Reflecting on 2022: The Loss of Three Queens
Remembering Betty White, Queen Elizabeth II, and Loretta Lynn
In the year 2022, the world lost three of it’s treasures: Betty White in December 2021 (the news truly rocking the world the first day of this year), Queen Elizabeth II in September, and Loretta Lynn in October. These remarkable women have left lasting legacies upon the world, a void that will never be filled nor forgotten. Despite all experiencing various levels of fame and notability, each lived drastically different lives. From a TV icon, a monarch of the United Kingdom and its commonwealth realms, and a country music legend, these 3 women all have earned the title of queen in their own right, whether it be an actual title or a fan-coined one.
Betty White, born in Oak Park, Illinois, on January 23, 1922, was and still is an enduring and beloved figure in pop culture. She was TV’s darling, appearing in some of it’s earliest iterations and continuing to do so regularly into her 90s. Betty was coined the First Lady of Gameshows, as she was a frequent guest and host on many programs of the sort in the 1960s and ‘70s. However, she is most well known for her iconic sitcom roles including newly-wed housewife Elizabeth on Life With Elizabeth, flirtatious Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, lovably innocent Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls, and saucy Elka Ostrovsky on Hot In Cleveland. Betty White was also known for her deep love of animals and kind philanthropy. She left an indelible mark not only on Hollywood but the whole world. She was and will forever be our golden girl.
Queen Elizabeth II, born Elizabeth Mary Alexandra Windsor on April 21, 1926, was never expected to be queen. However, when her uncle King Edward VIII abdicated in 1937 and her father took his place as King George VI, her world was changed forever. Elizabeth assumed the throne at the remarkable age of 25. She reigned for a total of 70 years and 214 days, the 2nd longest of any monarch in history. As with any rule, it faced it’s highs and lows. However, Elizabeth served as a beacon of pride and hope for her nation. She was known for her stiff upper lip, her regal propriety, her fond love of Corgis, and her incomparable sense of humor. She wasn’t just the Queen of the United Kingdom, she was the Queen of the World.
To paraphrase her own words, Loretta Lynn was born a coal miner’s daughter, in a cabin on a hill in Butcher’s Hollow, Kentucky on April 14, 1932. Her impoverished roots, powerful voice, and talented songwriting all helped in propelling her into country music superstardom. Loretta was a powerful force in the country music charts in the late 60s and onward, with iconic hits such as “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl,” “Don’t Come Home A’-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind),” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” and, of course, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” She used her voice and position to sing about social issues of the time, as well as a mode of telling her own story. Her life was even adapted into a film: Coal Miner’s Daughter. From an Appalachian girl to a country music queen, Loretta Lynn is cemented as a fixture in the music world, serving as inspiration for many artists past, present, and future.
Every year sees it’s own losses and tragedies, but this year seemed to strip us of it’s most shining figures. Each of these women have left enduring legacies that undoubtedly will continue to last for generations to come. We hope that by remembering these remarkable individuals, we can somehow honor them and their irrevocable impact they have ingrained into our society.
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