Can you guess which star will appear on her own stamp? Read on to find out—and learn about all of the notable stamps coming in 2025.
This Golden Girls Star Is Getting Her Own U.S. Postage Stamp
Published on Nov. 18, 2024
Whether you watched it live decades ago or recently caught up when the show hit streaming services, you’ll no doubt agree with us: The Golden Girls was absolutely iconic. The classic TV show charmed audiences for seven seasons on NBC, running from September 1985 to May 1992. Following the hilarious and heartwarming lives of four vibrant women, The Golden Girls turned a group of Miami housemates into TV legends. It scooped up countless accolades, including 22 Golden Globe nominations and four wins, three for Best Television Series.
Given the show’s beloved status, it’s no surprise that the U.S. Postal Service recently announced that one of these iconic characters will be featured on a stamp in 2025. Will it be no-nonsense Dorothy, naive Rose, flirtatious Blanche or ever-sassy Sophia?
If you’re eager to find out who will be honored—and learn about other new stamp releases—keep reading. And from all of us at Reader’s Digest, thank you for being a friend!
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How does the U.S. Postal Service decide who gets honorary stamps?
The U.S. Postal Service has a special process for choosing who gets featured on its iconic stamps, and it all starts with the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC). This committee is made up of experts in fields like history, art and culture who carefully review proposals from the public. Their goal? To select figures and topics that have made a significant impact on American life and are of broad national interest.
According to Lisa Bobb-Semple, the stamp services director for the Postal Service, the U.S. stamp program “demonstrates our commitment to providing a diverse range of subjects and designs for both philatelists and stamp enthusiasts.”
Typically, the committee focuses on celebrating individuals who have passed away and left a lasting legacy in areas like history, the arts or social change. They generally don’t consider living people for this honor, making the selection even more prestigious. The proposals are often submitted years in advance, ensuring that each honoree has made a timeless contribution to American culture or history.
Which Golden Girl is getting a stamp?
Get ready to celebrate an American television legend! Best known for her unforgettable role as the sweet and hilariously naive Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls, Betty White is set to be honored with her very own postage stamp in 2025. With a career spanning nearly seven decades, she’s one of the most beloved figures in TV history.
White’s versatility shone in a variety of roles, from the sharp-tongued Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show to the charming star of her own early sitcom, Life with Elizabeth, in 1952. Her incredible contributions to television earned her a place in the Television Hall of Fame, and she was widely recognized for her passionate advocacy of animal welfare.
Even in her later years, White continued to capture hearts and break records. At 88, she became the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live in 2010. That year, she starred as Elka Ostrovsky in the hit sitcom Hot in Cleveland, earning three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations and winning two.
The upcoming Betty White stamp, designed by Postal Service art director Greg Breeding, features a digital illustration by Dale Stephanos based on a 2010 photograph by Kwaku Alston.
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When will the stamps be available?
While the exact release date for the Betty White stamp has yet to be revealed, we know it’s coming in 2025. But you can use it well into the future because U.S. postage stamps, including those selected by the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, never expire. That’s right: Once a stamp is issued, it’s valid forever! Whether you have a vintage stamp from decades ago or a brand-new design, you can stick it onto a letter and slip it in the mail.
What other notable stamps are being released in 2025?
These are some of the exciting new stamps being released in 2025:
- Year of the Snake: This will be the sixth stamp in the Lunar New Year series. It will feature a design based on a stunning 3D snake mask made from hand-printed paper and decorated with intricate details using acrylic paint and papier-mĂ¢chĂ©.
- 1794 Compass Rose: This will be the new stamp for international mail. It features a vibrant compass rose, hand-drawn by Lucia Wadsworth (aunt of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) when she was just 10 years old.
- Allen Toussaint: The Black Heritage series continues its tradition of alternating between male and female honorees. Next year, they’re celebrating the legendary songwriter, piano virtuoso and producer Allen Toussaint, known for shaping the sound of New Orleans.
- The Appalachian Trail: Love nature? You’ll love this new pane of stamps, which features a photographic journey along the Maine-to-Georgia trail, showcasing stunning views from all 14 states.
- Baby Wild Animals: Wild baby animals take center stage in this fun collection of 10 stamps featuring creatures like foxes, deer and bears.
- Winter Landscapes: This series of five stamps, designed by Ethel Kessler with stunning images from various photographers, will showcase iconic winter landscapes from across the country.
- Dahlias: Dahlia lovers, rejoice! A stunning new stamp collection features 10 close-up photos of vibrant dahlia blossoms. They will be available in booklets of 20 stamps and coils of 3,000 and 10,000 stamps.
- Luna Moth: Send a little beauty with a new stamp honoring the delicate and dazzling luna moth, one of the most beautiful moths in the United States. It’s perfect for irregularly sized envelopes and adds a touch of nature’s elegance.
- Vibrant Leaves: For postcard lovers, there will be five new postcard-rate stamps featuring beautiful leaf photography from trees found across the United States.
- American Vistas: These two minimalist stamps, designed by Greg Breeding and DKNG Studios, feature screen prints of mountains and beaches. They’re clean, modern and perfect for your next business envelope.
What other celebrities have appeared on stamps over the years?
Throughout the years, many iconic stars have been honored with their very own U.S. postage stamps, a true mark of their lasting impact. Some of the legends who’ve received this tribute include the beloved Fred Rogers (2018), the timeless comedian Bob Hope (2009), the hilarious Lucille Ball (2001) and master of suspense Rod Serling (2009). Â
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