Betty White and her favourite bear, Bam Bam have been "reunited", after the death of the huge creature, who the late Betty met in 2018, and loved so much, she had a cardboard cutout of him made
Image: Instagram)
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Betty White's beloved bear, Bam Bam, has died just months after the Golden Girls actress passed away.
The Hot in Cleveland star, who died in December at the age of 99, adored Bam Bam so much she even had a cardboard cutout made of him and placed in her office, after the pair met in 2018, at Los Angeles Zoo.
Bam Bam's death was announced on Betty's official Instagram page, which is now run by her personal assistant Kierstan Mikelas, alongside a clutch of sweet photos of the legendary actress and the bear.
The post said: "Returning from hiatus with a bittersweet post. This boy has been reunited with this lady, who loved him so dearly," followed rainbow emojis.
Bam Bam and Betty appeared to have sweet bond
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( Instagram)
They met in 2018 while Betty was filming a documentary
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( Instagram)
The post went on: "Bam Bam was just a spectacular creature. He will be dearly missed by all those who loved him," followed by two heart emojis.
The first three photos on the post show the animal campaigner leaning lovingly against the huge creature. In the last picture Bam Bam is between Betty and her friend, the late Georgia Engel, who died in April 2019.
Betty and Bam Bam met while she was filming documentary, The First Lady of Television.
In the film, The Proposal star sits next to the brown bear, gives him a kiss and feeds him marshmallows.
Betty and friend Georgia Engel with Bam Bam
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( Instagram)
Betty had a cardboard cutout of Bam Bam in her office
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( Instagram)
Bam Bam's cardboard cutout in her office joined the one of her crush and Hollywood legend Robert Redford.
After what would have been Betty's 100th birthday, her assistant posted a photo of the two cutouts wearing party hats.
"Two of Betty's absolute favorites - Bam Bam and Bob," the caption said.
"They were in our office and she greeted each upon arrival - 'hi fellas,' and blew them kisses when she'd leave - 'see ya next time.' "
Betty's love for animals is well documented. In her documentary she said she would rather be remembered for that than her performances.
Betty White was an animal champion, and is pictured backstage at the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards in Beverly Hills, California, in 2011
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( Getty)
Betty White with St. Bernard Stormy at home by the fire in 1954
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( Getty)
“That’s my life. The reason I work, the reason I do anything is for my love for animals," she said in the film.
She was president emerita of the Morris Animal Foundation and a member of the board of directors of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association.
The Mary Tyler Moore actress also worked with many charities, including African Wildlife Foundation and the Los Angeles Zoo Commission.
Following Betty's death, in order to remember the actress in a fitting way, fans created the Betty White Challenge, donating to organisations which helped animals on what would have been her 100th birthday.
Betty White, pictured in 1954, advocated for animals throughout her life
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( Getty)
According to DailyHive, the Betty White Challenge was able to raise as much as $405,439 (around £297,444) for rescue centres in need.
In March, Jamie Lee Curtis stepped on to the Oscars stage with an adorable puppy, to honour Betty's legacy as an animal campaigner and advocate.
During the In Memoriam segment at the 94th Academy Awards, which paid tribute to Betty, the Freaky Friday urged people to adopt rescue dogs like the one in her arms, named Mac-N-Cheese.
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