AuctionsMar 03, 2022
Michael Caine’s Rolex Sells for $133K at AuctionAuctionsApr 12, 2022
Betty White’s Wedding Ring Can Be Yours
Julien’s Auctions is holding a sale of the late legend’s personal possessions this fall, including a few pieces of fine jewelry.
Betty White’s gold and diamond wedding ring from her marriage to Allen Ludden is among the more than 1,500 lots featured in the upcoming auction “Property From the Life and Career of Betty White.” The ring is estimated to sell for $600 to $800. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
Los Angeles—Betty White’s wedding ring and a necklace she wore on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” are among the lots in a massive auction of the late legend’s personal possessions set to take place this fall.
On Sept. 23-25, Julien’s Auctions will host “Property from the Life and Career of Betty White” in Beverly Hills, California, a sale of more than 1,500 lots from White, who died at 99 on Dec. 31, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois on Jan. 17, 1922, White broke into TV in the medium’s early days, co-hosting “Hollywood on Television With Al Jarvis” beginning in 1949.
It was the start of a career that would span a record-setting eight decades, with White starring in two critically acclaimed sitcoms—“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Golden Girls”—and winning five Primetime Emmy Awards, two Daytime Emmys, two Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, and a SAG Lifetime Achievement Award.
Julien’s sale from White’s estate includes numerous lots of TV memorabilia—autographed scripts, dresses she wore to various awards shows, her director’s chair from “The Golden Girls” set, etc.—and a few pieces of jewelry that were undoubtedly dear to White.
There is the gold and diamond wedding band she wore throughout her marriage to her beloved third husband Allen Ludden, whom she met as a celebrity guest on the game show he hosted, “Password.”
The ring, pictured above, is estimated to sell for $600-$800.
Also up for sale is Ludden’s matching wedding band, which is gold and engraved with their wedding date, “6-14-63,” and the words “I really do.” Ludden’s band is also estimated at $600 to $800.
One of the highest valued lots in the auction is a vintage gold Van Cleef & Arpels flower brooch set with brilliant-cut diamonds and sapphires.
Believed to be a gift from Ludden, who died in 1981, White was photographed wearing the pin on numerous occasions beginning in 2010, Julien’s said. It is estimated to sell for $14,000-$16,000.
Stay Golden: See Some of the Items Up for Auction
On Sept. 23-25, Julien’s Auctions will host “Property from the Life and Career of Betty White” in Beverly Hills, California, a sale of more than 1,500 lots from White, who died at 99 on Dec. 31, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois on Jan. 17, 1922, White broke into TV in the medium’s early days, co-hosting “Hollywood on Television With Al Jarvis” beginning in 1949.
It was the start of a career that would span a record-setting eight decades, with White starring in two critically acclaimed sitcoms—“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Golden Girls”—and winning five Primetime Emmy Awards, two Daytime Emmys, two Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, and a SAG Lifetime Achievement Award.
Julien’s sale from White’s estate includes numerous lots of TV memorabilia—autographed scripts, dresses she wore to various awards shows, her director’s chair from “The Golden Girls” set, etc.—and a few pieces of jewelry that were undoubtedly dear to White.
There is the gold and diamond wedding band she wore throughout her marriage to her beloved third husband Allen Ludden, whom she met as a celebrity guest on the game show he hosted, “Password.”
The ring, pictured above, is estimated to sell for $600-$800.
Also up for sale is Ludden’s matching wedding band, which is gold and engraved with their wedding date, “6-14-63,” and the words “I really do.” Ludden’s band is also estimated at $600 to $800.
One of the highest valued lots in the auction is a vintage gold Van Cleef & Arpels flower brooch set with brilliant-cut diamonds and sapphires.
Believed to be a gift from Ludden, who died in 1981, White was photographed wearing the pin on numerous occasions beginning in 2010, Julien’s said. It is estimated to sell for $14,000-$16,000.
Stay Golden: See Some of the Items Up for Auction
Allen Ludden’s wedding band, estimated to sell for $600-$800, is engraved with the date he married Betty White at the Las Vegas Convention Center, June 14, 1963. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
White’s sapphire and diamond Van Cleef & Arpels brooch, believed to be a gift from Ludden, could sell for as much as $16,000. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
White wore this necklace (sale estimate, $1,000 to $2,000) to the Primetime Emmys in 1976, where she won an Emmy for her role as Sue Ann Nivens on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” She also wore it on multiple episodes of the show, including the season 5 classic “A Girl Like Mary.” (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
White was photographed wearing this delicate 14-karat gold watch early in her career. It is engraved with “T.C.W.,” the initials of her mother, Tess Curtis White. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
The auction also includes memorabilia from White’s long and storied career in entertainment. Pictured here is an original taping ticket from “The Betty White Show” (NBC, 1954) that’s estimated to sell for $500 to $1,000. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
The auction estimate for this silver Tiffany & Co. clock given to White when she was named KNX Newsradio “Woman of the Year” in 1984 is $1,000 to $2,000. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
In addition to Sue Ann Nivens, White won an Emmy for playing Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls.” Included in the auction are a number of gifts the show’s stars four stars—White, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty—had made for the crew, like this engraved pictured frame ($500 to $700). (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
A script for part two of “The Golden Girls” series finale signed by the show’s four stars is estimated to fetch $3,000 to $5,000. Included in the lot is a copy of the part one script signed by guest star Leslie Nielsen. (Photo credit: Julien’s Auctions)
Also estimated to sell for $1,000-$2,000 is an Adams watch White was photographed wearing in the early days of her career.
The 14-karat gold timepiece is engraved with “T.C.W. 12-25-40,” the initials of her mother, Tess Curtis White.
Related stories will be right here …
The 14-karat gold timepiece is engraved with “T.C.W. 12-25-40,” the initials of her mother, Tess Curtis White.
“Property from the Life and Career of Betty White” will take place in person Sept. 23-25 at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills and online at JuliensAuctions.com.
Special exhibitions of selected items from the auctions are scheduled for May 12 to July 4 at Museo de la Moda in Santiago, Chile; Aug. 1 to Sept. 11 at The Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware in Kildare, Ireland; and at Julien’s in Beverly Hills from Sept. 19 to 22.
The Sept. 20 exhibition at Julien’s will include a screening of the PBS documentary “Betty White: First Lady of Television.”
In addition, Julien’s is partnering with cruise line Cunard to take White’s possessions on a transatlantic trek.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will set sail from New York on Aug. 5 and arrive in Southampton in the U.K. on Aug. 12.
During the cruise, guests will get to view a daily rotating exhibition of White’s items and attend a Q&A with Julien’s executives Darren Julien and Martin Nolan.
More information on the auction is available on the Julien’s website.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
