Tess Curtis White was not an actress – far from it! Yet, she has turned the world’s attention towards herself as the mother of Betty White (First Lady of Television). Despite this, Tess found a way to be on TV when she was featured in the game show, Password in 1977.
You may wonder what Tess White’s career was since she was not an actress. Well, the American-born celebrity mother of Greek, Dutch, and Canadian descent worked with the American Women’s Voluntary Services. She reached fame through her only child Betty White.
Her daughter is one of the most decorated Hollywood actors. She became the first woman to receive the Daytime Emmy Award. She was also a recipient of seven Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Grammy Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The actress cum comedian was famed for her roles in The Golden Girls (1985), Time To Kill (1945), Lake Placid (1999), The Proposal (2009), and You Again (2010)
Was Betty White’s Mother an Actress?
Tess was not an actress and didn’t have a career in the entertainment industry like her famous daughter Betty White. Even at that, she loved entertainment and would often attend the rec halls where she would enjoy dancing and gaming.
She appeared in 3 episodes of the celebrity game show, Password (1974).
Also, in 2018, her archive footage was revealed in the documentary about her daughter, Betty White: First Lady of Television.
Tess Curtis White has also been described as a homemaker and also worked with The American Women’s Voluntary Services, AWVS.
Know These Other Interesting Details About the Life of Tess Curtis White
She was born to a Greek Father and a Canadian Mother
Betty White’s mother was born to a Greek father, Nicholas Cachikis who was born in Greece in 1874 and later immigrated to America as a young man. In the US, Tess’ father worked as an ice cream salesman.
On the other hand, Tess’ mother, Margaret “Maggie” Hobbs Curtis was a Canadian, born in 1877 in Wingham, Huron County, Ontario, Canada.
Away from her ancestry, Betty White’s mother was born Christine Tess Cachikis on 25 Jul 1899, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.
She was a middle child among three siblings. She had an elder sister Mary Cachikis Zographos and a younger brother Thomas “Tom” Richard Curtis.
Betty White’s Mother Married at 22
Tess was 22 when she married Horace Logan White in 1921. Horace was a lighting executive who also created crystal radios during the Great Depression.
The couple became parents of Betty White on January 17, 1922, about 11 months after they were married. They didn’t have any other children but were lovers of animals.
This would also influence Betty’s love for animals.
Tess Curtis White Had a Close Relationship with Her Daughter
Tess and her famous daughter White shared a very close relationship. Tess would often attend her daughter’s shows and even featured in Password together.
When she became ill and couldn’t attend Betty’s shows, she would watch The Golden Girls at night with her famous daughter and the two loved playing games together even in Tess’ last days.
Due to the great relationship the mother and daughter shared, it was easy for Tess to influence her The Proposal actress daughter greatly. This influence cuts across food, lifestyle, and even behavior.
According to White, her mother influenced her to live a long, happy, and healthy life. She also influenced her love for peanut butter, bologna, and iceberg lettuce sandwich on white bread for lunch, and how to stand up for herself.
See Also: Johnny Depp Parents: Shocking Facts About John Christopher Depp And Betty Sue Palmer
She Had a Close Relationship with Lucille Ball
Tess shared a very close relationship with DeDe Ball, mother of actress Lucille Ball. Through this relationship, Tess also developed a close bond with the Yours, Mine and Ours actress Lucille.
She also stood as Lucille’s mother following the demise of her friend DeDe in 1977.
She Died in 1985, 36 Years Before Betty White
The older White died on November 11, 1985, in Los Angeles, at 86. She died about two months before her only daughter Betty turned 63.
Her death was preceded by her husband, Horace White who died in 1963 at 64.
Tess White was succeeded by Betty who lived 99 years and died in 2021, 36 years following the death of her mother.
