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Betty White’s home up for grabs

<p dir="ltr">Betty White’s Californian home, which she built with her husband back in 1981, has hit the market for a whopping $7.95 million (AU$10.6 million).</p> <p dir="ltr">The stunning home was put on the market just a day after a moving tribute at the Oscars for the beloved actress.</p> <p dir="ltr">Betty and her late husband Allen Ludden built the beautiful beach home together, with construction finalised in 1981.</p> <p dir="ltr">Described as “one of America's stunning jewels”, the home boasts impressive panoramic ocean views of the Point Lobos Nature Reserve, Ribera Beach, and Monastery Beach from nearly every room.</p> <p dir="ltr">The three storey manor has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, perfect for a growing family.</p> <p dir="ltr">Its interior is still that of the '80s, with exposed wooden beams, an arresting stone wall and a fireplace in the living room.</p> <p dir="ltr">The humble abode is expected to sell for $7,950,000 (AU$10.6 million).</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Golden Girls</em> actress died on New Year's Eve 2021, and was honoured at the 2022 Oscars with a moving tribute from Jamie Lee Curtis, who brought a puppy on stage with her in reference to Betty’s deep love for animals.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was not only a Golden Girl, she was a legend who brightened every room she walked in and brought a smile to the faces of all who watched her on the screen," Curtis said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"And day in and day out for almost a century, she was a woman who cared so much for not just her two-legged friends but for animals just like this."</p> <p dir="ltr">"So the greatest gift you could give Betty White is to open your heart and your home and adopt a rescue dog just like Mac-N-Cheese from Paw Works. So thank you, Betty, thank you for being a friend to us all.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Sothebys</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Outrage after Betty White excluded from BAFTAs 'In Memoriam' tribute

<p>The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has been forced to explain why Betty White was noticeably missing from the "In Memoriam" segment at the 2022 ceremony. </p> <p>There was an uproar on social media as fans realised the TV legend was overlooked in the segment, which honoured dozens of movie and TV stars who died in the past year. </p> <p>Big names such as actor Sidney Poitier, singer Meat Load and director Ivan Reitman were all included, with many believing Betty White should have been given the same honour. </p> <p>"How come Betty White wasn't mentioned in Memoriam she died on 31st December 2021, that's terrible," one fan tweeted, while another wrote, "Where was the wonderful Betty White??"</p> <p>The BAFTAs have since explained why the actress was left out of the segment, telling <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1323038/betty-white-fans-call-out-baftas-after-she-s-missing-from-in-memoriam-segment?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&amp;utm_source=eonline&amp;utm_medium=rssfeeds&amp;utm_campaign=rss_topstories" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E! News</a> in a statement that they have plans to honour the <em>Golden Girls</em> star during the dedicated Television Awards later in the year.</p> <p>Also noticeably absent from the <em>Peaky Blinders</em> and <em>Harry Potter</em> star Helen McCrory who died in April last year from breast cancer, aged 52. </p> <p>"Due to the number of people we would like to recognise at any one time and the limited time in which we have to do so, individuals may be featured in a television broadcast only once," the BAFTAs stated. </p> <p>"Decisions as to who is selected for inclusion are made by BAFTA's Obituaries Committee, which considers over 200 names a year."  </p> <p>Both Betty White and Helen McCrory appear on the BAFTA's website in the "In Memory Of" section. </p> <p>Betty White passed away on December 31st 2021 in her Los Angeles home at age 99. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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"She’d be furious!": New insight into Betty White and Bea Arthur’s relationship

