How Is Betty White’s Net Worth an Amazing $75 Million?

betty white's net worth

Have you ever wondered what the net worth of Betty White is?

Betty White was one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood. She had been in the business for over 70 years before her passing in December 2021, and her net worth reflects that.

As of May 2023, Betty White’s net worth was a whopping $75 million at the time of her death.

How did she achieve such success? Let’s take a closer look.

Early Life

Betty Marion White was born on January 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Illinois. Her father, Horace White, was a lighting company president, and her mother, Christine Tess (Cope), was a homemaker.

White had two older sisters: Marian and Ruth. When she was just two years old, her family moved to Los Angeles, California.

It was there that she grew up and attended Horace Mann Elementary School before graduating from Beverly Hills High School in 1939.

After high school, White enrolled at Los Angeles City College. However, she dropped out after just a year to pursue a career in show business.

Betty White’s Personal Life

White was married three times. Her first marriage was to Dick Barker, a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot, in 1945. The couple divorced in 1949.

In 1963, she married Lane Allen, a Hollywood agent. The pair divorced in 1981.

Finally, in 1983, White wed game show host Allen Ludden. The couple remained married until Ludden’s death in 1981.

White never had any children of her own, but she was a stepmother to Ludden’s three sons from his previous marriage: David, Gary, and Skip.

In 2010, at the age of 88, White became the oldest person to ever host Saturday Night Live. She also holds the record for being the longest-serving female performer on television, having appeared on television for over 80 years.

White passed away on December 4, 2021, at the age of 99. Her net worth at the time of her death was $75 million.

Careers

Betty White longed to become an American actress but halted her career in the entertainment industry and began volunteering during World War II.

Her career began by reading commercials with a minimum of $5 each time she appeared. Her shows include “Bondie”. She was subsequently offered radio jobs.

In 1952 she cofounded Bandy producing together with two other women. Several of her films have starred guest.

She then acted in numerous shows including “Bold and Beautiful Proposal”, and many more. In addition, she received many awards and distinctions.

Her work during the second world war made preceded her run as one of the most popular actresses in the world.

Betty White’s Net Worth: Memorable Roles

Betty White posing with fellow actresses for the Golden Girls
Source: Vogue

Throughout her long career, Betty White starred in many different television shows in the entertainment industry. We’ve included some of her most memorable roles below.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1970s.

It starred Betty White as Sue Ann Nivens, a happy homemaker who was always ready with a quip.

The show was praised for its strong feminist messages and for depicting single women in a positive light.

White won two Emmy Awards for her role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

The Golden Girls

This sitcom followed the lives of four older women who were roommates in Miami. White played the role of Rose Nylund, a sweet but naive woman from Minnesota.

Hot in Cleveland

In this sitcom, White starred alongside Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, and Wendie Malick as Elka Ostrovsky, a feisty caretaker who is always up to mischief.

White was also well-known for her roles in The Carol Burnett Show, Mama’s Family, and The Jim Nabors Hour.

Betty White’s Awards and Legacy

Over the course of her career in the television industry, White won five primetime Emmy Awards, three American Comedy Awards, Golden Globes, and a Grammy Award. In May 2019, she was awarded the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.

White was also inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2010. She was also given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1988.

If that wasn’t enough, Betty White also holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest-serving female performer on television.

Additionally, she was awarded the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2019.

Outside of her successful career, White was known for her charitable work. She was a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party and an advocate for animal rights.

Betty White has been a longtime supporter of the Morris Animal Foundation, a charity that funds animal health research. She’d long been a supporter of animal welfare.

In 2010, White donated $100,000 to the foundation in honor of her late husband, Allen Ludden, who died of stomach cancer.

She has also appeared in several public service announcements for the foundation, urging people to donate money to help find a cure for cancer in animals.

The Foundation is grateful for Betty White’s support and believes that her dedication to helping animals will inspire others to do the same.

Betty White: The First Lady of Television

betty white's net worth

Fans of Betty White were in for a treat when a documentary about her life was released in 2018.

The film, titled Betty White: The First Lady of Television, chronicles the incredible career of the beloved actress and comedian.

White has been entertaining audiences for over 80 years, and the documentary celebrates her achievements in television, film, and radio.

It also features interviews with White’s friends and family, as well as clips from some of her most famous performances.

The documentary was well-received by critics, who praised White’s talent and resilience.

It was also a huge hit with fans, who enjoyed getting a closer look at the life of one of America’s most beloved celebrities.

Her Salary

During her long career, White earned a significant amount of money. In 1963, she was earning $5,000 per episode for her role on The Dick Powell Show.

By the 1970s, she was earning $30,000 per episode for her work on The Carol Burnett Show.

In 2010, White reportedly earned $1 million for her role in the film Hot in Cleveland.

White’s salary for her work on The Golden Girls was never made public, but it is believed that she earned a significant amount of money for her role on the show.

Real Estate

betty white's net worth

 

Source: ABC-7

In addition to her sizable salary, White also made a lot of money through her real estate investments.

In 2013, she sold her Los Angeles home for $15 million. The home was originally purchased by White and her then-husband Allen Ludden in 1974 for $600,000.

White also owned a vacation home in Los Angeles, which she purchased in the early 1990s for $5 million. The home was later sold in 2019 for $12 million.

Total Net Worth

Betty White passed away in December 2021, and had an estimated net worth of $75 million. This made her one of the wealthiest actresses in Hollywood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Betty White:

Who Did Betty White Leave Her Estate To?

White did not have any children of her own, but she was survived by Ludden’s three sons from his previous marriage: David, Gary, and Skip.

It is unclear how White’s estate will be divided among her heirs, but her net worth was estimated to be $75 million at the time of her death.

Who Is The Richest Golden Girl?

The richest Golden Girl is undoubtedly Betty White, who had a net worth of $75 million at the time of her death.

White will be remembered as one of Hollywood’s most successful actresses and a trailblazer for women.

She appeared on numerous television shows throughout her career, each cementing her legendary status.

Betty White Net Worth: Key Takeaways

Now that you know what the net worth of Betty White is and how she built it, let’s take a look at some of the most important lessons we can take from her journey.

Never Give Up On Your Dreams

Betty White is a shining example of what it means to never give up on your dreams. Having grown up in the 1920s, The USA was a much different place during her childhood.

Specifically, she always wanted to be a forest ranger growing up. But at the time, this honor was reserved for boys.

Her dream came true in 2010, when she was named an honorary forest ranger after all those years.

Because of her trailblazing career and exemplary character, Betty White’s childhood dream came true.

You’ll Learn Along the Way

When Betty White began her career, she didn’t exactly know what she was doing. Just like anyone else starting a new career, there was a steep learning curve involved.

But she endured the curve, working her way through the rough beginning patch of her career.

She went from reading commercials on the radio to becoming one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars ever, similar to Alex Trebek.

Don’t wait, just dive in! You’ll learn how to make it happen along the way.