Betty White’s cause of death has been revealed.
According to TMZ, the American icon died from a stroke.
The death certificate, obtained by the outlet, lists the cause of death as “as a cerebrovascular accident,” which is a loss of blood flow to part of the brain that results in brain tissue damage.
It reveals that she suffered the stroke six days prior to her death.
The outlet revealed that sources close to the star said she was alert and coherent following the stroke.
She passed away on New Year’s Eve at the age of 99 peacefully in her sleep at home. She was three weeks shy of her centennial birthday.
Shortly after her death, her agent Jeff Witjas told People in a statement that the Golden Girl died of “natural causes.”
He also debunked any rumors that her death was connected to a COVID-19 booster, noting: "People are saying her death was related to getting a booster shot three days earlier but that is not true. She died of natural causes. Her death should not be politicized — that is not the life she lived."
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He previously confirmed to the Associated Press that White did not receive a booster shot on December 28.
According to Page Six, moments before White died, she called out her late husband Allen Ludden’s name.
White's co-star on "Mama's Family," Vicki Lawrence, exclusively told Page Six that she immediately contacted fellow friend Carol Burnett upon hearing the tragic news. “I texted Carol and said, ‘This just sucks. I hate this. It’s just horrible to see the people you love so much go away,’” she told the outlet.
“Carol wrote back and said, ‘I know, I know. I spoke to Betty’s assistant, who was with her when she passed, and she said the very last word out of her mouth was ‘Allen,'" she revealed, calling the moment "sweet."
"God, I hope that’s true. For all of us, I really hope it’s true, a lovely thought,'" she added.
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While White never had biological children of her own, she is survived by David, Martha, and Sarah Ludden, her stepchildren from her marriage to Ludden, who died of stomach cancer in 1981. She never remarried following his death telling the late Larry King that “once you've had the best, who needs the rest?”
The Oak Park, Illinois native will be laid to rest in a private funeral.
Witjas told People that "The arrangements are being handled privately and that was Betty's wish. As in life, she never wanted people to make a fuss over her."
Beloved by millions around the world, Witjas urged White's fans to honor her memory by making a contribution to charitable organizations.
"If someone has a desire to do something in her honor, you can support or donate to one or more of her favorite charities or even donate to a local animal charity of your choice," he told the outlet.
White’s hometown will be celebrating “Betty White Day” on January 17.
In addition to portraying sweet Rose Nylund on "The Golden Girls," White's most memorable roles include the witty Sue Ann Nivens on the long-running “The Mary Tyler Moore Show," along with recurring roles “Boston Legal,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and “Hot in Cleveland." She also appeared on “Bones,” “Community,” and “Young and Hungry," while being the oldest host of “Saturday Night Live” in 2010.
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