<p dir="ltr">Just one month after her passing, Hollywood gossips are looking for dirt on beloved actress Betty White - and they have uncovered just how frosty her relationship was with her co-stars.</p><p dir="ltr">Joel Thurm, the casting director for <em>Golden Girls</em>, <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/revealed-golden-girls-co-stars-vicious-insult-to-betty-white/6ENEB66WZQRHQE7YZRZMJ2XO5A/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> that White’s main co-stars Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan thought little of her and described her using quite colourful language during his appearance on <em><a href="https://theoriginals.libsyn.com/the-originals-24-bad-timing-special" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Originals</a></em> podcast.</p><p dir="ltr">He shocked the podcast hosts with the intensity of Bea Arthur’s language relating to White, saying their fury came after she mocked fellow <em>Golden Girls</em> actress Estelle Getty in front of a live audience when she began to forget her lines.</p><p dir="ltr">“That may seem like a minor transgression, but it really does get to you … I have no idea how Estelle Getty felt, but I know the other two did not like (White) at all,” Thurm said.</p><p dir="ltr">Getty passed away in 2008 from Lewy body dementia after retiring from acting in 2001 due to ailing health.</p><p dir="ltr">Andrew Goldman, the host of <em>The Originals</em>, took to Instagram following the episode.</p><p dir="ltr">“When I got into journalism, maybe I didn’t dream at 49 I wouldn’t be refereeing a fight between deceased sitcom stars,” he <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZz5yr1rTe2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.</p><p dir="ltr">“I’m very happy for the attention my latest episode of ‘The Originals’ is getting because Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan apparently used the ‘c-word’ to describe Betty White.”</p><p dir="ltr">White had previously spoken about her tense relationship with Bea Arthur, revealing that her co-star had little fondness for her during a 2011 interview with Village Voice.</p><p dir="ltr">“Bea had a reserve. She was not that fond of me. She found me a pain in the neck sometimes,” White said at the time.</p><p dir="ltr">“It was my positive attitude - and that made Bea mad sometimes. Sometimes if I was happy, she’d be furious!”</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

TV

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“There is no other”: Betty Davis, the ‘Queen of Funk’, dies at 77

<p dir="ltr">Funk and soul legend Betty Davis has died at 77 years old.</p><p dir="ltr">Danielle Maggio, a friend of the music star and model, confirmed the news on Wednesday, as reported by <em>Metro UK</em>.</p><p dir="ltr">Maggio also took to Twitter to share the sad news, writing: “Devastated by the passing of my dear friend, pioneering songwriter, singer and producer, #BettyDavis.”</p><p dir="ltr">She confirmed that the “Queen of Funk” died peacefully, with “no pain or fear”.</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-39ce42f6-7fff-80cd-3c50-4c0a85ff5061"></span></p><p dir="ltr">“Knowing her was the greatest honour of my life,” Maggio wrote. “I love you, Betty. Your music and spirit will live on forever.”</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Devastated by the passing of my dear friend, pioneering songwriter, singer and producer, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BettyDavis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BettyDavis</a>. There was no pain or fear as she left this physical world. Knowing her was the greatest honor of my life. I love you, Betty. Your music and spirit will live on forever. <a href="https://t.co/8pZAK6nS0S">pic.twitter.com/8pZAK6nS0S</a></p>— Danielle Maggio (@saucequeen_pgh) <a href="https://twitter.com/saucequeen_pgh/status/1491500133074280453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2022</a></blockquote><p dir="ltr">Amie Downs, the communications director for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania - where Davis lived - told <em><a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/betty-davis-dead-obit-1297372/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rolling Stone</a></em> the star died of natural causes.</p><p dir="ltr">In a statement on Wednesday, Davis’ longtime friend Connie Portis remembered the trailblazing singer as a “beloved member of her community”.</p><p dir="ltr">“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Betty Davis, a multi-talented music influencer and pioneer rock star, singer, songwriter, and fashion icon,” Portis said.</p><p dir="ltr">“Most of all, Betty was a friend, aunt, niece, and beloved member of her community of Homestead, Pennsylvania, and of the worldwide community of friends and fans.”</p><p dir="ltr">Davis, born Betty Mabry in North Carolina, moved to New York, where her music career began.</p><p dir="ltr">She became known for her sexualised lyrics, rising to fame to produce hits like <em>Get Ready for Betty</em>, <em>If I’m in Luck I Might Get Picked Up</em> and <em>It’s My Life</em>.</p><p dir="ltr">Davis also wrote <em>Uptown (to Harlem)</em>, which appeared on The Chamber Brother’s 1967 album <em>The Time Has Come</em>.</p><p dir="ltr">She released her self-titled first album in 1973, followed by <em>They Say I’m Different</em> in 1974 and <em>Nasty Gal</em> in 1975.</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2cf2c43f-7fff-9d98-88a0-2ad15fb9134e"></span></p><p dir="ltr">Davis was also known for being the second wife to jazz legend Miles Davis, who was 19 years older than her. The pair were wed in 1968 after being together for two years, but filed for divorce after just one year.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">It's been talked about over and over but let's just emphasize again how Betty Davis had a GIGANTIC impact on music, as well as being unapologetically herself as both an independent woman as well as an artist. A true pioneer and trailblazer <a href="https://t.co/01g53Sd93g">pic.twitter.com/01g53Sd93g</a></p>— COSMO BAKER (@CosmoBaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/CosmoBaker/status/1491462261134798850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2022</a></blockquote><p dir="ltr">Though their marriage was brief, Davis still influenced her former husband’s music, appearing on the cover of his album <em>Filles de Kilimanjaro</em> and inspiring the track <em>Mademoiselle Mabry (Miss Mabry)</em>.</p><p dir="ltr">Despite releasing her album in the same year, Davis left the music industry in 1975, moving to Pittsburgh to get away from the spotlight.</p><p dir="ltr">Her disappearance from the public eye didn’t stop her from gaining a cult following or continuing to inspire a new generation of artists. The renewed interest in her work resulted in the re-release of her albums in 2007, as well as the debut of her unreleased fourth album, which was recorded in 1976 and released under a new name in 2009.</p><p dir="ltr">Speaking to the <em>New York Times</em> in 2018 about her decision to retire, Davis said: “When I was told that it was over, I just accepted that. And nobody else was knocking at my door.”</p><p dir="ltr">During the same year, Davis released her first song in 40 years, titled <em><a href="https://daniellemaggio.bandcamp.com/album/a-little-bit-hot-tonight" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Little Bit Hot Tonight</a></em>, which was performed by Maggio on Davis’ behalf.</p><p dir="ltr">Portis said a tribute would be made to “her beautiful, bold and brash persona” at a later date.</p><p dir="ltr">“Today we cherish her memory as the sweet, thoughtful, and reflective person she was… There is no other.”</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1c96b23e-7fff-be19-07dd-d94e38a99e65"></span></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

