My 10-minute three-way with Betty White

IT DIDN’T last long, but it’s something I’ll never forget. Here’s what happened when news.com.au caught up with the 93-year-old Golden Girls star.

IT’S probably the most exciting email I’ve ever received, apart from the time that Nigerian Prince reached out to me with an offer too good to refuse (the less said about that, the better).

I’d emailed Betty White’s agent a few days earlier asking for an interview with the 93-year-old showbiz legend because I’m a huge fan of The Golden Girls.

Yes, I’m a 30-year-old male who loves The Golden Girls. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking.

To be honest, I was expecting the old “thanks, but no thanks” to which I’ve become so accustomed (well ... more so in my private life than at work).

But to my complete and utter shock, the agent’s reply simply said, “Betty would like to do this interview with you”.

Stunned, I repeated the phrase over and over: “Betty would like to do this interview with you. Betty would like to do this interview with you. Betty would like to do this interview with you.”

I mean, that’s a pretty cool email to receive right?

UNITED STATES - MAY 15: THE GOLDEN GIRLS - 9/24/85 - 9/24/92, BETTY WHITE, ESTELLE GETTY, BEA ARTHUR, RUE MCCLANAHAN, (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)

So after a few days of casually mentioning my upcoming chat with Betty in as many conversations as possible (the coffee guy really didn’t seem that impressed, but then again he barely speaks English), the big day finally arrived.

With sweaty palms, I waited nervously as Betty’s agent Jeff called through and told me to wait as he conferenced in the lady herself.

And then she spoke ... albeit not exactly the words I was hoping to hear.

“Oh dear ... your phone is so muddled,” said Betty.

Oh dear indeed. And just like that, my interview with Rose Nylund became a three-way as I put my questions to Jeff (he had a much better phone connection) who then relayed them to Betty.

I kicked off the Chinese-whispers interview by asking Betty how on earth it was that she had never been to Australia before.

“I wish I could,” she said.

“I’ve been wanting to do that forever. If I stop being so greedy and working so much I could go to places I want to go.”

THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON -- Pictured: (l-r) Actress Betty White, guest host David Letterman on March 26, 1979 -- Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Maybe she’ll have more time now because after six seasons, Betty White’s just wrapped up playing the role of Elka Ostrovsky on Hot in Cleveland.

For the first time in a long time she’s now looking for another job.

“You hear that Jeff?” she said to her agent on the line, “The ball’s in your court”.

Nice one Betty, make him earn that commission.

It didn’t take long for me to bring up The Golden Girls, the hugely successful sitcom which ran for seven years between 1985 and 1992.

With so many classic shows making a TV a comeback lately (Full House, The Odd Couple), I asked Betty if there was an actress who would have her blessing if they were to play Rose should The Golden Girls ever return to the small screen.

“Well I would not like her if she played Rose,” joked Betty.

“But there are so many. Rose is not a difficult character to play. They did a great job of writing her but it wouldn’t be a difficult casting job I would think.”

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 07: Ellen DeGeneres presents actress Betty White with the People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Icon onstage at the 41st Annual People's Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre LA Live on January 7, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/WireImage)

In her long showbiz career, Betty has had the privilege of meeting people such as Queen Elizabeth, President Obama and Lucille Ball (they were actually great mates).

But who is the only person that’s made her weak at the knees?

“Have you ever heard of anyone named Robert Redford?” she said.

“I have worshipped him from afar forever, I think from before he was born.”

In my research for the interview, I’d actually read about Betty’s lifelong crush on Robert Redford, and I’d also heard a rumour that even at 93 years old, she still has a cocktail before bed each night.

“No, not bed, I have a cocktail before dinner,” she said, “But sometimes I don’t have dinner.”

Still as witty as ever.

As our conversation came to an end, I asked for a piece of Betty White wisdom. What can we mere mortals do to remain as happy, healthy and sharp as she is at her age?

“Don’t ever take any of the good stuff for granted,” she said.

“Make than an iron-clad rule. Be grateful for each and every thing and appreciate it.”

And for my 10 minutes on the phone with this legendary golden girl, I can honestly say I’m truly grateful. Thanks Betty.

DATE WITH THE ANGELS - Betty White & Bill Williams Sailing Date - Aired on September 6, 1957. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE

Note: The interview audio above has been edited