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Assistant posts video Betty White wanted to share on her 100th birthday: ‘Stick around’

FILE - Actress Betty White poses for a portrait in Los Angeles on June 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

(WJW) — Grab a tissue, Betty White fans.

White’s assistant, Kiersten Mikelas, who now manages the late Hollywood legend’s social media accounts, posted a video Friday that White meant to share with her fans on her 100th birthday.


White died at her home on Dec. 31 at the age of 99, just weeks before she was to turn 100.

In a post on Instagram, Mikelas first referenced a movie event that played at theaters across the country in honor of White’s Jan. 17 birthday: “Betty White: 100 Years Young — A Birthday Celebration.”

“When we recorded her special message to fans who attended the movie, we also recorded one that we had planned to put on social media on her birthday,” she wrote. “She was using the occasion of her 100th birthday to celebrate YOU — her fans. She knew how lucky she was. She felt the love, and she never took it for granted.”

White says in that video shared Friday: “I just want to thank you all for your love and support over the years. Thank you so much, and stick around.”

Mikelas also thanked everyone around the world who participated in #thebettywhitechallenge by making donations to their favorite animal shelters in honor of White, who was an avid animal lover.

“She could have never imagined such an outpouring of love and would have been so grateful to everyone,” Mikelas wrote.

***View a video of the news of White’s passing below.

White’s career spanned more than seven decades, captivating generations of audiences. She was a staple of TV game shows, made several appearances on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and even had her own show, which bore her name, before starring as Rose on the “Golden Girls.”

From there, she made countless guest appearances and in 2010, she became the oldest person to host “Saturday Night Live,” which earned her an Emmy.

White was also known for her support of animal welfare and LGBTQ rights.