News

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Betty White's 100th birthday honoured with unseen photo

<p>In honour of what would have been her 100th birthday, tributes have flowed online for the late Betty White.</p> <p>Thousands of show business alumni have posted their memories of Betty, with her assistant sharing what was likely one of the last photos taken of the TV legend.</p> <p>Kiersten Mikelas shared the previously unseen snap, saying, "On this special day, I wanted to share this photo of Betty."</p> <p>Kiersten said the image was taken on December 20th, just 11 days before her death.</p> <p>Posting the snap to Betty White's official Facebook page, she said, "She was radiant and beautiful and as happy as ever. Thanks to all of you are are doing kind things today and every day to make the world a better place."</p> <p>Betty White passed away in her bed on December 31st after suffering a stroke six days earlier.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbettymwhite%2Fposts%2F474287794069331&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="665" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p> <p>As many celebrated her life on her 100th birthday, even the Google search engine got involved in the tribute.</p> <p>Googling the words "Betty White", an icon appears to users that read, "Thank you for being a friend. 1922-2021", in homage to her iconic role on the <em>Golden Girls</em> series.</p> <p>In honour of her centenary, a documentary was also released in select theatres around the US, titled Betty White: A Celebration.</p> <p>The film goes behind the scenes of the star's life in the spotlight and documents some of her notable roles that influenced a generation.</p> <p><span>"Our film will provide a way for all who loved her to celebrate her life — and experience what made her such a national treasure," producers Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein said in a statement. </span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook </em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Betty White's real cause of death leaked

<p><em>Image: Getty </em></p> <p>The New York Post is now reporting that the official cause of death of iconic TV star Betty White was a ‘cerebrovascular accident’.</p> <p>The medical term for a stroke, listed on a death certificate obtained by entertainment news outlet TMZ on Monday, occurred six days prior to Ms White's passing, and is caused by a loss of blood flow to areas of the brain, which can result in serious tissue damage.</p> <p><br />While it's not clear if Ms White underwent any behavioural or emotional changes between the time of her stroke and her death on New Year's Eve, her agent and close friend, Jeff Witjas, said in a statement to<span> </span><em>People<span> </span></em>that “Betty died peacefully in her sleep at her home.”</p> <p>Witjas also denied that Ms White’s death was at all related to her receiving her COVID-19 booster shot just days before.</p> <p>“People are saying her death was related to getting a booster shot three days earlier, but that is not true. She died of natural causes,” he told<span> </span><em>People</em>, adding, “Her death should not be politicised — that is not the life she lived.”</p> <p><br />As it had been previously reported, White’s <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/betty-white-s-final-words">last word</a> before she died was her late husband Allen Ludden’s first name.</p> <p><br />Witjas later confirmed her death, telling People, “Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever.</p> <p><br />“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.”</p>

