstanding personality.