1 / 15 photos Betty White

After performing as a singer and voice actress for radio shows, Betty White came to national acclaim with the 1953 TV sitcom Life with Elizabeth. She earned the first of seven Emmys for her work on the show. White was also one of few TV actresses at the time to have full creative control of their work.

In 1956, White landed a starring role as Vicki Angel on a new sitcom, Date with the Angels. She was also a regular performer on the popular Tonight starring Jack Paar.

The gameshow concept had become a popular TV phenomenon by the 1960s. Television networks, however, were not ready to accept the concept of a gameshow hostess, and turned White down for the role of emcee on several shows. Instead, she became a featured guest on many shows, including Password, where she met her future husband: Password host Allen Ludden.

In 1973, White thrilled audiences with her performance as Sue Ann Nivens, "The Happy Homemaker," on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. White earned two Emmys for her role on the program.

Shortly after the conclusion of The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1977, White was given her own sitcom, The Betty White Show. The program lasted one season before poor ratings caused its cancellation in 1978.

White returned to sketch comedy in 1978, appearing on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Carol Burnett Show.

In 1983, White finally got her revenge on the network execs who didn't believe women could be gameshow hosts, when she became the first gameshow hostess in history. As the emcee of NBC's Just Men!, White earned her fourth Emmy and was named "The First Lady of Gameshows."

White accepted what would become her most famous role in 1985: As the naive Rose Nylund on the sitcom, Golden Girls. Co-star Rue McClanahan was originally offered the role, while White was cast as the man-hungry Blanche. The show's producer, however, felt the stars had played similar roles on past shows and suggested they switch parts. The decision proved fruitful: White won an Emmy that first year for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series.

Passionate about animals from the time she was a small child, White used her fame to become a vocal animal welfare advocate for groups like the Wildlife Waystation. "My life is divided in absolute half: half animals, half show business," White told reporters. "I have to stay in show business to pay for my animal work!"

As the president emeritus of the Morris Animal Foundation and a member of the board of directors for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, White has raised thousands of dollars for animals. One particular pet project of White's was the improvement of the L.A. Zoo's chimp and gorilla exhibits, which Jane Goodall helped design.

At the age of 88, White continued to work hard in Hollywood, landing a co-starring role as elderly Polish caretaker Elka Ostrovsky, on the ensemble comedy Hot in Cleveland.

Thanks to a well-timed Super Bowl commercial for Snickers in 2010, White was introduced to a new generation of fans. After the commercial aired, more than 500,000 Facebook fans started a movement to get Betty White to host Saturday Night Live. The comedienne landed the hosting gig, earning an Emmy for her performance and becoming the oldest person to host the show.

Pink's Hot Dogs paid tribute to Betty in 2010, when they unveiled the Betty White 'Naked' Hot Dog—a completely plain version of their famous sandwich. A portion of the profits from every Betty White dog goes to the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services.

White has become the face of many campaigns that promote health and vitality for the elderly, including several AARP spots and the music video "I'm Still Hot," which she shot for The Lifeline Program.

In January 2012, White celebrated her 90th birthday. While being honored at a People's Choice Awards dinner, White was overcome with emotion. "Thank you with all my heart," she said to her fans. "But you don’t really accomplish anything—90 just happens."