Late actress Betty White has been honored by the United States Postal Service (USPS) with the release of its new forever stamp.
A forever stamp is a stamp that will always remain valid for 1-ounce First-Class Mail postage despite any rate increases.
On Thursday, White’s stamp was unveiled at a ceremony at the Los Angeles Zoo. The comedian had worked with the zoo since its opening in 1966 until her death in December 2021 at the age of 99—just 17 days before her 100th birthday.
Newsweek has reached out to the USPS via email for comment.
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The stamp features a portrait of White wearing a blue polka-dot blouse against a light purple background. The digital illustration was created by Boston-based artist Dale Stephanos and is based on a photo taken by Kwaku Alston in 2010.
“When I was working on the stamp surrounding myself with Betty White videos and pictures, I felt like I was working on a portrait of a family member,” Stephanos said, per the Associated Press. “I wanted Betty’s huge personality to take center stage.”
He added: “This stamp is special because let’s face it, everybody loves Betty White.”
White’s successful career spanned over decades, with starring roles in The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Hot in Cleveland. She won multiple Emmy Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards, as well as a Grammy Award.
During Thursday’s ceremony, singer-songwriter Ellis Hall performed a portion of “Thank You for Being a Friend,” which was The Golden Girls‘ theme song.
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White was a known animal lover, and Richard Lichtenstein—a board member of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association—praised her for her work.
“Animals were her kids and she loved them all—any shape, size and kind,” he said, per the AP.
“Who didn’t love Betty White? Her smile, her sense of humor, her basic decency,” Lichtenstein continued. “Our country, our city and yes, even our Los Angeles Zoo, would be much better if more people followed her example. Betty White put her stamp on everyone and anyone she came in contact with.”
Prior to her death, The Proposal star set up a private foundation that funds zoo programs.
“This zoo, its inhabitants and this community meant so much to Betty White just as she meant so much to all of us,” Amber McReynolds, chair of the USPS board of governors, told the AP. “Betty White was an American treasure.”
White’s forever stamps are currently available to purchase in panes of 20 for $14.60.
The USPS’ website states: “Honor the life and legacy of actor, TV personality, and animal advocate Betty White (1922-2021), whose television appearances spanned the history of the medium and delighted generations of fans.”
The Associated Press reporting contributed to this article.