Days away from what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday, NBC has announced an upcoming primetime special that will be aired in her honor. Dubbed Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girl, the special is set for Monday, Jan. 31. The hour-long program includes White’s friends celebrating her life and legacy with some of their favorite memories, along with some curated clips that showcase her “irreverent tone, spirit and impeccable comedic timing that are a hallmark of her decades-long career.”
White was 17 days away from her 100th birthday when it was reported that the beloved television star and animal rights advocate had passed away. At the time, she had already been appearing in headlines frequently with a lot of media attention focused on her upcoming birthday. She was even featured on the cover of this month’s People which also included a new interview with White.
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“Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,” White’s agent and friend, Jeff Witjas, told the publication. “I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. 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.”
This echoes what fellow comedy legend Bob Saget would say about White when he paid tribute. After sharing a touching story of White, Saget noted how she “always said the love of her life was her husband, Allen Ludden, who she lost in 1981. Well, if things work out by Betty’s design— in the afterlife, they are reunited. I don’t know what happens when we die, but if Betty says you get to be with the love of your life, then I happily defer to Betty on this.”
Saget unexpectedly passed away nine days later at the age of 65.
Betty White’s 100th Birthday Will Be Celebrated in Theaters
Fathom Events
A birthday celebration will be held for Betty White on the big screen as well. Before her death, the Fathom Events screening of Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration was set for one day only on Jan. 17, White’s birthday. After the Golden Girls star’s death, it was reported that the screening and birthday celebration would still be moving forward as planned, now serving as a memorial. It will feature the final appearance of White as she filmed new footage to be used for the documentary.
An outpouring of love has not stopped coming in for White ever since the news of her death was announced. She was with us for a very long time at 99 years old, but at the same time, everyone seems to agree that it still wasn’t nearly long enough.
Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girl is a Brad Lachman Production and is executive produced by Brad Lachman and Bill Bracken. The program will air on Monday, Jan. 31 at 10/9c on NBC. It will be made available for streaming the next day on Peacock.