Caring

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Betty White’s touching act of kindness during Hurricane Katrina revealed

<p dir="ltr">Betty White has been remembered and celebrated as a hilarious comedian and brilliant actor, but also a wonderfully generous conversationist, philanthropist, and animal activist, since her<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/betty-white-s-final-words" target="_blank">passing on December 31 at the age of 99</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Animals were one of the big loves of Betty’s life, with her writing on Instagram in April 2021 for National Pet Day, “I have been a pet lover all my life” underneath a photo of her with two of her dogs.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNi0EYGnn11/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNi0EYGnn11/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Betty White (@bettymwhite)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">But in addition to owning and caring for pets herself, she also dedicated a lot of time and money to advocating for important causes related to animal welfare and protection. One example was shared by Audubon Nature Institute following her death.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Institute tweeted, “We lost a conservationist, animal advocate, and friend. When the penguins &amp; sea otters were evacuated to @MontereyAq for Hurricane Katrina, Betty White paid for the plane to relocate them. She did not ask for fanfare; she just wanted to help.” Attached was a photo of an employee releasing a penguin into the water.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">We lost a conservationist, animal advocate, and friend. When the penguins &amp; sea otters were evacuated to <a href="https://twitter.com/MontereyAq?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MontereyAq</a> for Hurricane Katrina, Betty White paid for the plane to relocate them. She did not ask for fanfare; she just wanted to help. ❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThankYouForBeingAFriend?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThankYouForBeingAFriend</a> <a href="https://t.co/NLneNetezz">pic.twitter.com/NLneNetezz</a></p> — Audubon Nature Institute (@AudubonNature) <a href="https://twitter.com/AudubonNature/status/1477087180816322562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">A spokesperson for the organisation told<span> </span><em>PEOPLE,<span> </span></em>"After Hurricane Katrina, a private plane was chartered to relocate Audubon Aquarium's sea otters and penguins to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Audubon did not find out until after the trip that Betty White had paid for a portion of the trip."</p> <p dir="ltr">White was passionate about her animal advocacy work, telling the<span> </span><em>Wall Street Journal<span> </span></em>in 2012 that she was thrilled to be able to highlight issues affecting animals through her work with numerous organisations, including PAWS/LA and the Morris Animal Foundation.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also spoke about her own pets, including her beloved Golden Retriever Pontiac, who had a tracking implant that White helped fund the development of. She added, "But he's never very far from me. He doesn't go very far because wherever I am he is."</p> <p dir="ltr">Pontiac passed away in 2017, and White decided not to adopt more animals due to her advancing age.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Amanda Edwards/WireImage</em></p>

News

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Betty White's final words

<p><em>Image: Getty </em></p> <p>Vicki Lawrence, a close friend and former co-star of Betty White, has shared the final word uttered by legendary actress before she died at age 99.</p> <p>Lawrence, 72, who met White on the set of the<span> </span><em>Carol Burnett Show</em><span> </span>and remained close with the TV icon until her death, spoke about the pain of losing her friend and recalled White's touching last moments.</p> <p>In an interview with<span> </span><em>The Hollywood Reporter,</em><span> </span>Lawrence said she found out White's last word was a callout to her husband, Allen Ludden, who died in 1981.</p> <p>"I talked to Carol yesterday, and we agreed it is so f---ing hard to watch the people you love go away," Lawrence told the publication.</p> <p>"She said she spoke to Betty's assistant, who was with her when she passed, and she said the last word out of her mouth was 'Allen.' That's so lovingly sweet. I hope that is true."</p> <p>White's love for her husband burned bright even in the decades since his passing. Remembering the couple's relationship, Lawrence said it was a true Hollywood love story.</p> <p>"They were a lovely couple, and they were adorable together. She drove the car he gave her for as long as I can remember," Lawrence continued. "She wore the same ring he gave her as long as I've known her. That was her love story."</p> <p>Lawrence says the<span> </span><em>Golden Girls</em><span> </span>star would want her friends, family and fans not to mourn her death, but to "laugh" when they think of her name.</p> <p>"She would want us to laugh and remember and love and enjoy and believe that she's in heaven with Allen," she added.</p> <p>White died on January 1st age 99, just a few weeks short of her 100th birthday.</p> <p>Her agent and friend Jeff Witjas confirmed the legendary actress died peacefully in her sleep in her home.</p> <p>"Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever," Witjas said in a statement to<span> </span><em>People.</em></p> <p>"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."</p> <p>Witjas emphasised that White had not been ill but had been extremely cautious during the COVID-19 pandemic. She spent most of the past two years at the home she loved with her many pets, and had round-the-clock caretakers in her final years.</p>

