One of the most beloved personalities in Hollywood, Betty White was an American actress best known for her comedic work and for her ever-young soul.
Born January 17, 1922, Betty began her television career in the late 1930s and gained popularity while working as a “girl Friday” on Hollywood on Television. Her filmography was just as long as her acting career, but Betty White will always be remembered for the roles she played in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls and Hot in Cleveland. Betty White unfortunately died on Dec. 31, 2021, just short of her 100th birthday.
While Bruce Forsyth holds the title for Longest TV Career for an Entertainer (male), Betty was awarded the title back in 2014, to celebrate her more than 70 years in show business. She was also the oldest person to earn an Emmy nomination.
Besides being a great entertainer, Betty had a ridiculously kind heart. She had a reputation for being a devoted animal lover and activist, and during WWII she decided to put her career on hold for a while and join the American Women's Voluntary Services.
Here are 40 Betty White quotes to remind you to stay young at heart and enjoy life.
Betty White Quotes About The Joy Of Laughter
Throughout her life, Betty White put an emphasis on laughter. She recognized the value of humor and its power to turn things around. Here are some Betty White quotes about laughter to remind us to smile and enjoy every bit of life.
If one has no sense of humor, one is in trouble.
I just laugh. Have I got them fooled.
Get at least eight hours of beauty sleep, nine if you’re ugly.
Laughter keeps everyone feeling wonderful.
Why do people say "grow some balls"? Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding.
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Humor is like music. It’s a rhythm, and you just kind of get the rhythm of it, and you have to know not to let the beat go too long, but to leave a beat in there for it to gel, you know.
I love bawdy humor, but not dirty humor.
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.
Doing drama is, in a sense, easier. In doing comedy, if you don’t get that laugh, there’s something wrong.
Betty White Quotes About Life
Betty White knew how important it was to stay true to oneself. Even more important was to try not to pay any mind to the critics. She had a "live and let live" approach and believed in herself. These Betty White quotes will remind you not to stress the little stuff.
There's no formula. Keep busy with your work and your life. You can't become a professional mourner. It doesn't help you or others. Replay the good times. Be grateful for the years you had.
You can always tell about somebody by the way they put their hands on an animal.
So you may not be as fast on your feet, and the image in your mirror may be a little disappointing, but if you are still functioning and not in pain, gratitude should be the name of the game.
Friendship takes time and energy if it's going to work. You can luck into something great, but it doesn't last if you don't give it proper appreciation.
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It’s your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don’t take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver.
I have no regrets at all. None. I consider myself to be the luckiest old broad on two feet.
It is important that you not believe your own publicity. Be grateful for whatever praise you receive, but take it with a grain of salt.
I like those touches of chivalry that are fast disappearing. If I sound old-fashioned, it's because I'm as old as I am! But it's just polite.
Mind your own business, take care of your affairs, and don't worry about other people so much.
Betty White Quotes About Having Fun
Going hand in hand with her overall positive outlook on life and emphasis on laughter, Betty White's approach to life, as she says, was simple: just have fun. Her light-heartedness is refreshing and a true example of what we should all strive for.
I just make it my business to get along with people so I can have fun. It's that simple.
I may be a senior, but so what? I'm still hot.
I think everybody needs a passion. Whether it’s one passion or a hundred, that’s what keeps life interesting.
I have a two-story house and a very bad memory, so I'm up and down those stairs all the time. That's my exercise.
People say, ‘But Betty, Facebook is a great way to connect with old friends.’ Well, at my age, if I want to connect with old friends I need a Ouija board.
I’m a health nut. My favorite food is hot dogs with French fries.
I just care what kind of a decent human being you are.
I go out to the kitchen to feed the dog, but that’s about as much cooking as I do.
I don’t seem to require a lot of sleep… If I get four, five good hours, I’m fine. But sleeping is sort of dull. There’s a lot of other good stuff that you can do without just lying down and closing your eyes.
Does desire melt away with age? I’m waiting for that day to come.
Butterflies are like women — we may look pretty and delicate, but baby, we can fly through a hurricane.
Inspiring Betty White Quotes
With her hugely successful career, kind-heartedness, warmth, and overall likability, Betty White is an inspiration. She lived her 99 years as she wanted to, and it's fair to say she was more than happy and fulfilled.
I didn’t choose to have children because I’m focused on my career. And I just don’t think, as compulsive as I am, that I could manage both.
Animals don’t lie. Animals don’t criticize. If animals have moody days, they handle them better than humans do.
My mother always used to say, ‘The older you get, the better you get. Unless you’re a banana.’
A lady likes to be complimented on her looks, her eyes, her figure. But the personality comments are much appreciated.
You can lie to anyone in the world and even get away with it, perhaps, but when you are alone and look into your own eyes in the mirror, you can’t sidestep the truth. Always be sure you can meet those eyes directly. Otherwise, it’s big trouble, my girl.
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I know unless I’m true to myself I couldn’t be happy. Too much emphasis is placed today on externals and too little on character.
My philosophy for staying young is [to] act bubbly every day, drink bubbly every birthday!
I do mental exercises. I don’t have any trouble memorizing lines because of the crossword puzzles I do every day to keep my mind a little limber.
I was blessed with a mother and father who said taste the good stuff now and realize how fortunate and how wonderful things are this minute because enough minutes are not wonderful that you have to save up all the good ones to make it balance out.
You know people who are already saying, ‘I’m going to be 30 – oh, what am I going to do?’ Well, use that decade! Use them all!
Keep the other person’s well being in mind when you feel an attack of soul-purging truth coming on.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.