'Betty White Day' Will Honor Legend In Her Oak Park Hometown: TMZ

OAK PARK, IL — On what would have been actress Betty White’s 100th birthday, Oak Park will celebrate the life of one of its own, honoring the Hollywood star and "Golden Girl" in a way fitting of her hometown.

White, who died last week in Los Angeles at age 99, was born in Oak Park on Jan. 17, 1922, and moved to California as an infant. Despite the fact that the former star of "Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" lived in Oak Park for only a short time, the Village of Oak Park has long considered the television comedy pioneer one of its own, officials said, according to a published report.

TMZ reported that Oak Park will celebrate White’s life in style, including Village President Vicki Scaman issuing a proclamation declaring Jan. 17 “Betty White Day” — which the village plans to make an annual event, the celebrity website reported.

Scaman did not immediately return Patch's message on Tuesday seeking comment about the village's plans to honor White.

White, the pioneer for women working in television, died of natural causes, according to media reports. White’s agent, told Yahoo! Entertainment that reports that White died of complications from a COVID-19 booster are not true.

"Betty died peacefully in her sleep at her home. People are saying her death was related to getting a booster shot three days earlier, but that is not true," Jeff Witjas told Yahoo Entertainment. "She died of natural causes. Her death should not be politicized — that is not the life she lived."

Oak Park businesses also plan to honor White’s legacy with specials such as Mickey’s restaurant offering a special including a hot dog, fries and Diet Coke, which was long a favorite combo for the actress, TMZ reported. Village businesses will also post cutouts of White throughout Oak Park, which will also host a mural contest for local artists.

The winning mural will be displayed permanently downtown, according to the report, which said many residents should be able to celebrate thanks to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which falls on the same day.