Caring

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Betty White opens up about loneliness while in quarantine

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in element-type-p"> <p>Betty White's agent Jeff Witjas has said that White is ready for some face-to-face interaction after a safe year at home.</p> <p>White, 99, has been isolating at home due to the coronavirus pandemic and keeping busy by "reading, watching TV and doing crossword puzzles at home", according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tmz.com/2021/05/11/betty-white-keeps-busy-quarantine-covid-update-summer/" target="_blank"><em>TMZ</em></a>.</p> <p>This doesn't mean White isn't counting down the days until she's able to safely interact with friends.</p> <p>Witjas confirmed that White's "ability to regularly interact with friends face to face," during the pandemic has "severely affected in her life," explaining that like many, she's "looking forward to summer when she can safely enjoy the outdoors and regain her freedom."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLSXVN2nVmF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLSXVN2nVmF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Betty White (@bettymwhite)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Despite being an animal lover, White hasn't had any furry friends to keep her company but has said there are a few ducks that keep her company that "walk up to her door every day to say hello".</p> <p>Wijtas declined on commenting whether or not White had been vaccinated.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Movies

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"'The virus is afraid of Betty!"

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Fans around the world have rejoiced with the news that Golden Girl legend Betty White is safe and well amid the coronavirus pandemic.</p> <p>White, 98, is self-isolating in her home in California, with visits from animal friends, including ducks.</p> <p>"No one permitted in except those who must. Has helpers who are great with her," White's rep said in an email to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.today.com/popculture/betty-white-doing-very-well-despite-coronavirus-pandemic-t182392" target="_blank">Today</a>.</p> <p>"The animal community is watching over her," White's publicist said, adding, "The virus is afraid of Betty!"</p> <p><span>Her friend Tom Sullivan confirmed to </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/betty-white-gushes-shes-blessed-with-incredibly-good-health/" target="_blank">Closer</a><span> that she is also keeping her mind active during the lockdown.</span></p> <p>“She reads the L.A. Times cover to cover,” he said.</p> <p>“She owns literally thousands of crossword puzzle books and is constantly doing them to keep her mind jumping. This is really serious with her.”</p> <p>As well as keeping her mind active, White has been relaxing with a cocktail or two.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHvKyGOgpwy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHvKyGOgpwy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Betty White (@bettymwhite)</a> on Jul 11, 2016 at 2:54pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Betty loves to joke that vodka keeps her young,” her friend says with a laugh.</p> <p>“She loves the image of her sitting at home in a rocking chair, drinking a martini and watching game shows, but she’s not really a big drinker. That’s not her. She’ll only take a few sips of a cocktail if the occasion calls for it.”</p> <p>White also has a message to the world.</p> <p>“Betty’s message to the world is to slow down and enjoy what you have: family, friends, your pets,” says the friend.</p> <p>“She says that the pandemic is serious, but we have come through worse. It’s Mother Nature’s way of telling us all to slow down.”</p> <p>White has spent 80 years working in television and has the longest career in the history of television.</p> </div> </div> </div>

TV

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Betty White turns 97! Here's her secret to a long life

