The Heartwarming Story Of Who Inherited Betty White’s Money After Her Death

Betty White once quipped to CNN, “I have to stay in show business to pay for my animal business,” — a line that perfectly captured her lifelong passion for animals. Though the full details of her estate haven’t been made public, Bridget Mackay Law points out that it’s widely believed White left most of her estimated $75 million fortune to support animal causes. The Daily Star noted these likely included the same animal welfare groups she championed throughout her life.

Even after her passing in December 2021, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday, her love for animals lived on. In September 2022, items from her long Hollywood career were sold at auction, raising an extra $4 million for animal and environmental charities, according to The Wall Street Journal.

White was married to TV host Allen Ludden until his death in 1981. She didn’t have biological children, but was a stepmother to his three kids — and also a devoted pet owner. It’s believed she arranged a pet trust to ensure her animals would be cared for.

Upon her death, her agent Jeff Witjas told People, “Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever. I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much.” He added, “I don’t think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again.”

The Animal Charities That Were Close to Betty White

Betty White wasn’t just a TV icon or comedy legend—she was a lifelong animal lover with a heart as big as her career. While the exact details of where her money went after her passing remain private, we do know this: she spent her life supporting causes that made a difference for animals. According to CNN, she backed organizations like the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (where she was a trustee for 40 years), American Humane, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Endangered Wolf Center, and BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center.

Long before Hollywood came calling, Betty had her sights set on a very different path. “Back when I started, girls couldn’t be forest rangers,” she told Smithsonian Magazine in 2012. “But now they made me an honorary one, made it very official, and I was deeply honored.” Her love for animals didn’t stop there. “I have been such a zoo nut all my life that I am practically a zookeeper,” she added.

Betty credited her parents for that passion. “Both my mother and father were tremendous animal lovers,” she said. “They imbued in me the fact that, to me, there isn’t an animal on the planet that I don’t find fascinating and want to learn more about.”

And when she passed, the Monterey Bay Aquarium wrote:

“To honor her tireless devotion to animal advocacy work, we are renaming our planned giving program the Betty White Ocean Legacy Circle.”

How the #BettyWhiteChallenge Took Off

Betty White may have passed just weeks before turning 100, but fans didn’t let that milestone go uncelebrated. Instead, they turned it into something powerful—the #BettyWhiteChallenge. The idea was simple: donate $5 to any animal charity or shelter in her honor. But the response? Huge. According to Variety, the challenge raised $12.7 million on Facebook and Instagram alone.
Animal lovers everywhere joined in. People highlighted just a few of the organizations that received support, including the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BCSPCA), the Nashville Humane Association, and the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando.

Best Friends Animal Society, which had received Betty’s support for over two decades, also saw a wave of generosity. CEO Julie Castle said in a statement (via CNET):

“Betty White was a champion for animals and Best Friends Animal Society was lucky enough to receive donations from her for over 20 years. She was always thinking and caring for pets in need and this challenge is a beautiful way to support your local shelter and honor her legacy. We are so thankful for everything she has done for animals and we are so grateful for all who are donating to help save them all.”