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Betty White couldn't believe she was ‘still here’ at 2018 Emmy Awards

The television academy had already honored her with a lifetime achievement award in 2010 and she was not nominated for any performance that year, and yet the organizers took a special moment to honor the Golden Girl one final time

Legendary actress Betty White, who died December 31 at the age of 99, made her last TV appearance in 2018, during the 70th Annual Emmy Awards where she seemed to be in disbelief about the fact that she was "still in this business."

The television academy had already honored her with a lifetime achievement award in 2010 and she was not nominated for any performance that year, and yet the organizers took a special moment to honor the Golden Girl one final time. As a fragile White was helped to the podium, celebrities attending the ceremony rose to their feet and many of them wipes tears off their faces. Being the natural comedian that she was, White offered her hand to presenter Alec Baldwin, to kiss as if she was royalty, as she smiled, thanked everyone for their love and appreciation. 

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"You think I'm going to miss a chance when I get it?" she joked, pointing at a blushing Baldwin next to her. Taking the mic, she admitted that she never dreamed of achieving such recognition and love. "It's incredible that I'm still in this business... and you are still putting up with me," she confessed. "It's incredible that you can stay in a career this long and still have people put up with you.
"I wish they did that at home!"

How did Betty White die?

According to TMZ that the iconic star died at her home on the morning of New Year's Eve just weeks before her milestone 100th birthday on January 17. She was not battling any particular ailment and did not have any illnesses. She died from natural causes. Her agent and friend Jeff Witjas said in a statement to 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. 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." 

Opening up about her health in a rare interview earlier this week, White revealed that she remained in the best of her health because she maintains a positive outlook on life. "I'm so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age, It's amazing," she told People Magazine. The actress admitted that something that was imperative to her upbeat nature was the fact that she was "born a cockeyed optimist." She continued: "I got it from my mom, and that never changed. I always find the positive."

Betty White celebrated her upcoming birthday in her last tweet

In a final tweet before her death, Betty reflected on her upcoming milestone, saying, "My 100th birthday… I cannot believe it is coming up." Alongside a throwback photo of the star, Betty revealed on Instagram that she was hosting a special event for her birthday. The text below the photo read: "Betty White invites you to her 100th Birthday celebration event."

Plans for her celebration included a special one-night-only event with famous friends, including Ryan Reynolds, Tina Fey, Robert Redford, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Leno, Carol Burnett, Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel, Valerie Bertinelli, James Corden, Wendy Malick, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Betty captioned the post: "I’m going BIG for my birthday - right to the BIG SCREEN! Get your tickets and join me at the link in my bio."