<p>Six time Emmy award winner Betty White has nearly been around for an entire century. As the star has turned 97 recently, she shared with <a rel="noopener" href="https://parade.com/634316/samuelmurrian/betty-white-on-her-legacy-memories-and-her-recipe-for-living-a-long-happy-life/" target="_blank">Parade </a>her favourite memories and how she’s managed to live a long and happy life.</p> <p>“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.” White revealed.</p> <p>White’s life tips tend to focus on the positive side of life.</p> <p>“Enjoy life,” she says. “Accentuate the positive, not the negative. 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.”</p> <p>As she’s had a lot of time to focus and reflect upon her life, there’s not a lot White tends to dwell on.</p> <p>“I don’t have time to miss much,” she says, “because I’m still working.”</p> <p>“I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.”</p> <p>She also gave some straight-forward advice for the new-comers in the brutal world of show business.</p> <p>“Do your work, learn your lines and come in prepared,” she says.</p> <p>“Don’t think you can wing it, because you can’t. We’re in show business, which is fun, but take your business seriously, because it is a serious business.”</p> <p>Speaking of show business, she’s not worried about the entertainment industry’s fate either as a new generation of funny men and women break through the ranks.</p> <p>“I think the business is in pretty good shape; I don’t have to fix it.” She smiles. “I will, but I don’t have to.</p>

Movies

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Why Betty White is not slowing down at 95

<p><span>At 95 years old, Betty White is proving that age is no barrier to health or happiness.</span></p> <p><span>Earlier this year, </span><em><span>The Golden Girls</span></em><span> star shared how excited she was to be celebrating her 95th birthday in January.</span></p> <p><span>“I keep thinking, 'Betty, you’re 95 years old,'" she told Yahoo at the time. "I’m so blessed with good health and faculties and I’ve got memories and all that. You can’t really expect that at 95." </span></p> <p><span>She joked, "You think you'll fade off into the sunset. Well, the sun sets every night, but I just won't go away."</span></p> <p><span>In a previous interview, Betty’s former </span><em><span>Hot in Cleveland</span></em><span> co-star Wendie Malick joked about Betty’s secret to good health.</span></p> <p><span>"Hot dogs and vodka! It’s her secret weapon. I don’t think it’s for everyone — don’t try it at home!" Wendie said.</span></p> <p><span>A close friend of Betty revealed to </span><em><span>Closer Weekly </span></em><span>that the actress enjoys keeping her mind active.</span></p> <p><span>“Every single morning she reads the </span><em><span>Los Angeles Time</span></em><span>s cover to cover, along with a couple other newspapers. And she always does at least two full crossword puzzles every day," he said.</span></p> <p><span>Betty also has a physical therapist visit her twice a week to lead her through a light exercise regime including a walk around the grounds of her home.</span></p> <p><span>"She watches golf on Sundays, and then she’ll call me and say, ‘I’ve been working on my golf swing in the living room and I just can’t get my flat-iron swing right!'" her friend added.</span></p> <p><span>Betty’s friend and former housekeeper, Edna McNair, revealed that the actress is looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays in the future.</span></p> <p><span>“Last I talked to her we were teasing each other about how long we’re going to live," she said. "We said we want to be like Moses and live to be 120! We're just so glad Betty continues to feel well — and hope she's around for many, many more years to come!"</span></p>

Mind

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Betty White reveals behind-the-scenes secrets of The Golden Girls

<p>They were best friends on screen, and it seems the stars of <em>The G</em><em>olden Girls</em> were just as close behind the scenes too. According to <a href="http://www.closerweekly.com/posts/betty-white-golden-girls-secrets-138510" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Closer Weekly</em></strong></span></a>, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty and Bea Arthur loved to gossip and chat on set, helping each other through a number of heartbreaking personal tragedies.</p> <p>“We adored each other,” 95-year-old Betty said. “It was such a special experience. Between scenes, instead of going to our dressing rooms, we’d sit there and yak about very intimate things.”</p> <p>The ladies’ first real bonding experience came in the show’s second season, when both Bea and Betty sadly lost their mothers. “It was a pretty rough year,” Bea admitted. Their grief was so deep that at one point, director Lex Passaris considered shutting down production. “But both ladies said, ‘No. We need to work.’”</p> <p>And despite the rumours of a rift between Betty and Bea, the two were very close. “Bea wouldn’t go to dinner between shows unless Betty would walk with her,” Rue once said. Bea’s son Matthew Saks confirmed it, telling <em>Closer</em>, “Betty would pick my mum up in the driveway, or my mum would pick her up.”</p> <p><em>The</em> <em>Golden Girls' </em>close bond also endured during heartbreak, with Betty’s husband passing away before the series entered production and Rue’s fifth marriage crumbling during filming for the first season.</p> <p>“They confided in each other,” an insider revealed. “Rue was a great listener and a sympathetic shoulder. She had a sounding board in Betty as well.”</p> <p>It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since the beloved show came to an end, but Betty says she’d give anything to go back to those golden days. “I’ve missed <em>The </em><em>Golden Girls</em> since we went off the air,” she confesses. “It was just heaven. It was like being with your family every day.”</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, were you a fan of <em>The G</em><em>olden Girls</em>? Who was your favourite character? </p>

