The iconic actress Betty White, cherished by generations for her unforgettable roles in television classics like The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, is set to be honored with her own postage stamp. The U.S. Postal Service announced on Friday that a stamp featuring a digital illustration of White, based on a 2010 photograph taken by Kwaku Alston in which she is dressed in purple, will be released in 2025.
Betty White passed away in 2021, just shy of her 100th birthday by three weeks. In its announcement, the Postal Service hailed her as “an icon of American television” who delighted audiences for seven decades with her “wit and warmth.” The agency also highlighted her widespread admiration as a compassionate animal rights advocate, noting how she garnered fans from younger generations even as she entered her 90s.
The announcement is part of a preliminary 2025 stamp lineup, with more additions yet to be revealed. Another notable figure to be commemorated is Allen Toussaint, a versatile producer, songwriter, pianist, and singer who passed away in 2015 at the age of 77.
Before becoming a television legend, Betty White began her career in radio before transitioning to TV in 1949 with an appearance on Al Jarvis’s Hollywood on Television, a local talk show. When Jarvis left, White succeeded him as the show’s host. By the 1950s, she had several shows of her own, including two sitcoms and a variety show.
White’s breakthrough came later in her career, after turning 50, with her portrayal of Sue Ann Nivens, the cheerful yet cunning host of a household-hints segment on a fictional Minneapolis television station in The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973–1977). This role earned her two Emmy Awards.
However, her most iconic character was Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls, where she played a sweet yet naive woman living with three other women in Miami. The hit show, which aired from 1985 to 1992, cemented her status as a beloved television star.
White’s popularity continued well into her 80s and 90s. In 2010, a fan-driven social media campaign led to her hosting a memorable Mother’s Day episode of Saturday Night Live. She returned in 2015 to participate in a sketch for the show’s 40th anniversary. Around the same time, she captivated audiences as the quirky and sharp-tongued widow Elka in the sitcom Hot in Cleveland, which aired on TV Land from 2010 to 2015.
Betty White’s enduring charm, comedic talent, and advocacy for animals ensured her legacy as one of America’s most cherished entertainers.
Highlights of Her Career:
- Television Pioneer: Betty White was among the first women in Hollywood to produce her own sitcom, Life with Elizabeth (1953–1955), which earned her a spot as a television pioneer.
- Iconic Roles:
- Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973–1977): She played a sharp-tongued and witty homemaker.
- Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls (1985–1992): Her portrayal of the naive but kindhearted Rose earned her immense popularity.
- Game Shows: She was a frequent guest on game shows like Password (hosted by her husband, Allen Ludden), Match Game, and The $25,000 Pyramid.
- Longevity in Comedy: She continued to appear in television and films into her 90s, showcasing her comedic talent on shows like Hot in Cleveland and in hosting Saturday Night Live in 2010 after a successful fan-driven campaign.
Awards and Legacy:
- She won five Primetime Emmy Awards, a Daytime Emmy, and numerous other accolades.
- Recognized as a pioneer for women in television and an advocate for animal rights.
- Known for her sharp wit, warmth, and ability to connect with audiences across generations.
Betty White passed away at the age of 99, just weeks before her 100th birthday, leaving behind an enduring legacy of humor and kindness.