Betty White had a special connection with the Georgia Aquarium

ATLANTA — Beloved ‘Golden Girls’ actress Betty White died Friday at age 99, just days before her 100th birthday.

Today, we’re remembering White’s special connection to the Georgia Aquarium.

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White has said that she had a life-changing experience with a beluga whale named Beethoven at the aquarium in 2010. She even wrote about the encounter and her return visit to swim with him in her memoir, “Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo.”

“I know he didn’t, but it was almost like he recognized me,” White wrote. “He sped across his enormous pool to give me a welcoming kiss.”

In 2011, the aquarium named its dolphin character mascot Betty after Betty White.

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“Betty White truly believes in the dedicated work the Georgia Aquarium does on behalf of aquatic animals,” then-aquarium president and COO David Kimmel said. “Her commitment to supporting awareness for our research and conservation programs is remarkable, and her enthusiasm, understanding and passion for all animals make her an ideal ambassador for the zoological community.”

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White was a longtime animal advocate, working with organizations like the Los Angeles Zoo, the Morris Animal Foundation and Actors & Others for Animals.

With an acting career spanning back to 1939, White is best known for such roles as Sue Ann Nivens on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ Rose Nylund in the hit sitcom ‘The Golden Girls’ and Elka Ostrovsky in ‘Hot in Cleveland.’

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