Buzz
At just 63, the iconic Betty White redefined aging by playing a spirited older woman in The Golden Girls. Her character, Rose Nylund, hailed from a Minnesota farming family. Though often seen as naive, Rose was far from unintelligent. Discover 25 pieces of heartfelt wisdom from the master of St. Olaf tales.
1. Celebrate your blessings and find genuine joy in them.
“If I weren’t the one going, I’d be so envious of myself.”
While it’s a timeless saying to appreciate what you have, Rose Nylund truly lives by it. She may not use strong language, but she’s deeply thankful for her home, loving family, good health, and even the joy of dining out with friends.
2. Show love and care for the animals around you.
“As a kid, I’d get so excited that I’d pet the cat a little too vigorously.”
On The Golden Girls, Rose had a deep affection for dogs, cats, minks, mice, pigs, and more. She always went out of her way to protect them and shower them with affection. She believed in the mutual bond between humans and animals, even crediting a chicken with saving her life once.
3. Never miss a chance to dance.
“Have you ever come across something known as dirty dancing?”
From tap-dancing in performances to flipping in ballrooms or even dirty dancing in the living room with Blanche’s hand on her back, Rose never hesitated to have fun and show everyone how it’s done.
4. It’s okay to acknowledge when you’re unsure about something.
“I can’t figure out how a thermos manages to keep things both hot and cold.”
Honestly, who truly does understand how a thermos functions? Admitting you don’t know something is the first step to learning. Though Rose was often seen as naive, she arguably grew the most among the four women because she wasn’t afraid to ask questions—even if they seemed a bit silly.
5. Recognize when it’s time to step back and recharge.
“Sometimes I just want to hide under the blankets and eat Velveeta straight from the box.”
Everyone has tough days—even someone as upbeat and positive as Rose. If you don’t allow yourself to process your emotions and sit with your struggles, you’ll never truly overcome them. Be kind to yourself and take a breather when needed, whether that means enjoying a block of Velveeta or a sweet Rice Krispies treat.
6. Choose a partner who truly understands your preferences.
“He’s thoughtful, he’s kind, and he thinks I’m more amazing than hard salami.”
The joy of dating lies in finding someone who truly understands you. Whether it’s knowing you love role-playing, enjoy entertaining yourself with hand puppets, or have a fondness for cured meats, a partner who knows you well enough to soften your Häagen-Dazs is truly special.
7. Focus more on enjoying intimacy than boasting about it.
“In my experience, people who talk about it a lot usually don’t do it very often.”
Even casual fans of The Golden Girls know Blanche is the group’s resident flirt. But it might surprise you to learn that Rose had 56 boyfriends in high school—and she could have had more if she’d been allowed to date before her senior year. (Though, rest assured, Rose didn’t get intimate with any of them.)
8. Never stop putting in the effort.
“Being close to Charlie was wonderful. But it took me five years to understand what could make your eyes roll back.”
Rose’s first real experience with intimacy—aside from seeing “what makes a bull a bull”—was on her wedding night with her husband Charlie. As most people know, it’s rarely the first time that leaves you breathless. It takes practice and persistence.
9. Don’t hesitate to lean on your friends when you need support.
“I might almost end up in bed with the caterer again.”
When Rose is invited to a wedding while her boyfriend is away, she’s concerned about her impulses—because weddings excite her. It’s admirable to know your weaknesses, and even more so to ask your friends to help you stay true to your limits. So, if you struggle to resist temptation, let your friends step in and keep you in check.
10. There are moments when being brutally honest is necessary.
“Sometimes, life just isn’t fair, kiddo.”
Rose tends to look for the best in people and give them the benefit of the doubt. However, there are times—like when a child is holding your favorite teddy bear hostage—when it’s perfectly fine to snatch the bear back, show them the door, and set them straight. Life isn’t always fair, but when justice is served, it can be incredibly satisfying.
11. You can’t dictate others’ actions, so don’t even try.
“If you hold a bird softly, it will stay. But if you squeeze it, its eyes will pop out.”
While it may not be the most poetic way to put it, a bird with bulging eyes perfectly illustrates how people feel when you try to control them. So, don’t. Share your thoughts, but understand that your friends, partners, and family must live their own lives and make their own decisions. And they should respect your choices too, even if it means eating candied herring with Red Hots for eyes.
12. Embrace growing older, as it often brings wisdom.
“The older you get, the better you become. Unless you’re a banana.”
As the girls ponder what it would be like to raise a baby again, Rose points out that aging is something to celebrate. This isn’t just about avoiding the challenges of parenting later in life, but also about knowing yourself better—like realizing you enjoy making cheese but have no interest in visiting thimble museums.
13. Always look after your elders.
“We didn’t just care for our elderly; we respected them, honored them, and placed them on a pedestal. Of course, that’s also why we became the broken hip capital of the Midwest.”
Valuing your own aging process naturally extends to valuing the aging of others. At the very least, caring for elders is an investment in your own future. Rose understands that Sophia, with her wealth of wisdom, has much to offer—even if much of it comes in the form of snarky get-rich-quick schemes.
