Sally Struthers recalls being 'fat-shamed' by Betty White
Not everyone held Betty White, affectionately dubbed "America's grandmother," in high regard. During a chat on the podcast "Let's Talk About That! With Larry Saperstein and Jacob Bellotti," actress Sally Struthers recounted an encounter she had with White, who passed away in 2021 at 99 years old. Struthers, known for her role in "All in the Family," acknowledged the widespread adoration White received throughout her life, noting that people "loved so much."
"They even signed petitions to have her guest host on 'Saturday Night Live,'" Struthers remarked. "I am aware of all that. My own experience with her wasn't as delightful." Struthers depicted White as a "very passive-aggressive woman."
She narrated an incident at White's residence while collaborating on a new game show. White asked her housekeeper to serve them something to eat. A plate of cookies was presented to those gathered around the table. Struthers reached for a cookie, but White quipped, "Oh, if I were you, dear, I'd steer clear of that cookie," in front of everyone.
The podcast hosts reacted with astonishment. "She completely fat-shamed me in front of everyone present," Struthers continued. "I thought to myself, 'That wasn't very nice.'" However, Struthers had more favorable remarks about White's "Golden Girls" co-star, Bea Arthur.
Long before that show gained popularity, Arthur guest-starred as Maude, a cousin to Jean Stapleton’s Edith Bunker on "All in the Family." Struthers described Arthur as "a force of nature," leading to the creation of the spin-off series "Maude," which aired from 1972 to 1978 on CBS. Arthur succumbed to cancer in 2009 at the age of 86.
