Betty White memorabilia brought in more than $4 million at a Beverly Hills auction this weekend — the auction had previously estimated raising about $400,000 to $600,000. Bidders attended online and in-person to purchase their choice of 16,000 iconic items from White’s life and career.
The Beverly Hills-based Julien’s Auctions noted that 5,600 bids were placed before the event officially started on Friday. By the end of the weekend, between 4,000 and 5,000 bidders placed more than 12,000 bids.
Golden Girls souvenirs proved (unsurprisingly) particularly popular at the event. White’s director’s chair from the NBC ’80s sitcom went for $76,800, and the pilot and finale scripts signed by the cast both sold for over $50,000.
Her wedding ring from the late actor, Allen Ludden, sold for $25,600, and a framed needlepoint of a tiger she made sold for $5,760. Art and furniture from her Brentwood home went for quite a lot more than auctioneers had expected.
Executive director of Julien’s Auctions Martin Nolan said in a statement, “You would be hard-pressed to find an individual as iconic and well-loved as Betty White, whose impact is absolutely multi-generational.”
Nolan added, “This auction represented a collection unlike anything we have ever seen before which brought in record-breaking results and thousands of Betty’s most loyal fans from all over the world who participated.”
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He gushed about the renowned comedian, “This was a wholesome, funny lady, genuine person, and that’s who her fanbase is. People went away from this auction really feeling good about it.”
To honor White’s passions and life’s work, the funds raised will go to charities supporting the environment and animal welfare.
The beloved actress died at age 99 on December 31, 2021, after suffering a mild stroke six days before. Her agent and dear friend, Jeff Witjas, said at the time, “Betty passed in her sleep peacefully without pain. To me this is the most important thing and brings me comfort as her dear friend. Anything else is private to Betty.”
Witjas added, “Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever.”
