‘Golden Girls’ Icon Betty White Dies at 99, Only Weeks Before Her 100th Birthday

• Betty White has passed away at age 99.

• Betty White's agent and close friend Jeff Witjas announced to People that the American icon died on Friday, saying he will “miss her terribly.”

• White was just weeks away from her milestone 100th birthday on January 17th, and even planned a special one-day movie event for her celebration.

The world has lost an icon. American actress and comedian Betty White has passed away at age 99. White, who was due to turn 100 on January 17, died on Friday, her agent announced to People.

“Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,” Witjas said in a statement. “I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much.” He said the star was embracing her next chapter in the hopes of reuniting with her late husband. “I don't think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again,” he said.

With the longest running career in TV as a female, White was a trailblazer in the film industry, earning accolades such as the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. The actress has starred in a number of notable films and television series, such as Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and more.

Ahead of her milestone birthday, White opened up to People about how she was feeling about turning 100. “I'm so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age,” said the veteran actress. “It's amazing.”

She even had plans to celebrate her 100th birthday with a special one-day movie event that would stream across the country. “I'm going BIG for my birthday—right to the BIG SCREEN!” she wrote in an Instagram caption ahead of the streaming of Betty White: 100 Years Young. (As of now, there's no update on whether this event will still take place.)

But even on a milestone birthday, age was nothing but a number to White. “I never thought about age much,” she told AARP in 2011. “I learned that at my mother's knee. Age was not important. It was where your head was.” And according to White, being “born a cockeyed optimist” was the key to her longevity. “I got it from my mom, and that never changed,” she told People. “I always find the positive.”

In light of the tragic news, fans are flooding to Twitter to pay their respects to the icon. One user wrote, “Twitter, let's all cheers for Ms. Betty White tonight. Rest in peace, Golden Girl.”

Another person said, “Rest In Power to the woman that inspired me to start this Twitter account. Betty Marion White. Sleep easy, angel. Thank you for all the laughs and heartwarming moments.”

It's clear that White was an inspiration to so many. Rest in peace, Betty.

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