TV

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Why Betty White never remarried after her third husband

<p>Betty White has won over audiences worldwide with her sense of humour in shows such as <em>The Golden Girls</em> and <em>The Mary Tyler Moore Show.</em> The 95-year-old star also has a love story that is just as stunning as her on-screen performances.</p> <p>Betty was married twice before she met the love of her life, game show host Allen Ludden. In 1945, she married US army pilot Dick Barker and in 1947 she wed Hollywood agent Lane Allen, but the pair were divorced by 1949. The actress has said that neither of her first two marriages compare to her relationship with Allen.</p> <p>When Betty was 39 she met Allen, a widower and father of three, when she appeared on his game show <em>Password</em>. Betty was “going steady” with someone else at the time and didn’t see a future for herself in New York where Allen filmed his show, however, the pair quickly fell in love. Betty refused Allen’s proposal twice but he persisted and even wore the engagement ring on a chain around his neck until she agreed to marry him. They were married in 1963.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="649" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38008/in-text-betty_500x649.jpg" alt="In Text Betty"/></p> <p>The pair enjoyed 18 years of wedded bliss until 1981 when Allen devastatingly passed away from stomach cancer. When asked if she would ever marry again, Betty told the<em> Daily Mail</em>, “Once you've had the best, who needs the rest?”</p> <p>"I made two mistakes before Allen, but the love of your life doesn't come along in every life, so I am very grateful that I found him."</p> <p>"I had 18 wonderful years with Allen Ludden," she told Piers Morgan. "The first two were rehearsals."</p> <p>In 2015, Betty told Oprah that her biggest regret was not accepting Allen’s first proposal.</p> <p>“I spent a whole year, wasted a whole year that Allen and I could have had together, saying, 'No, I wouldn't marry him,'" she told Oprah on <em>Where Are They Now</em>. "I wasted a whole year we could have had together, but we made it. We finally did."</p> <p>Their love story is forever immortalised with side-by-side stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.</p>

Relationships

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Elderly marathon participants go viral for the cutest reason

<p>Most 30-somethings struggle to complete a marathon, so you have to hand it to two octogenarians who proved age is no barrier to achieving their fitness goals. 84-year-old Betty and 88-year-old Robert Kinder have become internet sensations after a photo of them crossing the finish line while holding hands at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was posted on Facebook.</p> <p><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36524/image__500x500.jpg" alt="Image_ (277)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>“Betty and Bob Kinder make our track look like a runway!” the marathon’s page captioned the cute snap, which has been liked over 3,000 times and shared 1,600 times.</p> <p>Bob’s hilarious hat is his own design, according to <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/sexy-old-fart-and-wife-take-sweetest-finish-line-photo-ever?_ga=2.69477399.620367489.1494510642-805930638.1494509448" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Runners World</span></strong></a>. He had been wearing a hat with the slogan, “Grumpy Old Fart,” when a flight attendant cheekily suggested he change it to “Sexy Old Fart,” and he couldn’t resist making the change.</p> <p>The adorable couple, who have been married for 60 years, say their secret to a long, happy relationship is “never going to bed angry” and always saying “I love you”.</p>

Body

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5 life lessons we learned from “The Golden Girls”

