News

Life Stories 22/05/2025 09:19

BETTY WHITE’S FINAL DAY: A PEACEFUL FAREWELL IN HER LONGTIME HOME

Discover the touching details of Betty White’s last day at home, her unwavering spirit at 99, and the heartfelt moments before her peaceful passing in 2021.

On the morning of December 31, 2021, Betty White woke early at 6:30 a.m. in her cherished Brentwood residence in Los Angeles. It was a calm Friday, and her routine remained unchanged despite her 99 years. At 8 a.m., her housekeeper arrived, bringing in the newspaper and preparing her usual breakfast of toast, sliced cantaloupe, and a small cup of coffee. Betty had always treasured these quiet early hours, spending time reading scripts or solving crossword puzzles while the neighborhood still slept.

Later that morning, Betty’s assistant, Kiersten Mikelas, came by to assist with correspondence and fan mail. The day before, Betty had reviewed a tribute video for her upcoming 100th birthday, just 17 days away. She laughed, made notes, and asked about the attendance for a virtual celebration organized by People magazine and the producers of the special “Betty White: 100 Years Young” — a project featuring several interviews filmed during the fall of 2021, both in her home and via video calls.

Everything seemed normal that day. Betty even joked with Kiersten about her New Year’s Eve plans, saying, “Tell the world I’m not partying this year, but I’ll expect fireworks anyway.” By noon, she retreated to her favorite sunlit living room, filled with photos of her late husband Allen Ludden, cherished pets, and framed fan letters spanning decades. This peaceful room, overlooking a backyard where two rescue golden retrievers once played, was her sanctuary.

Having outlived most of her close friends, Betty maintained close ties with Allen’s three children from his previous marriage. Her stepdaughter Sarah Ludden often sent handwritten notes and made visits. On the day Betty passed, she spoke with her manager Jeff Witjas around 11 a.m., sounding upbeat and reflective. Witjas later recalled, “She told me she felt good and was proud of her life. She even said, ‘I think Allen’s going to be happy to see me soon.’”

Betty’s last screen role was lending her voice to the animated series Forky Asks a Question on Disney+, voicing Bitey White in a 2019 episode. In 2020, she narrated the wildlife documentary Betty White Goes Wild!. Despite slowing down during the pandemic, Betty remained mentally sharp, regularly exchanging handwritten, humor-filled letters with The Golden Girls fan club.

By 12:30 p.m., Betty was resting in her recliner. When her housekeeper checked on her at 1 p.m., she appeared to be napping peacefully. But by 1:30 p.m., it was clear she had passed away quietly in her sleep. The television was still tuned to Jeopardy!, and a crossword puzzle was folded neatly on the armrest.

Paramedics confirmed her passing as the result of a stroke she had suffered six days earlier—news that had not been made public. Choosing to avoid hospitalization, Betty preferred to spend her final days in the comfort of her own home.

In the days before her passing, Betty recorded a heartfelt video message for her fans to be shared during her January 17 birthday tribute. Looking directly into the camera, she said, “I’ve loved every single minute you’ve given me. Keep smiling, and keep being kind. That’s the real secret.”

Betty had lived alone in the same home she and Allen bought in the 1960s, never wishing to leave behind her memories despite having the means to move. She was deeply connected to nature and animals, supporting rescue shelters and even naming raccoons and birds she spotted in her garden.

Five years on, those who knew her remember a woman who refused to let age slow her down—a woman who woke each day curious, reading the news, feeding squirrels, and brightening the lives of those around her.

In her final hours, Betty was not surrounded by cameras or crowds but by the quiet garden breeze and the sunlight she had always loved streaming through her windows—a peaceful farewell fitting a beloved legend.

News in the same category

Pioneering Astronomer | The Story of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

Pioneering Astronomer | The Story of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

Discover the inspiring story of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, a pioneering astronomer who overcame gender barriers with determination, self-love, and perseverance. Learn how her groundbreaking discovery about stars changed science forever and continues to ins

22/05/2025 10:58

News Post