Betty White’s Love With Late Husband Inspired One Of Her Poignant Film Roles

Dec 09, 2022

Betty White was beloved by fans all around the world. "The Golden Girls" star cemented her iconic status as one of television’s greats. With a decades-long career, over time, she became so much more than an instantly recognizable film and television star. White was a loving wife, talented comedian, doting mother and all-around amazing person, who inspired fellow actors as well as everyday people with her light and presence. 

On stage and in front of the camera, White was initially best known for her work in a handful of comedic and variety shows on television, as well as a handful of feature films that showed off just how funny she truly was. Some of her most notable roles come from shows such as “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Golden Girls” and “Hot in Cleveland.”

White was also dedicated to her family as much as her career. Another beautiful fact about White is that she was married to the love of her life, Allen Ludden, for almost 20 years, staying with him up until his death in 1981. She was a devoted wife to him and took on the role of becoming stepmother to his three children, David, Martha and Sarah. Although White never had biological children of her own, she was still incredibly wonderful to the three. 

White's marriage to Ludden would go on to inspire and empower the actress throughout her career. In 2011, she acted in the movie, "The Lost Valentine," a role that reminded the actress of her life's love, which was why she took on the project.

The beloved actress was married a total of three times. Her first marriage to Dick Barker lasted from 1945 until 1946. Her second was to fellow actor and agent Lane Allen in 1947. However, their marriage ended just two years later due to Allen constantly pressuring White to give up her acting career. 

After those heartaches, White finally met Mr. Right. In 1963, she married Ludden, staying with him until his tragic death in 1981. During an interview with the Daily Mail, White explained she had no plans of getting married again after that. She said, “Once you’ve had the best, who needs the rest?”

Of course, mourning the loss of her husband while still parenting her three stepchildren was at times challenging, but something that White knew she needed to do. During an interview with Times Go By, White talked about the process and the challenge of moving on. “There’s no formula,” she said. “Keep busy with your work and your life. You can’t become a professional mourner. It doesn’t help you or others. Keep the person in your heart all the time. Replay the good times. Be grateful for the years you had.”

White stayed busy with a successful career in the years that followed and she loved it. Speaking with Katie Couric, she explained: “It is such a blessing. I cannot possibly tell you, Katie, and it’s a constant surprise to me because as you get to this age, you’ve lost a lot of your close ones that you – you don’t just sit and talk to them about it, they’re not there anymore.”

While White had a successful, thrilling life for many years following Ludden's untimely death, she always remembered him, especially in one Hallmark Hall of Fame film she starred in in 2011.

Decades earlier, Allen had fallen unexpectedly ill while White was working on "The Carol Burnett Show." Her co-star, Carol Burnett, remembered how the couple seemed "terrific together." However, soon White's husband became "very, very sick," which clearly affected White, but the actress "soldiered through."

Burnett commented: "She would come and rehearse and then leave and go to the hospital." She continued, touching on how heartbroken White was, "She had to be suffering something awful, because they loved each other so much." Commenting on the couple's unforgettable dynamic, Burnett said: "She's very funny, and Allen had a great sense of humor … it was joyful. There's no other way to describe it."

This story of love and loss echoed in White's Hallmark film, "The Lost Valentine." In the movie, White played a widow whose husband died in World War II, but she carried his memory with her. White similarly remembered her beloved Ludden those years later. She told interviewers:

"My beloved Allen Ludden and I had a very special, special love as do Neil and Caroline in the film."

The actress picked up on the parallels between the lovers and jumped at the opportunity, as she said, "When you’ve had a love like that in your life, it’s an awful temptation to revisit it." What a touching story. White's love for Ludden is truly inspiring. 

What's your favorite of Betty White's many acting roles? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends and family, as well as any fellow "Golden Girls" lovers!