Fans Are Worried About Betty White’s Health After Her Surprise Appearance At The 2018 Emmys

We didn’t expect to see her tonight! Betty White made a surprise appearance at the 2018 Emmys on Monday, Sept. 17 and, after she took the stage, many people expressed their worries over the 96-year-old Hollywood icon’s health on social media. 

“Uh oh is Betty White in poor health? This might be sad #Emmys but damn is she amazing,” one person wrote with another similalry adding, “At 96 years old, her health definitely starting to fail her… but still a humble, amazing, lovely, hilarious, brilliant, adorable goddess. Betty White, I salute you. #Emmys.”

After comedians Kate McKinnon and Alec Baldwin introduced Betty and the actress got a standing ovation from the crowd, the Golden Girls star thanked the audience for their years of support. “I’m just going to quit while I’m ahead,” Betty joked before pretending to walk off-stage. “It’s incredible that I’m still in this business and you’re still putting up with me.”

Though some people were worried that Betty appeared frail and unusually soft-spoken on-stage, the actress also seemed happier than ever. In a recent exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, Steven J. Boettcher — who co-directed the new Betty documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television — revealed the star has no plans to retire from showbiz anytime soon. 

“She told me, ‘I’m going to be in the saddle forever.’ She loves working; she loves the challenge. She’s someone that we’re all better off for that she’s lived this long,” Boettcher said. 

When Betty turned 95 years old in January 2017, she also spoke out about growing older in the spotlight. “I keep thinking, ‘Betty, you’re 95 years old,'” she told Yahoo‘s Katie Couric at the time. “I’m so blessed with good health and faculties and I’ve got memories and all that. You can’t really expect that at 95.” She joked, “You think you’ll fade off into the sunset. Well, the sun sets every night, but I just won’t go away.”  

In a previous interview with Closer Weekly, Betty’s former Hot in Cleveland co-star Wendie Malick joked about the star’s secret to continued good health. “Hot dogs and vodka! It’s her secret weapon. I don’t think it’s for everyone — don’t try it at home!” Wendie revealed. 

“Every single morning she reads the Los Angeles Times cover to cover, along with a couple other newspapers,” a close friend of the actress previously told Closer of Betty’s daily routine. “And she always does at least two full crossword puzzles every day,” he added.

A physical therapist also visits Betty twice per week to lead her through a light exercise regimen which includes a walk around the grounds of her Brentwood, CA home. “She watches golf on Sundays, and then she’ll call me and say, ‘I’ve been working on my golf swing in the living room and I just can’t get my flat-iron swing right!'” her friend told Closer. 

Betty’s dear friend and former housekeeper Edna McNair similarly told Closer the actress hopes to ring in many more birthdays in the future. “Last I talked to her we were teasing each other about how long we’re going to live,” she said. “We said we want to be like Moses and live to be 120!” We’re just so glad Betty continues to feel well — and hope she’s around for many, many more years to come!