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"I miss her hugs": British acting legend shares heartbreaking loss

Actor Warwick Davis has shared the heartbreaking news of his wife's death. The actor, known for his roles in Harry Potter and Star Wars, took to social media to share the news of his wife Samantha's death, who passed away at the age of 53. “Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs”, Warwick, 54, said. He added, “She was a unique character, always seeing the sunny side of life she had a wicked sense of humour and always laughed at my bad jokes. “Without Sammy, there would have been no Tenable quiz show, no Willow series. No Idiot Abroad Series 3.” Warwick said Samantha was his “most trusted confidant and an ardent supporter of everything I did in my career”. The couple’s children, Harrison and Annabelle, added, “Mum is our best friend and we’re honoured to have received a love like hers “Her love and happiness carried us through our whole lives”. Warwick and Samantha met on the set of the movie Willow in 1988 and got married three years later. Samantha had achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder that causes disproportionate dwarfism. Warwick has previously opened up about his wife’s health after she was rushed to hospital with sepsis in 2018, and had to undergo several different surgeries to stabilise her condition. Warwick, co-founder of charity Little People UK, has often spoken out about the health battles related to his condition, as well his wife’s. He was born with Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SED), an extremely rare genetic form of dwarfism, which has been inherited by both their daughter Annabelle and son Harrison. Image credits: Getty Images

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One of Australia’s last surviving ‘Rats of Tobruk’ passes away aged 102

Dennis Davis, a World War II veteran and one of Australia’s last surviving ‘Rats of Tobruk’ has passed away aged 102. Mr Davis was one of 14,000 diggers who held out against German and Italian forces in the 241-day siege on Libya’s Tobruk port in 1941. The Aussie soldiers, along with another 5,000 allied soldiers, were dubbed the ‘Rats of Tobruk’ for their efforts over the eight-month campaign. After falling ill in the days before Anzac Day this year, Mr Davis secured a leave pass from the hospital so that he could still attend an Anzac ceremony at Sydney’s Town Hall, where he laid a wreath in honour of his fellow veterans. “It was harder to get out of the hospital than it was to get out of the army,” he joked to his family, according to the Australian Remembrance Foundation. During Channel 7’s ‘Lest We Forget’ concert tribute to the ANZACs earlier this year, Mr Davis was the subject of a Veteran’s Tribute, before he laid the wreath at the Town Hall Anzac Day service. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oaq3RS9Rffk?start=904&end=1174" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> On Monday, August 15, Mr Davis attended a ceremony at the cenotaph in Sydney’s Martin Place with fellow veterans to mark the 77th Victory in the Pacific Day. The foundation announced Mr Davis’ passing on Thursday, August 18, as reported by the AAP. <a href="https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/stories-service/veterans-stories/dennis-daviss-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener">His story</a> is also included in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs stories of service program, which shares the experiences of veterans to support education in Australia’s military history. After migrating from London to Australia, Mr Davis enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1940, serving in the Middle East, New Guinea and Borneo during WWII. Following his involvement in the Seige of Tobruk and battles at El Alamein, Mr Davis was sent to serve in a newly formed ski unit. On his return to Australia, he married his fiancé Margaret before departing again to serve in New Guinea and Borneo. Mr Davis was finally discharged in November 1945 and returned to his job at the tax office. He was married to Margaret for 61 years before she passed away in 2004, and they are both survived by two children, seven grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. Image: Veterans’ Foundation (Facebook)

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Betty White’s home up for grabs

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). The stunning home was put on the market just a day after a moving tribute at the Oscars for the beloved actress. Betty and her late husband Allen Ludden built the beautiful beach home together, with construction finalised in 1981. 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. The three storey manor has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, perfect for a growing family. Its interior is still that of the '80s, with exposed wooden beams, an arresting stone wall and a fireplace in the living room. The humble abode is expected to sell for $7,950,000 (AU$10.6 million). The Golden Girls 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. “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. "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." "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.” Images: Sothebys

Money & Banking

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

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. 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. 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. "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??" 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&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E! News</a> in a statement that they have plans to honour the Golden Girls star during the dedicated Television Awards later in the year. Also noticeably absent from the Peaky Blinders and Harry Potter star Helen McCrory who died in April last year from breast cancer, aged 52. "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. "Decisions as to who is selected for inclusion are made by BAFTA's Obituaries Committee, which considers over 200 names a year." Both Betty White and Helen McCrory appear on the BAFTA's website in the "In Memory Of" section. Betty White passed away on December 31st 2021 in her Los Angeles home at age 99. Image credits: Getty Images