14. It’s possible to feel empathy for those who are different from you.
“I don’t fully grasp these kinds of feelings. But if I did, if I were like you, I’d feel deeply honored and proud that you thought of me in that way.”
When Dorothy’s friend (a woman) confesses to Rose that she’s falling in love with her, Rose responds with grace. She offers a gentle rejection, delivered with honesty, openness, and empathy. Being unfamiliar with someone’s experience is no reason to be unkind.
15. Don’t shy away from taking control when necessary.
“Alright, everyone, shut the hell up!”
It’s surprising when someone usually quiet suddenly loses their temper, but it’s often for a valid reason. Rose is a perfect example of someone who remains composed most of the time—but when she’s had enough, she takes charge. Whether it’s rescuing you from a desert island or telling a neighbor to drop dead (which they do), she steps up when it counts.
16. Managing your finances is crucial.
“I think I need a new menu. Mine appears to have errors. For instance, it lists a small glass of tomato juice at $6.”
Whether it’s the shock of seeing juice prices on a Manhattan hotel menu, advising her roommate to avoid bankrupting her hometown, or launching a second career as a consumer reporter, Rose Nylund knows the importance of financial awareness.
17. Allow your children to live their own lives.
“Humans are the only creatures who believe it’s their responsibility to care for their children forever. We’re also the only species that uses corn holders shaped like corn on the cob when eating corn on the cob.”
If your daughter decides to reconnect with her ex-husband, you can share your opinion—but you can’t stop her. Eventually, your kids must grow up and learn to handle their own lives, even if it means figuring out how to use quirky corn holders.
18. Address and resolve your conflicts directly.
“You can let two angry mackerel duke it out in a purse, but don’t expect to carry that purse to a fancy event.”
While Rose’s Scandinavian proverb might not translate perfectly, her point is clear: don’t let negativity fester. Address your issues head-on, resolve them, and move forward. It’s natural to want reconciliation, even if—like Sophia and her sister—you’ve harbored a grudge for 30 years over a Christmas party mishap.
19. Appreciate life’s small joys and avoid rushing through them.
“I’m likely the most patient person you’ve ever met. Go ahead, try to think of someone else. I’ll wait.”
Rose’s endless St. Olaf stories about churning butter and baking snickerdoodles highlight her fondness for childhood memories and her ability to slow down and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. She even knows how to savor a soufflé while waiting for a date who’s struggling to perform.
20. Flirting can be a delightful experience.
“Want to see some Polaroids of me in my tennis skirt?”
Rose wasn’t hesitant to show off her legs or wear outfits that emphasized her figure, proudly boasting the fullest bosom among her friends. (She also didn’t hold back on the dance floor, as seen in the video above.) So, don’t be afraid to embrace a little playful flirting.
21. Embrace an exciting adventure from time to time.
“Oh, nothing compares to skydiving. The feeling of soaring through the air, the freedom, and the thrill of plunging toward a field while watching a cow grow larger and larger.”
You don’t need to skydive to add excitement to your life. For instance, Rose has been known to indulge in raw cookie dough and run through sprinklers without a swim cap. The key is to step out of your comfort zone occasionally, even if it might lead to a stomachache or an injury.
22. Embrace the opportunity to take risks and start anew.
“It won’t take long for me to meet kind people and make new friends. I have a really good feeling about that.”
After her children left home and her husband passed away, Rose took a bold step and moved from Minnesota to Miami, knowing no one there. A few years later, she found the best friends of her life—Dorothy, Blanche, and Sophia—by responding to a roommate ad. If you don’t take risks, life remains stagnant. Take the leap.
23. It’s possible to take pride in your achievements while remaining humble.
“I’m not one to boast about my vertubenflugen.”
Rose takes pride in her accomplishments, like modernizing obscure Scandinavian dishes for the 1980s, but she doesn’t feel the need to brag excessively. While she’s proud of her Geneukenfleuken cake and bowling victories, she understands that not everyone shares her enthusiasm—so she keeps her trophies in her bedroom and savors her achievements privately.
24. Respect places and cultures that aren’t your own.
“We might not have French boutiques, valet parking, or facelifts for Christmas, but we have friends, family, a strong sense of community, and care for one another—and that’s something truly special.”
The Midwest, Rose’s home, often faces unfair criticism, especially from those who consider themselves more “worldly.” It’s a timeless lesson: don’t judge something until you’ve experienced it, and even then, recognize that it might hold value for others. People come from diverse backgrounds and places—embrace that diversity!
25. Let go of grudges and move on. Life is incredibly short.
“I can’t stay upset with my closest friends. We’ve shared over 500 cheesecakes, after all.”
Your best friends might occasionally upset you, but holding onto negativity isn’t worth it. By focusing on the good moments, you can make life feel richer and more meaningful. Always take the opportunity to express gratitude to your friends for their presence in your life.
