The last words spoken by beloved cultural icon Betty White before her passing have been revealed by a close friend who was present during her final moments. According to Vicki Lawrence, known for her role in "Mama's Family," White's last words were her late husband Allen Ludden's name.
White, famous for her role in "Golden Girls," passed away at the age of 99 in her home on New Year's Eve. She was set to celebrate her 100th birthday on January 17, and preparations for the milestone, including a People magazine cover story and a documentary film, were already underway.
In an interview about the documentary, White expressed her optimistic outlook on life, attributing her long life to being a "born cockeyed optimist." She credited her positive mindset to her mother, stating that she always finds the positive in every situation. The actress also expressed gratitude for her good health and aging gracefully, jokingly mentioning her avoidance of anything green as a secret to her well-being.
Vicki Lawrence, who worked with White on "Mama's Family," shared her feelings upon learning of White's passing and conveyed a conversation she had with their mutual friend Carol Burnett. According to Lawrence, Carol informed her that White's assistant, who was with her during her final moments, revealed that White's last word was "Allen," her late husband's name.
Lawrence described the revelation as "lovingly sweet" and expressed her hope that it was true. She also mentioned that she hadn't been in touch with White for some time and had written her a letter but received no response, noting that she knew White was unwell, but it was still saddening not to hear from her.
White's agent and close confidant, Jeff Witjas, confirmed the news of her passing and shared his personal sentiments. He mentioned that despite her approaching 100th birthday, he believed she would live forever. He expressed deep sadness at her loss and highlighted her love for animals, adding that White had always desired to be reunited with her beloved husband Allen Ludden.
White and Ludden, an Emmy Award-winning game show host, tied the knot in 1963 after two previous marriages for White. They shared a beautiful love story, with Lawrence describing them as a lovely, adorable couple. Ludden proposed to White several times before she finally accepted in 1963, and they remained devoted to each other until Ludden's passing from stomach cancer in 1981. White never remarried and cherished their love story, wearing the ring he gave her throughout their time together.
In a 2012 interview, White admitted her initial hesitation to marry for the third time, but her love for Ludden outweighed her fears. She couldn't imagine spending the rest of her life without him and reflected on their decision to marry, expressing gratitude that they did when they did.