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

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.Joel Thurm, the casting director for Golden Girls, <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 <a href="https://theoriginals.libsyn.com/the-originals-24-bad-timing-special" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Originals</a> podcast.He shocked the podcast hosts with the intensity of Bea Arthur’s language relating to White, saying their fury came after she mocked fellow Golden Girls actress Estelle Getty in front of a live audience when she began to forget her lines.“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.Getty passed away in 2008 from Lewy body dementia after retiring from acting in 2001 due to ailing health.Andrew Goldman, the host of The Originals, took to Instagram following the episode.“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>.“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.”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.“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.“It was my positive attitude - and that made Bea mad sometimes. Sometimes if I was happy, she’d be furious!”Image: Getty Images

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

Funk and soul legend Betty Davis has died at 77 years old.Danielle Maggio, a friend of the music star and model, confirmed the news on Wednesday, as reported by Metro UK.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.”She confirmed that the “Queen of Funk” died peacefully, with “no pain or fear”.“Knowing her was the greatest honour of my life,” Maggio wrote. “I love you, Betty. Your music and spirit will live on forever.”<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Devastated by the passing of my dear friend, pioneering songwriter, singer and producer, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BettyDavis?src=hash&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>— Danielle Maggio (@saucequeen_pgh) <a href="https://twitter.com/saucequeen_pgh/status/1491500133074280453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2022</a></blockquote>Amie Downs, the communications director for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania - where Davis lived - told <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/betty-davis-dead-obit-1297372/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rolling Stone</a> the star died of natural causes.In a statement on Wednesday, Davis’ longtime friend Connie Portis remembered the trailblazing singer as a “beloved member of her community”.“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.“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.”Davis, born Betty Mabry in North Carolina, moved to New York, where her music career began.She became known for her sexualised lyrics, rising to fame to produce hits like Get Ready for Betty, If I’m in Luck I Might Get Picked Up and It’s My Life.Davis also wrote Uptown (to Harlem), which appeared on The Chamber Brother’s 1967 album The Time Has Come.She released her self-titled first album in 1973, followed by They Say I’m Different in 1974 and Nasty Gal in 1975.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.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">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>— COSMO BAKER (@CosmoBaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/CosmoBaker/status/1491462261134798850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2022</a></blockquote>Though their marriage was brief, Davis still influenced her former husband’s music, appearing on the cover of his album Filles de Kilimanjaro and inspiring the track Mademoiselle Mabry (Miss Mabry).Despite releasing her album in the same year, Davis left the music industry in 1975, moving to Pittsburgh to get away from the spotlight.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.Speaking to the New York Times 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.”During the same year, Davis released her first song in 40 years, titled <a href="https://daniellemaggio.bandcamp.com/album/a-little-bit-hot-tonight" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Little Bit Hot Tonight</a>, which was performed by Maggio on Davis’ behalf.Portis said a tribute would be made to “her beautiful, bold and brash persona” at a later date.“Today we cherish her memory as the sweet, thoughtful, and reflective person she was… There is no other.”Image: Getty Images

