The Golden Girls: Unveiling Their Ageless Charm Throughout the Show
Discover the ages of the beloved Golden Girls characters! Rue McClanahan played the youngest Blanche, while Bea Arthur's Dorothy was in her 50s at the start Betty White's Rose was older than Blanche and Dorothy, and Estelle Getty's Sophia was the oldest in the group
The Golden Girls, a beloved series set in Miami, revolves around four older single women living together in the same house. One of the most iconic aspects of the show is its cast, but how old were the leading ladies supposed to be in the 1985 series? Blanche, a widow, opens her home to other lonely single ladies, leading to widows Rose and Sophia, as well as divorcee Dorothy, moving in with her. Running successfully for seven seasons from 1985 to 1992, The Golden Girls also spawned several spinoffs and series within its universe.
The show's focus on the older age and widowhood of its main cast is a major element of The Golden Girls. In addition to the four main women, the series features characters such as Dorothy's cheating ex-husband Stanley, Rose's boyfriend Miles, and various siblings and children of the women. The age range portrayed in the show is quite wide, making it interesting to compare the ages of The Golden Girls' characters to those of their respective actors.
How Old Every Main Character Was In The Golden Girls
In the TV show, The Golden Girls, the exact ages of the main characters, including Dorothy, Sophia, Rose, and Blanche, are not specifically mentioned. However, it can be inferred that their ages span from their late 40s to late 80s. Similarly, supporting characters like Stan and Blanche's siblings are assumed to fall within this age range as well. Additionally, Dorothy's children, Michael and Kate, are estimated to be in their 20s or 30s during the show. Dorothy herself is presumed to be around 55 years old.
Rose - 55
Blanche - 53
Sophia - 79
Stan - 57
Clayton Hollingsworth - 45
Angelo Grisanti - 82
Angela Grisanti Vecchio - 84
Michael - 23-29
Rue McClanahan's Blanche Devereaux Was The Youngest In The Golden Girls
While Rue McClanahan portrayed the character of Blanche Devereaux in The Golden Girls, the actor was actually younger than her character, starting the series at the age of 51. Despite being the youngest member of the main cast, McClanahan adeptly brought Blanche to life, a promiscuous widow hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. Blanche's enchanting Southern Belle persona was tinged with a flirty disposition, though the lingering grief from her husband's passing was evident. It is worth noting that Blanche, as the proud owner of the Miami house, reaches the age of 60 by the end of the series.
Bea Arthur's Dorothy Zbornak Was In Her 50s When The Golden Girls Started
At the start of The Golden Girls, Dorothy Zbornak is depicted as being approximately 53-55 years old. By the end of the series, her age is suggested to be around 60-62. Interestingly, Bea Arthur, the actress who portrays Dorothy, was actually 63 years old during filming. In fact, Arthur was among the oldest of the lead actors in The Golden Girls. Unlike her fellow Golden Girls, Dorothy is not a widow but rather has a deadbeat ex-husband named Stan, whom she was married to for 38 years before he betrayed her. Known for her sarcastic nature, quick temper, and being the target of jokes, Dorothy's character differs significantly from Bea Arthur's own age, making it the most surprising aspect among the cast of The Golden Girls.
Betty White's Rose Nylund Was Older Than Blanche & Dorothy
One of the few Golden Girls with a confirmed age,
Estelle Getty's Sophia Petrillo Was The Oldest In The Golden Girls
, is Rose Nylund. It is revealed in the show that Rose is 55 years old during season 1, which means she is 62 by the time the series concludes. Similar to Bea Arthur, Betty White, the actress who portrays Rose, is actually 63 when The Golden Girls begins, making her almost ten years older than her character. Rose is beloved for her sweet disposition, though she often becomes the target of jokes due to her perceived lack of intelligence. Throughout the series, she embarks on a romantic relationship with Miles Webber, a college professor. Additionally, Rose is renowned for sharing peculiar anecdotes about her upbringing in Minnesota.
Sophia Petrillo, one of the four Golden Girls, is depicted as the oldest among them. At the beginning of the series, her character is written to be 79 years old, while by the end, she is portrayed as 86. However, there is an intriguing twist to this. The actress who plays Sophia, Estelle Getty, was only 62 when she first took on the role. This means that she was not only younger than her character, but even a year younger than Bea Arthur, who portrays her daughter in the series. Sophia, a widow, is Dorothy's mother in The Golden Girls. Originally from Sicily, she managed to escape an arranged marriage. Sophia is known for her sharp wit, straightforwardness, and exceptional cooking skills.
