Michelle Obama’s heartbreaking tribute to Betty White will make you cry messy tears
Michelle Obama paid tribute to Betty White in the best way. (D Dipasupil/Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic)
Michelle Obama has shared a heartbreaking tribute to Betty White – and it will leave you in pieces.
The world was plunged into mourning on Friday (31 December) when news broke that The Golden Girls icon had died at the age of 99, just weeks before she was due to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Tributes have flooded in for Betty White – but it was Michelle Obama sharing a snap of a special moment they shared that truly floored the internet.
The former first lady shared a picture on Instagram of White with the Obama’s family dog Bo, who died in May 2021.
Michelle Obama praised Betty White for her tireless activism
“Betty White broke barriers, defied expectations, served her country, and pushed us all to laugh,” Michelle Obama wrote.
“She was also an animal lover and activist, and Bo loved spending time with her.
“There was no one quite like her, and Barack and I join so many who will miss the joy she brought to the world.”
She added: “I know our Bo is looking forward to seeing her up in heaven.”
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There was an immediate outpouring of grief when it was revealed that White had died, with many taking to social media to share their favourite memories of the comedy legend.
United States president Joe Biden was among the first to pay tribute to the eight-time Emmy winner.
“Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans,” Biden wrote on Twitter. “She’s a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Year’s Eve.”
Countless other high-profile figures reflected on White’s incredible legacy, including Ellen DeGeneres, Pink, Kathy Griffin, Dionne Warwick, Reese Witherspoon, Viola Davis and Sarah Jessica Parker.
White was affectionately known as the First Lady of Hollywood during her lifetime. Her career spanned six decades, and she worked longer in television than anyone else.
She starred on the CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1973 to 1977, but she is best remembered today for her performance as Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls.
In 2010, she served as guest host on an episode of Saturday Night Live after a Facebook campaign to get her on the show gained traction. NBC re-aired the classic episode on Saturday night (1 January) in tribute to the late icon.
