Fabulous 40: The Enduring Brilliance Of The Golden Girls
October 2, 2025 | Revised: November 12, 2025
Four friends, endless laughs. The sitcom’s golden milestone.
Cherished for its sharp wit and heartfelt camaraderie, The Golden Girls marks its 40th anniversary this year, with multiple events and a special streaming November 12 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. The groundbreaking series introduced viewers to four outspoken women navigating life’s later chapters together, proving that friendship and humor never age. As anniversary celebrations spark fresh conversation, a new generation is discovering why the show’s kitchen-table wisdom remains timeless. Now is the perfect moment to revisit every cheesecake-filled episode, with all seven seasons streaming with Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers*, and see what continues to make this comedy shine.
The Golden Girls, Hulu
Across seven seasons, widow Blanche Devereaux, divorcée Dorothy Zbornak, kindhearted widow Rose Nylund, and Dorothy’s forthright mother Sophia Petrillo share a Miami home and plenty of late-night desserts. Their quick banter and honest conversations tackle romance, family visits, and topical issues with equal parts warmth and humor. The ensemble chemistry of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty anchors each storyline and keeps the jokes crisp decades later. The series earned 11 Emmy® Awards, including at least one win for every lead actress, a rare achievement in television history. (Hulu)*
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The Golden Girls 40th Anniversary
Festivities began in June with “The Golden Girls 40th Anniversary Script Reading & Conversation” at the ATX TV Festival, the Disney+ Throwback Experience from June 12 to 15, and activities in honor of The Golden Girls during Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite on June 16 and 18, where guests had the chance to recreate iconic scenes while enjoying custom cheesecake and a commemorative chocolate coin.
On July 30, Golden Girls Day featured nationwide activations with curated experiences, themed treats, and limited-edition merchandise.
You can also watch a one-hour ABC News special - The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship - which reunites creator Susan Harris, producer Tony Thomas, and original writers to honor the anniversary. Paying tribute to the legendary actresses who brought Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia to life, as well as to 40 years of friendship, laughter, and cheesecake, the special explores how The Golden Girls utilized uninhibited comedy to rewrite the narrative for women over 50 and cement its enduring influence on pop culture. A perfect watch to mark 40 years of The Golden Girls!
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What’s the plot of The Golden Girls?
Four single, older women share a Miami home and navigate daily life together. Through candid conversations, they explore dating, family dynamics, and social topics while supporting one another with humor and honesty.
Who’s in The Golden Girls’ cast?
The main cast features Bea Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak, Betty White as Rose Nylund, Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux, and Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo.
Who are the main characters in The Golden Girls?
Dorothy is a divorced schoolteacher known for her sardonic wit. Rose is sweet-natured and sometimes spacey. Blanche embraces her Southern charm and active dating life. Sophia, Dorothy’s mother, delivers unfiltered observations and family tales that often kick-start kitchen-table discussions.
When did The Golden Girls premiere?
The series debuted on September 14, 1985, and ran for 180 episodes over 7 seasons.
Whether you’re revisiting favorite episodes or meeting the Miami roommates for the first time, The Golden Girls offers sharp dialogue and relatable themes that still resonate. Add the classic sitcom to your Watchlist now and join the celebration of four decades of golden laughs. And make sure to check out our curated Watch Guides for even more classics or throwback sitcoms on Disney+!
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