Betty White: Rue's Death 'Hurts More Than I Ever Thought'

Betty White spoke with People.com about Rue McClanahan's death.

"Rue was a close and dear friend. I treasure our relationship," White, 88, said in a statement. "It hurts more than I ever thought it would, if that's even possible."

GOLDEN GIRLS producer and writer Marc Cherry also expressed sadness over McClanahan's death. "When I worked on THE GOLDEN GIRLS, my favorite character to write for was Blanche Devereaux," he said Friday. "In the hands of lesser actresses Blanche's vanity and sexual appetite would have been off-putting. But in Rue's brilliant hands, that character became one of the most beloved in the history of T.V. Rue's kindness, generosity and enormous talent will be sorely missed."