Monday January 17 would have been an all too rare milestone for television legend Betty White--it would have been her 100th birthday if she hadn't peacefully passed away on New Year's Eve, just days shy of her big day.
White may have gracefully exited before the day came, but her legions of fans weren't about to let it go without celebrating, including her assistant Kiersten Mikelas.
Mikelas posted what is believed to be among the very last photos ever taken of White, and fans are absolutely loving her heartfelt tribute.
See her Facebook post featuring the photo below.
Along with a photo of the always smiling star, Mikelas wrote:
"Hello Everyone! It’s Kiersten. Betty’s Assistant."
"On this special day, I wanted to share this photo of Betty. It was taken on 12/20/21. I believe it’s one of the last photos of her. She was radiant and beautiful and as happy as ever."
"Thanks to all of you who are doing kind things today and every day to make the world a better place ❤️"
It was the perfect sentiment to go with the photo, which was classic Betty White--all smiles, full makeup and seeming like she was loving the day just like always.
White was not only an icon of television but one of its earliest trailblazers. After a career in radio, White went on to become the first woman to ever produce a sitcom with 1951's Life With Elizabeth, in which she also played the titular role. Sitcoms would become something of a specialty of White's, with starring roles in iconic shows like The Mary Tyler Moor Show and The Golden Girls.
It's no surprise then that White's long and illustrious life has inspired no shortage of tributes. Everyone from White's co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Vicki Lawrence to late comedian Bob Saget and former First Lady Michele Obama have penned loving memorials to White in the weeks since her death.
And just like those all of those homages, Mikelas's post hit White's fans right in the heartstrings, with scores of them commenting on Mikelas's photos with celebrations of her life.
Gary Slone/Facebook
Rhonda Weidner/Facebook
Michael Lori Ignasiak/Facebook
Jeff Corwin/Facebook
Mrs Happy Homemaker/Facebook
Many others commented to commend White's life-long commitment to animals, and to share their participation in the Betty White Challenge, a social media campaign to raise money for animal charities in White's honor.
Patti Levay/Facebook
Patti Holman Whitaker/Facebook
Chewy/Facebook
Jennifer D. Schwaninger/Facebook
Detroit Dog Rescue/Facebook
Here's hoping the outpouring of love gave White a good birthday smile in the great beyond.