News

The real reason Kyrgios was left off the Davis Cup team

Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has <a href="https://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/he-was-asked-doubles-partner-kokkinakis-drops-kyrgios-bomb/news-story/474df82cd7d17fd1f4c5da5c9a8996c9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dispelled rumours</a> that Nick Kyrgios was snubbed by Lleyton Hewitt after Kyrgios was the big omission from Hewitt’s lineup for the upcoming Davis Cup.Following his triumph in last month’s Australian Open men’s double, Kokkinakis revealed his partner had made himself unavailable for the international competition.<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZWMgrGJVcX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px"><div style="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="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="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><div style="padding: 12.5% 0"> </div><div style="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"><div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"> </div></div></div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px"> </div></div><a style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZWMgrGJVcX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Thanasi Kokkinakis (@the_kokk1)</a></div></blockquote>Kyrgios has also pulled out of the Delray Beach ATP Tour event in Florida, which kicks off next week, and his participation at ATP events at Acapulco, Mexico and Indian Wells, California are yet to be announced.However, the 26-year-old appeared to be a glaring omission from the squad picked by Hewitt for Australia’s Davis Cup qualifying match against Hungary.Instead, Kokkinakis was picked for the first time since 2015, along with Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, John Peers and Luke Saville.Following reports that Kyrgios’ absence from the squad was a “snub” from Hewitt, Kokkinakis has said it was Kyrgios who turned down Hewitt’s offer.“He definitely was asked to play,” Kokkinakis told Sky News.“He has a few things on so he wasn’t able to play but he definitely didn’t get snubbed or anything - I saw those headlines and he didn’t get snubbed at all. Hopefully we can team up again in the future.”Though Hewitt and Kyrgios have had a turbulent relationship in the past, it seems their rift has been mended, with Kokkinakis saying they now have a “good relationship”.“I think Nick has shown he always loves playing for Australia. I’m not sure exactly what he has on, but he obviously has something pretty important,” he said.“He’s obviously in our strongest team. He was definitely asked, and I think he and Lleyton have a good relationship, but he just wasn’t available for this time.”At the time that the squad was announced, Hewitt had nothing but praise for Kokkinakis, who will have the chance to compete in both the singles and doubles after claiming his maiden ATP Tour singles title at the Adelaide International prior to his Australian Open win.“Thanasi had a fantastic Australian summer,” Hewitt said.“He really cemented himself as a top 100 player again, winning his first title at home in Adelaide and beating quality players. And then to go on to win the Australian Open doubles, this is going to give him a lot of confidence heading into this tie.”Australia will qualify for the Davis Cup Finals, held at the end of the year, if the team defeats Hungary during their match in Sydney on March 4 and 5.Image: @k1ngkyrg1os (Instagram)

News

Betty White's 100th birthday honoured with unseen photo

In honour of what would have been her 100th birthday, tributes have flowed online for the late Betty White. 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. Kiersten Mikelas shared the previously unseen snap, saying, "On this special day, I wanted to share this photo of Betty." Kiersten said the image was taken on December 20th, just 11 days before her death. 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." Betty White passed away in her bed on December 31st after suffering a stroke six days earlier. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbettymwhite%2Fposts%2F474287794069331&show_text=true&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> As many celebrated her life on her 100th birthday, even the Google search engine got involved in the tribute. 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 Golden Girls series. In honour of her centenary, a documentary was also released in select theatres around the US, titled Betty White: A Celebration. 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. "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. Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook

Beauty & Style

Betty White's real cause of death leaked

Image: Getty The New York Post is now reporting that the official cause of death of iconic TV star Betty White was a ‘cerebrovascular accident’. 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. 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 People that “Betty died peacefully in her sleep at her home.” Witjas also denied that Ms White’s death was at all related to her receiving her COVID-19 booster shot just days before. “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 People, adding, “Her death should not be politicised — that is not the life she lived.” 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. Witjas later confirmed her death, telling People, “Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever. “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.”

Caring

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

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 <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>. 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. <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&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&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Betty White (@bettymwhite)</a> </div> </blockquote> 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. The Institute tweeted, “We lost a conservationist, animal advocate, and friend. When the penguins & 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. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> We lost a conservationist, animal advocate, and friend. When the penguins & 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&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ThankYouForBeingAFriend</a> <a href="https://t.co/NLneNetezz">pic.twitter.com/NLneNetezz</a> — Audubon Nature Institute (@AudubonNature) <a href="https://twitter.com/AudubonNature/status/1477087180816322562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> A spokesperson for the organisation told PEOPLE, "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." White was passionate about her animal advocacy work, telling the Wall Street Journal 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. 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." Pontiac passed away in 2017, and White decided not to adopt more animals due to her advancing age. Image: Amanda Edwards/WireImage

News

Betty White's final words

Image: Getty 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. Lawrence, 72, who met White on the set of the Carol Burnett Show 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. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Lawrence said she found out White's last word was a callout to her husband, Allen Ludden, who died in 1981. "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. "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." 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. "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." Lawrence says the Golden Girls star would want her friends, family and fans not to mourn her death, but to "laugh" when they think of her name. "She would want us to laugh and remember and love and enjoy and believe that she's in heaven with Allen," she added. White died on January 1st age 99, just a few weeks short of her 100th birthday. Her agent and friend Jeff Witjas confirmed the legendary actress died peacefully in her sleep in her home. "Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever," Witjas said in a statement to People. "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." 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.

