On Dec. 13, the world lost a beloved actress who many thought would “live forever.’ Betty White died just before reaching her 100th birthday on Jan. 17.

White had arguably the longest running acting career as a woman in the industry, with her most notable performance being as Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls.” She also won five Primetime Emmy Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, American Comedy Awards and even a 2012 Grammy. With 115 acting credits to her name, White was nominated for several Golden Globes and awarded for her leadership by several organizations.

“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,” her agent and close friend Jeff Witjas said. 

According to White, her optimism was the key to upbeat nature which she said she got from her mother.

“I always find the positive,” White said.

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1922, White was an only child who moved with her parents to Los Angeles during the Great Depression. As a child, White dreamt of becoming a forest ranger or a writer. However, she fell in love with performing when she took the lead in her high school play written by her. She first started performing on radio before launching her acting career.

“You better realize how good life is while it’s happening,” White said. “Because before you know it, it will all be gone.”