Even after many years, fans still cherish The Golden Girls, a sitcom that aired from 1985 to 1992, and starred a quartet of women in their later years. The program, which tackled subjects such as friendship, aging, and sexuality with charm and emotional depth, has left a lasting impact. In this piece, we reflect on the cast and their lives.
Bea Arthur: The Acclaimed Actress Who Won Hearts as Dorothy Zbornak
Bea Arthur had tied the knot twice and parted ways through divorce. She had two sons, Matthew and Daniel, whom she shared with Gene Saks, her second spouse. In 2009, she lost her life at the age of 86 to lung cancer.
Arthur’s portrayal of the assertive and sarcastic Dorothy on The Golden Girls was a hit with audiences and critics alike, earning her another Emmy in 1988. Arthur was married and divorced twice and had two sons, Matthew and Daniel, with her second husband, Gene Saks. She passed away in 2009 due to lung cancer at the age of 86.
Estelle Getty: The Actress Who Nailed the Role of Sophia Petrillo
Estelle Getty played the role of Sophia Petrillo, Dorothy’s mother, on The Golden Girls. Born Estelle Scher, Getty initially auditioned for the part but was considered too young. However, she won the producers over by showing up for a second audition in full costume, complete with gray wig and makeup that made her look much older than she was.
In recognition of her exceptional performance as Sophia, Estelle Getty earned an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1988. She exchanged vows with Arthur Gettleman in 1947 and remained married until his passing in 2004. The couple had two sons, Carl and Barry. Unfortunately, Getty’s life ended in 2008, three days before her 85th birthday, because of Lewy body dementia.
Rue McClanahan: The Southern Belle Who Brought Blanche to Life
Rue McClanahan played the role of Blanche Devereaux, the saucy Southern belle on The Golden Girls. McClanahan had an impressive list of film and Broadway credits before joining the show, including a role in Maude alongside Bea Arthur.
McClanahan’s portrayal of Blanche earned her a nomination for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series four times, and she won the award in 1986. Rue McClanahan had tied the knot six times throughout her life and shared a son, Mark, from her first marriage. Sadly, in 2010, she passed away at the age of 76 due to a severe stroke.
Betty White: The Iconic Actress Who Won Hearts as Rose Nylund
Betty White is a renowned and cherished celebrity in the entertainment industry, recognized for her role as Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls. In the 1950s, she began her career on the television series, Life With Elizabeth, and later appeared in famous shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Hot in Cleveland.
Interestingly, White was initially going to portray the character of Blanche on The Golden Girls, but the producers soon realized that she was a better fit for the role of Rose after they swapped roles. She earned five Emmy awards throughout her career, including one for her portrayal of Rose in 1986. White was married thrice, and Allen Ludden was the love of her life, with whom she shared a marital bond from 1963 until his demise in 1981. Sadly, White passed away in 2021 at the age of 99.
