Betty White's spouse Allen Ludden hailed 'the best' husband by the late Hollywood legend

Betty White's final word before she died was her late husband's name, according to an inside source.

The legendary American actress and comedian reportedly called out for her deceased spouse, Allen Ludden, shortly before she passed away on Friday evening (31 December). Betty, who died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 99 on New Year's Eve, was married to the game show host from 1963 until his untimely death after a stomach cancer diagnosis in 1981.

When asked in 2011 if she'd ever tie the knot again, the Hollywood icon said, "Once you've had the best, who needs the rest?" Betty had previously been married twice before, divorcing her first husband, Dick Barker, less than a year after they'd wed in 1945. She married her second husband, talent agent, Lane Allen, in 1947, only to split in 1949 due to disagreements over having children.

According to Vicki Lawrence, Betty's former costar on The Carol Burnett Show and longtime friend, the final word to cross the Emmy-award-winner's lips was her third husband's name.

“[Burnett] said she spoke to Betty’s assistant, who was with her when she passed, and she said the last word out of her mouth was ‘Allen’,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.

"That’s so lovingly sweet. I hope that is true."

Vicki went on to share more sweet memories of the couple, who met when Betty appeared as a celebrity guest on Allen's gameshow, Password, in 1961.

"They were adorable together. She drove the car he gave her for as long as I can remember. She wore the same ring he gave her as long as I’ve known her. That was her love story."

Tributes to Betty's incredible legacy have been pouring in ever since the news of her death was announced, with celebrities like Michelle Obama, Sandra Bullock, and Ryan Reynolds all taking to social media to share their reaction.