Betty White Prefers Dating Older Men: ‘A Cougar I Am Not’
The Golden Girls star Betty White sometimes gets questions about her dating life. She once revealed that if she went on a date with someone, he would have to be older than her.
Betty White doesn’t think a younger man would ‘look her way’
When it comes to younger men, White doesn’t think she has much of a chance. In her book If You Ask Me, she says sometimes she meets someone interesting, but then she finds out he’s younger than her. That usually deters her from moving forward with a relationship.
“Even at this age, once in a while I meet a man who seems a trifle more interesting than usual,” wrote White. “Nothing untoward—just someone who might be fun to know a little better. I’ve even thought (to myself) that it might be nice if he asked me to lunch or dinner, perhaps. Then reality kicks in and it cracks me up. This guy is probably a much younger man—maybe only 80—and not about to even look my way.”
Betty White likes dating older men
White says it’s acceptable now for women to date someone younger than them, be she would rather not date younger. The Golden Girls star says she much prefers older men.
“At this moment in time, it seems somewhat current and choice for women to pair up with younger men,” wrote White. “These guys are called ‘cougars.’ Well, animal lover that I am, a cougar I am not. All my life, even as a kid, I have preferred men older than I am. Unfortunately, today I don’t think there is anyone older than I am!”
Betty White doesn’t worry about being asked to lunch
White says she isn’t concerned about getting asked on a date. Now that she is older, she feels it’s best not to focus too much on her dating life. She mentions her late husband, Allen Ludden, and how she had such a great relationship with him that her Hot in Cleveland co-stars would often ask her about him.
White says her co-stars would ask so often about Ludden that she asked why they always asked her about him. Their was heartwarming. “The answer was simple: ‘We love the look you get on your face when you talk about him,’” wrote White.
The secret to a good relationship
During an interview with Today’s Al Roker, White shares the secret to a good relationship. For her, kindness is what keeps a relationship running smoothly. “You don’t say the hurtful thing, even if you’re irritated or upset, because that sticks,” says White. “That sticks around, or just chips off a little of the other guy’s self-esteem.”
When asked for her secret to youth, White says her work with animals keeps her going. “I think everybody should have or cultivate a passion,” says White. Don’t be afraid to really get hooked on something, because that will refurbish your energy, [and] it will refurbish your interest.”
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