Whenever Betty White’s name is trending on social media, people usually experience an onslaught of feelings. The first is fear that our beloved Golden Girls star is dead. Then comes panic that the endearing actress, who breathed life into the character Rose Nylund, is possibly sick and on the brink of losing her life. And lastly, there is the sweet wave of relief when folks realize the comedian’s name isn’t trending for any reasons related to death or ailing health.
That’s exactly what happened on Wednesday when the hashtag #BettyWhite started trending on Twitter.
White is not dead. In fact, she’s very much alive. So alive she celebrated her 96th birthday on Wednesday.
Betty White wearing a suit and tie© Provided by IBT Media
Of course, that didn’t stop the masses from assuming the worst when #BettyWhite went viral. Tons of people took to Twitter to express their concern for the six-time Emmy winner, only to be comforted with news that White was celebrating another year of life.
With a lifetime nearing a century and a showbiz career expanding more than 75 years, it doesn’t seem White will let the grim reaper get the best of her anytime soon. While speaking with Parade magazine in early January, the Lake Placid actress said it was her ability to “accentuate the positive, not the negative” that has kept her alive for so long.
“I know it sounds corny, but I try to see the funny side and the upside, not the downside. I get bored with people who complain about this or that. It’s such a waste of time,” she said.
“It sounds so trite, but a lot of people will pick out something to complain about rather than say, ‘Hey, that was great!’ It’s not hard to find great stuff if you look,” she said.
Vodka and hotdogs (“probably in that order”), may also be a contributing factor to White’s many, many years on Earth. The Illinois native said she loved the interesting food and drink combo and listed it as her recipe for living a long time. “Enjoy life,” she said.
Good health also plays a part in White’s longevity. When she celebrated her 95th birthday in January 2017, the Life With Elizabeth actress told Katie Couric her blessings of “good health and faculties" were keeping her alive. “I’ve got memories and all that. You can’t really expect that at 95,” she said at the time.
“I’m the luckiest old broad on two feet!”