<p>The Golden Girls sitcom is timeless, as are its lessons about life, love and friendship. Cast your mind back to roommates Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur), Rose Nylund (Betty White), Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan), and Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty), and consider the following words of wisdom.</p> <p><strong>1. No topic is too sensitive for friends</strong></p> <p>The feisty ladies from Miami tackled subjects including Homosexuality, HIV and AIDS, safe sex, artificial insemination and ageing.  Pushing the envelope with taboo topics merely requires openness and honesty and a little bit of humour.</p> <p><strong>2. Age doesn’t dull a dirty mind</strong></p> <p>Sex drive has nothing to do with age and Blanch showed us that no woman should feel embarrassed about her needs.</p> <p><strong>3. Cheesecake solves everything</strong></p> <p>Whenever they were too upset to sleep, the Golden Girls always turned to their fail-safe fix: conversation and a slice or four of cheesecake. Take a leaf out of their book and tackle the big issues with tasty treats. </p> <p><strong>4. Life is easier when you’re laughing</strong></p> <p>“The Girls” may have neatly wrapped up their troubles in 30 minutes, but we know real life can’t work that way. What they did know, though, is that even the hardest of times can be made a lot easier with a bit of laughter.</p> <p><strong>5. Friendship will get you through hard times</strong></p> <p>Rose, Blanche, Dorothy and Sophia couldn’t have been more different, but they had one thing in common: each other. </p> <p>Which “Golden Girl” do you most identify with? Let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/05/5-reasons-why-you-need-to-watch-grace-and-frankie/"><em>5 reasons why you need to watch Grace and Frankie</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/05/tv-video-on-demand-services-in-australia/"><em>TV guide: on-demand services in Australia</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/05/airbnb-designed-for-netflix/"><em>This New York Airbnb is designed to rent and watch TV</em></a></strong></span></p>

News

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10 odd things celebrities have insured

<p>Lloyd’s of London has developed quite a reputation over the years for the weird and wacky types of insurance it’s been providing to its patrons, particularly celebrities. We’ve taken a look at 10 of the strangest insurance policies ever offered by Lloyds.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above for the accompanying images.</p> <p>They correspond to the list below:</p> <p><strong>1. Keith Richards – (Hands insured for almost $2 million) </strong></p> <p>We suppose it’s only natural for the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist to want to insured the hands that penned some of the world’s greatest rock songs of all time!  </p> <p><strong>2. Egon Ronay – (Tastebuds insured for over $400,000)</strong></p> <p>The Hungarian-born food critic could make or break a restaurant with his reviews and he obviously wanted to ensure he was covered if he lost capacity to do so.</p> <p><strong>3. Betty Grable – (Legs insured for $1 million)</strong></p> <p>Betty Grable was one of the highest paid Hollywood celebrities between 1943 and 1951, and insured her famous legs for a whopping $1 million as a publicity stunt.</p> <p><strong>4. Bruce Springsteen (Voice insured for $6 million)</strong></p> <p>If a packed of Soothers is ever not enough to get the Bruce Springsteen’s voice back, this coverage will ensure The Boss won’t be getting his lights cut any time soon.</p> <p><strong>5. Merv Hughes (Moustache insured for $370,000)</strong></p> <p>While he was a fierce competitor on the field, the first thing that will generally come to mind when someone thinks of Merv Hughes is his ‘stache (or drinking talents).</p> <p><strong>6. Dolly Parton (Breasts insured for $600,000)</strong></p> <p>The most famous country and western singer would be incomplete without her platinum blonde hair, brogue and other… ahem… assets, insured for $300,000 each!</p> <p><strong>7. David Beckham (Legs insured for nearly $200 million)</strong></p> <p>In 2006 the soccer superstar made headlines by insuring his legs were insured, in what is widely consider to the largest personal insurance policy in sports history.</p> <p><strong>8. Ben Turpin (Cross-eyes insured for $100,000)</strong></p> <p>While many people would be keen to avoid this condition, the 1920’s silent film star made a killing out of his cross-eyes and wanted to ensure that he was covered.</p> <p><strong>9. Bette Davis (Waist insured for $28,000)</strong></p> <p>While we all might remember her eyes, Bette Davis took measures to insure her tiny waist against the likelihood of weight gain for a princely sum at the time.</p> <p><strong>10. Jeff Beck (Fingers insured for $1 million each)</strong></p> <p>The guitar god who famously sliced off the tip of his left index finger when cutting carrots isn’t taking any more risks, taking out a $1 million policy for each finger.</p> <p><em>Source: Lloyds</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/finance/insurance/2016/03/how-to-avoid-hidden-costs-at-the-hospital/"><span><em><strong>How to avoid hidden costs at the hospital</strong></em></span></a></span></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/insurance/2016/04/smart-tips-for-renewing-your-insurance/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Smart tips for renewing your insurance</strong></em></span></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/insurance/2016/03/common-insurance-traps-to-avoid/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>8 common insurance traps to avoid</strong></em></span></a></p> <p> </p>

Insurance