Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK

Vicki Lawrence reveals Betty White's 'sweet and loving' last word before her death

When the heartbreaking news of Betty White's death at 99 years old on New Year's Eve was confirmed by her agent, Jeff Witjas, he made sure to note the iconic Emmy winner's enduring love for her late husband of 18 years, Allen Ludden.

"Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever," Witjas wrote in a widely shared statement. "I will miss her terribly and so will the animal world that she loved so much. I don't think Betty ever feared passing because she always wanted to be with her most beloved husband Allen Ludden. She believed she would be with him again."

Well, according to White's longtime friend and former costar Vicki Lawrence, Ludden was the only thing on her mind on the day she died peacefully of natural causes.

Lawrence shared on E!'s Daily Pop that mutual friend Carol Burnett shared that with her in a recent text.

"She texted me back, and she said that she spoke to Betty's assistant, who was with her when she died," Lawrence said. And her assistant said the last word out of her mouth was 'Allen.' [Burnett] said, 'How sweet and loving is that?' And I said, 'It's so sweet and so loving, and God, I hope it's true.'"

Lawrence continued: "I know that Betty would not want us to be sad. I know that she would say, 'Oh, sweetie, don't be sad for me! I had a blast! I had a great time. You need to laugh and carry on.' And I honestly believe that's what she would say."

Watch the full Daily Pop segment below.

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