Older people, women especially, are often cast aside by a society that prioritizes youthful good looks. However, there is more merit to aging than first meets the eye. An older generation offers infinite wisdom, provided by years of experience. Moreover, one’s zest for life doesn’t simply disappear once you reach a certain age. Such a zest was demonstrated by the NBC sitcom The Golden Girls.

Focused on four older roommates sharing a home in Miami, Florida, The Golden Girls entertained countless viewers, both young and old. One of the show’s stars, Betty White, had lived much of her career in the public eye as an actor.

In her memoir, Betty White: In Person, White reflects on society’s changing attitudes toward an older generation, where aging characters were not forgotten but celebrated. White believed her show was a testament to this shift.

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“Of late, there has been a growing awareness of ‘the graying of America’...brought on by recent statistics,” wrote White. “It seems to be in a positive sense. If that were not the case, a show such as The Golden Girls wouldn’t stand a chance...again, art is imitating life.”

Not only did White see a positive reflection in television, but she also hoped it would carry over into everyday life. “I am delighted to see even a tendency in that direction, but the old Cosmic View leads me to be cautious,” wrote White. “I just hope it isn’t the new ‘in’ thing, temporarily current and choice. Maybe if it stays long enough, we’ll stop counting and judge others on merit.”