We're just a few days from a whole new year, and for most of us that means a symbolic fresh beginning and maybe a goal or two. But for television icon Betty White, January 2022 means she'll officially have lived an entire century.
The beloved actress turns the big 1-0-0 on January 17, which seems utterly unbelievable given how timeless, not to mention spry and energetic the comedy legend is.
And in a recent interview with People magazine, White is giving away the secrets to her long and "amazing" life--just in time for us to make our New Year's resolutions.
Betty White Reveals Her Secrets to a Happy Life at 100: 'I'm So Lucky to Be in Such Good Health' https://peoplem.ag/32wDCsf\u00a0pic.twitter.com/6CAfsRreFc— People (@People) 1640696810
So how did White make it all the way to the elusive three-digit milestone? White told People all it took was one simple thing: having been "born a cockeyed optimist. As she put it to the magazine:
"I got it from my mom, and that never changed. I always find the positive."
Characteristically, for someone as upbeat as she is, White told People she's grateful to have made it this far, despite the challenges old age may bring.
"I'm so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age. It's amazing."
White also revealed that her diet is key to her longevity... but not in the way you'd expect. If you think White must have been drinking kale smoothies and wheat-grass juice all these years, think again. Of her diet, White said:
"I try to avoid anything green. I think it's working."
Time for more Christmas cookies, then!
White certainly has much to be positive about as she reaches her milestone age. A true pioneer in the medium of television, White began her screen career in 1949 as co-host of variety show Hollywood on Television before going on to create, co-produce and star in her own sitcom Life With Elizabeth--a rare enough feat for a woman in the entertainment industry now, let alone in 1953.
Later, White went on to portray some of the most iconic characters in television history, including Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the 1970s, and perhaps most famously Rose Nylund on beloved 1980s sitcom The Golden Girls.
On Twitter, there was as always no shortage of love for White's upcoming milestone birthday.
Guard Betty White with your very lives. That\u2019s it. That\u2019s the tweet.— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid \ud83d\ude37 (@Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid \ud83d\ude37) 1640745201
Betty White is a National Treasure and forever our Golden Girl. That\u2019s the tweet.— Ricky Davila (@Ricky Davila) 1640751405
Happy Birthday to one of the funniest women ever!pic.twitter.com/hkuIBuqgg5— Cindy Mason (@Cindy Mason) 1640739668
I keep forgetting just how long Betty White has been around. There's few from her generation left in Hollywood, so it's nice to still have that link to cinematic history. \n\nWishing her continued long life and health!https://twitter.com/BettyMWhite/status/1475880716525211651\u00a0\u2026— Oliver Jia (\u30aa\u30ea\u30d0\u30fc\u30fb\u30b8\u30a2) (@Oliver Jia (\u30aa\u30ea\u30d0\u30fc\u30fb\u30b8\u30a2)) 1640761277
That is amazing!!\nHappy birthday, @BettyMWhite, many more to 120!https://twitter.com/BettyMWhite/status/1475880716525211651\u00a0\u2026— Chanah Angelica Kamen (@Chanah Angelica Kamen) 1640756045
We love Betty. https://twitter.com/people/status/1475815505286111236\u00a0\u2026— Tara (@Tara) 1640697051
Best. Cover. Ever.https://twitter.com/people/status/1475815505286111236\u00a0\u2026— Dave Quinn (@Dave Quinn) 1640702711
\u201calways find the positive\u201d - Betty White— Jason Tartick (@Jason Tartick) 1640743553
Betty White, pure inspiration! You are my role model! I love you! \n\nWishing you a very happy 100th coming soon!\nhttps://twitter.com/bettymwhite/status/1475880716525211651\u00a0\u2026— Ming-Na Wen (@Ming-Na Wen) 1640745989
May we all be so lucky to have her for another 100 years.