Honoring Betty White
Photos by Tad Motoyama
A lifelong lover of wildlife, Betty White was a 糖心视频ociation (GLAZA) trustee and donor, passionate Zoo advocate, City of Los Angeles 鈥淎mbassador to the Animals,鈥� and an honorary zookeeper. Here, we honor and celebrate her lasting and loving legacy at the L.A. Zoo.
Quick Links
- Take 鈥淏etty鈥檚 L.A. Zoo Tour鈥�
- 鈥淏e Like Betty鈥� and donate to support wildlife and communities
- Browse 鈥淏etty鈥檚 Life at the L.A. Zoo鈥� photo album
- Read the 2012 Zoo View profile of Betty in honor of her 90th birthday
- Watch hilarious Zoo ads starring Betty and her friend and fellow GLAZA trustee Slash
- Learn about Betty鈥檚 Zoo legacy and a cherished namesake program
Betty鈥檚 L.A. Zoo Tour
Betty White was a 糖心视频ociation (GLAZA) trustee and donor for more than 50 years. Now, you have the chance to walk in Betty鈥檚 footsteps and read her words as you explore the L.A. Zoo! Make a donation to GLAZA today to access Betty鈥檚 Zoo Tour on your mobile device. You鈥檒l be supporting the nonprofit organization she held so dear while getting new perspective on the place she called her 鈥渉ome away from home.鈥�
Be Like Betty
Betty was a passionate and committed supporter of the mission to save wildlife, enrich communities, and create connections to nature. You can be, too! Consider donating today to 鈥淏e Like Betty.鈥�
I will never come away from a zoo visit without having seen something or learned something to remember.
Betty White in her book “Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo“
Betty鈥檚 Life at the L.A. Zoo
Explore five decades of friendship and advocacy through archival photos and remembrances from some of Betty鈥檚 favorite people鈥攝ookeepers!
From the Archives
L.A. ZOO BLOG: BETTY鈥橲 ANIMAL BUSINESS
In honor of her 90th birthday, Betty was profiled in the Winter 2012 issue of our premium member magazine,鈥�Zoo View. 鈥淚 wanted to make clear the wonderful work that zoos do, not only in working with each other to keep the genetic pool diversified, but also in helping endangered wild populations,鈥� she said at the time. 鈥淲hat we鈥檝e learned about species in zoos we can apply to endangered wild animals鈥攁nd prevent them from disappearing.鈥�
Betty’s commercials for the LAIR
Along with fellow GLAZA trustee Slash, Betty starred in hilarious TV commercials promoting the March 2012 opening of the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles), which promised to be the “wildest spot in L.A.”
“the lair: Mexican Giant Horned Lizards”
“THE LAIR: Madagascar Radiated Tortoise”
“THE LAIR: Green Pythons”
Betty鈥檚 Legacy
For more than fifty years, Betty White was one of the Los Angeles Zoo鈥檚 most ardent admirers and devoted benefactors. Throughout her busy Hollywood career, she remained a steady presence at the Zoo. Always ready to roll up her sleeves and get to work, she was a longtime GLAZA trustee, a Zoo Commissioner, served on countless committees, and worked behind the scenes to raise funds for new animal habitats and initiatives. And, because of plans that she put in motion before she died, her legacy will continue to live on in myriad ways here, thanks in part to a private foundation established to support the place she called her 鈥渉ome away from home.
A key initiative funded by Betty鈥檚 foundation is the Zoo Pals scholarship program, which provides students from under-resourced Los Angeles schools with opportunities to experience the magic and wonder of the Zoo. In tribute to Betty鈥檚 enduring support for the Zoo, animals, and the communities of L.A., the program was renamed Betty White鈥檚 Zoo Pals in 2023.
Students from under-served L.A. schools experience the magic and wonder of the Zoo thanks to Betty White鈥檚 Zoo Pals scholarship program.