Betty White, TV star and America's sweetheart, through the years

White was born Jan. 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Illinois, and grew up in Los Angeles. (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

She did some modeling and by the 1940s was getting work on radio.  (Getty Images)

That segued into hosting a variety show on television. In 1950, she was nominated for her first Emmy. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

After appearing as the title character on the television show "Life With Elizabeth" from 1952-55, White went on to appear on a number of talk and game shows in the 1950s and '60s. (NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

In 1973, she landed the first part that brought her national recognition: Sue Ann Nivens, the conniving, sweet-as-pie-stab-you-in-the-back happy homemaker on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," a role that brought her back-to-back Emmys. (CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)

White's next signature part, Rose Nylund on "The Golden Girls," was almost the opposite of Sue Ann. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

White went on to appear as a guest star on a number of television shows, on the soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful," in the 2009 film "The Proposal" and a 2010 Super Bowl ad for Snickers, before joining "Hot in Cleveland" later that year. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

White was also known for her affinity for animals. The actress was an active supporter of a number of animal organizations and zoos. (Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

White was married three times: in 1945 to Army pilot Dick Barker, from 1947-49 to Hollywood agent Lane Allen and to "Password" host Allen Ludden from 1963 until his death in 1981. Ludden and White are pictured here. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Throughout her storied career, White was honored with eight Emmys. She also received the lifetime achievement award in 2015. (Reuters)