RIP: Betty White dies at 99: Legendary actress passes away just weeks before her milestone 100th birthday

Beloved Golden Girls star Betty White tweeted excitedly about her upcoming 100th birthday on Tuesday - three days before she passed away and just three weeks before her milestone celebration. 

White, who capped a career of more than 80 years by becoming America's sweetheart after Emmy-winning roles on television sitcoms, is believed to have died of natural causes at her home on Friday morning, law enforcement confirmed.

She was not battling any particular ailments and did not have a sudden illness, a source close to the star told

On December 28, she tweeted: 'My 100th birthday… I cannot believe it is coming up, and People Magazine is celebrating with me! The new issue of @People is available on newsstands nationwide tomorrow.' 

Writer John Leavitt joked: 'You gotta admit, having an entire magazine devoted to your 100th birthday hit the racks and then dying before that birthday is excellent comic timing.' 

President Joe Biden led tributes to the star, tweeting: 'Betty White brought a smile to the lips of generations of Americans. 

'She's a cultural icon who will be sorely missed. Jill and I are thinking of her family and all those who loved her this New Year's Eve.'

Barack Obama's official photographer, Pete Souza, posted a charming photo of the pair meeting in the Oval Office, with Obama doubled over in giggles.

'She made us laugh,' Souza said. 

The U.S. Army also thanked her for her service in World War II. 

'We are saddened by the passing of Betty White,' the Army tweeted. 

'Not only was she an amazing actress, she also served during World War II as a member of the American Women's Voluntary Services.'

The volunteer group amassed more than 300,000 members and provided a variety of services and support such as selling war bonds, driving ambulances, trucks, cycle corps and dog-sleds, and working in navigation, aerial photography, aircraft spotting, and fire safety. 

White's biggest role was as batty Rose Nylund in classic sitcom The Golden Girls, and she is the last of the hit show's four leads to die, after saying she'd enjoyed good health throughout her old age. 

A few days ago - in an interview about her upcoming centennial year - White said she was 'so lucky to be in such health and feel so good at this age'. 

White planned to welcome fans at her 100th birthday party by having it filmed for a documentary titled Betty White: 100 Years Young - A Birthday Celebration. 

The film was going to follow White in her day-to-day life and was set to screen at 900 theaters nationwide. After the documentary, cinemas would show live footage of her actual birthday party. 

It is not clear if the screenings will still take place.  

She was last photographed in public running errands with her driver the day before her birthday 98th birthday, in January 2020. The star spent the remainder of last year, and the whole of 2021, shielding from . 

Shortly after that outing, she began limiting contact with others to avoid contracting the virus.

When it first surged, she said she was 'relaxing through her quarantine' at her residence in Los Angeles.

The star's essential errands, like groceries, were being taken care of for her so she wouldn't have to leave her house. Additionally, she was 'only coming in contact with people being equally cautious of the virus' and who respected her state's stay-at-home orders. 

Despite the pandemic, White continued to interact with her loved ones and fans on Zoom calls.

'Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever,' her agent and close friend Jeff Witjas said in a statement issued to

White leaves behind a massive legacy as a comedienne, actress, author, animal rights activist and one of the first female pioneers in television.  

 and other notable figures, including Ryan Reynolds, Reese Witherspoon and Viola Davis, are among luminaries paying tribute to the star.

'That's a shame.

She was a lovely lady. ... 99 years old,' the president told reporters when informed of the actress's death. 'As my mother would say, 'God love her.'' 

First Lady , who was enjoying a New Year's Eve lunch with her husband, added: 'Who didn't love her?
We're so sad about her death.'  

Reynolds, who had just been joking with White over social media a day prior, posted a picture to his Instagram of the actress.

'The world looks different now.

She was great at defying expectation. She managed to grow very old and somehow, not old enough. We'll miss you, Betty,' he wrote. 

 'So sad to hear about Betty White passing,' Witherspoon said. 'I loved watching her characters that brought so much joy.

Thank you, Betty, for making us all laugh!'

'RIP Betty White! Man did I think you would live forever,' wrote Davis. 'You blew a huge hole in this world that will inspire generations. Rest in glorious peace….you've earned your wings.'