Betty White Is Turning 100: Here’s What She Credits Her Longevity To

As Betty White nears her 100th birthday, the icon is being celebrated for her incredible career. But according to her — and her famous friends — it wasn’t just hard work that brought her so much love and success. It was also her can-do attitude and cheeky nature!

Though the legendary actress has been staying out of the limelight in recent years, she briefly resurfaced to celebrate her milestone birthday next month. White turns 100 on January 17 and told People Magazine she feels “lucky” to still be healthy and thriving. “I’m so lucky to be in such good health and feel so good at this age. It’s amazing,” she said.

As for how she’s stayed healthy, the Golden Girls actress joked she tries “to avoid anything green. I think it’s working.” But the real secret to her ever-positive attitude is a lot sweeter. According to White, she was “born a cockeyed optimist. I got it from my mom, and that never changed. I always find the positive.”

This attitude is what actor Ted Danson says is White’s best quality, and one she’s nurtured throughout her life. “It’s not like she’s just a bubbly, joyful person. She wakes up every day and chooses to be that way,” he said. Danson, who works with White on ocean conservation projects, added that she “leads a very purposeful life,” which helps her stay optimistic.

The People story also included well wishes from some of her most famous friends and costars. One of the funniest messages came from Sandra Bullock, who starred with White in 2009’s The Proposal. Bullock hopes White celebrates her big birthday “the same way she has celebrated every day of her life with humor, kindness, and a vodka on ice, toasting to the fact that she’s a badass who has left us all in the dust.”

Here’s to Betty White celebrating her 100th birthday just like Bullock hopes.