Caring

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"> Betty White's agent Jeff Witjas has said that White is ready for some face-to-face interaction after a safe year at home. 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">TMZ</a>. This doesn't mean White isn't counting down the days until she's able to safely interact with friends. 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." <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&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&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Betty White (@bettymwhite)</a> </div> </blockquote> 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". Wijtas declined on commenting whether or not White had been vaccinated. </div> </div> </div>

Movies

There’s no place like home!

After several months on the market, Judy Garland's former Hollywood Hills home – which Sammy Davis Jnr owned at one time – has sold for $4.675million, about $1.5 million shy of the original price tag. The 5,000 square feet Art Deco home overlooks LA’s Sunset Strip and was built in 1941 by John Elgin Woolf, an architect known for designing homes for celebs including Cary Grant and Bob Hope. Garland lived in the home from 1944 to 1948, along with then-husband Vincente Minnelli and their daughter, Liza Minnelli, who was born in 1946, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://people.com/home/see-inside-judy-garlands-former-hollywood-hills-home-now-listed-for-6-million/" target="_blank">People</a>. The five bedroom, seven-and-a-half bathroom home sold for $1.5million below the property owner's original asking price, the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.latimes.com/business/real-estate/story/2020-08-21/judy-garlands-former-hollywood-hills-haunt-sells-for-4-675-million" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a> reported. The three-story home features multiple decks and patios, which offer up grand views of Los Angeles and the canyon, as well as an indoor-outdoor living room and a master suite with a private balcony. Also among the home's features are a screening room with a hidden bookshelf door that leads to a secret bedroom. The listing also included a pool/guesthouse, which features a custom fireplace, marble bar, billiards room and sleeping loft. The property sits on a third of an acre of land, which includes landscaped gardens full of bamboo, tropical plants and fruit trees and a swimming pool. Despite having been tweaked in the years since Garland owned the home, many of Woolf's original design elements – such as his detailed railings – and floor plans remain. The room that once belonged to baby Liza Minnelli still exists next to the downstairs living room space, as does the “Judy Garland Suite” – the original master bedroom – which is behind a floor-to-ceiling bookcase. An additional hidden room in the home lies behind a walk-in closet and dressing area. After Garland moved out of the home, it was bought by comedian and actor Wally Cox, who then sold it to Davis Jr. in 1955, expanded the property and tacked on the pool house. Real estate company Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties said in its listing that the guesthouse was meant to be a place where music could be recorded or late-night parties could be held so that they wouldn't disturb Davis Jr's children who slept in the main house. While Davis Jr. owned the home, rock act The Band lived and recorded music there. According to online real estate records, the house was on the market for 181 days before being sold on August 5 after originally being listed for $5.2million. It appears the home was initially listed on the market in February for $6.129million. IMAGES: <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.mls.com/" target="_blank">MLS</a> Real Estate Listings / Wikimedia

Real Estate

"'The virus is afraid of Betty!"

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Fans around the world have rejoiced with the news that Golden Girl legend Betty White is safe and well amid the coronavirus pandemic. White, 98, is self-isolating in her home in California, with visits from animal friends, including ducks. "No one permitted in except those who must. Has helpers who are great with her," White's rep said in an email to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.today.com/popculture/betty-white-doing-very-well-despite-coronavirus-pandemic-t182392" target="_blank">Today</a>. "The animal community is watching over her," White's publicist said, adding, "The virus is afraid of Betty!" Her friend Tom Sullivan confirmed to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/betty-white-gushes-shes-blessed-with-incredibly-good-health/" target="_blank">Closer</a> that she is also keeping her mind active during the lockdown. “She reads the L.A. Times cover to cover,” he said. “She owns literally thousands of crossword puzzle books and is constantly doing them to keep her mind jumping. This is really serious with her.” As well as keeping her mind active, White has been relaxing with a cocktail or two. <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&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&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Betty White (@bettymwhite)</a> on Jul 11, 2016 at 2:54pm PDT </div> </blockquote> “Betty loves to joke that vodka keeps her young,” her friend says with a laugh. “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.” White also has a message to the world. “Betty’s message to the world is to slow down and enjoy what you have: family, friends, your pets,” says the friend. “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.” White has spent 80 years working in television and has the longest career in the history of television. </div> </div> </div>

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

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. “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. White’s life tips tend to focus on the positive side of life. “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.” 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. “I don’t have time to miss much,” she says, “because I’m still working.” “I just love to work, so I’ll keep working until they stop asking.” She also gave some straight-forward advice for the new-comers in the brutal world of show business. “Do your work, learn your lines and come in prepared,” she says. “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.” 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. “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.

Movies

Good news for Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries fans

The Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries cast are set to reunite for a <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/2017/01/miss-fishers-murder-mysteries-becomes-movie-trilogy/" target="_blank">feature film.</a> Phryne Fisher, played by Essie Davis, will star in Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears. The movie will see the cast head to Morocco and Melbourne in October this year for filming, although the film is set in London and Palestine. The film will follow Miss Fisher as she rescues a Bedouin woman from prison in British Mandated Palestine. Miss Fisher then promises to help the young woman, Shirin Abbas, find out the truth about the ‘Crypt of Tears’ – an ancient crypt buried beneath the Negev Desert. Original co-stars such as Nathan Page, Miriam Margolyes and Ashleigh Cummings will join forces once again for the murder mystery. The ABC TV series, based on Kerry Greenwood’s novels, ran for three seasons and saw Essie Davis nominated for the 2014 and 2016 Gold Logie Award. The TV-series’ set-up director, Tony Tilse, will direct the film, and creators Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger will co-executive produce. The film received over $730,000 on an online crowd-funding website for the production of the film. Screen Australia also invested just over $8 million for the feature, and Roadshow Films will distribute it in Australia and New Zealand. Sally Caplan, Head of Production at Screen Australia, said: "The Miss Fisher TV series has had extraordinary success with international sales in over 170 territories and is testament that strong female characters resonate with audiences. Every Cloud have smartly leveraged this fan base into crowd-funding for the film, and assembled the same creative team to expertly deliver a big screen chapter of the adventures of Miss Fisher with excellent commercial prospects." The release date has not yet been revealed.

Betty White’s style over the years

Betty White was one of the first women ever to appear on television, and now, 78 years later, she’s still one of our all-time favourites. From The Mary Tyler Moore Show to Golden Girls, there are few entertainers out there as beloved as Betty. Today, as the small screen icon celebrates her 96th birthday, we’re revisiting some of her best style moments throughout her storied career. Scroll through the gallery above to see our favourite vintage pics of Betty. Tell us in the comments below, what’s your favourite Betty White role?

Beauty & Style

Why Betty White is not slowing down at 95

At 95 years old, Betty White is proving that age is no barrier to health or happiness. Earlier this year, The Golden Girls star shared how excited she was to be celebrating her 95th birthday in January. “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." She joked, "You think you'll fade off into the sunset. Well, the sun sets every night, but I just won't go away." In a previous interview, Betty’s former Hot in Cleveland co-star Wendie Malick joked about Betty’s secret to good health. "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. A close friend of Betty revealed to Closer Weekly that the actress enjoys keeping her mind active. “Every single morning she reads the Los Angeles Times cover to cover, along with a couple other newspapers. And she always does at least two full crossword puzzles every day," he said. 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. "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. Betty’s friend and former housekeeper, Edna McNair, revealed that the actress is looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays in the future. “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!"

Mind

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

They were best friends on screen, and it seems the stars of The Golden Girls 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">Closer Weekly</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. “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.” 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.’” 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 Closer, “Betty would pick my mum up in the driveway, or my mum would pick her up.” The Golden Girls' 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. “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.” 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 The Golden Girls since we went off the air,” she confesses. “It was just heaven. It was like being with your family every day.” Tell us in the comments below, were you a fan of The Golden Girls? Who was your favourite character?

Why Betty White never remarried after her third husband

Betty White has won over audiences worldwide with her sense of humour in shows such as The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The 95-year-old star also has a love story that is just as stunning as her on-screen performances. 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. When Betty was 39 she met Allen, a widower and father of three, when she appeared on his game show Password. 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. <img width="500" height="649" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38008/in-text-betty_500x649.jpg" alt="In Text Betty"/> 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 Daily Mail, “Once you've had the best, who needs the rest?” "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." "I had 18 wonderful years with Allen Ludden," she told Piers Morgan. "The first two were rehearsals." In 2015, Betty told Oprah that her biggest regret was not accepting Allen’s first proposal. “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 Where Are They Now. "I wasted a whole year we could have had together, but we made it. We finally did." Their love story is forever immortalised with side-by-side stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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"I miss her hugs": British acting legend shares heartbreaking loss