Happy birthday, Betty White: Television legend is no stranger to Atlanta

What You Need to Know: Betty White

Betty White turns 98 today, and social media has exploded with fans wishing her well.

» PHOTOS: Betty White through the years

The acting legend is no stranger to Atlanta, having filmed here and done research for a book.

In 2010, she took a break from shooting the Hallmark/CBS film “The Lost Valentine” to talk to the AJC’s Rodney Ho, even offering him a Snickers bar upon introduction.

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"By all accounts, White has been gracious and cordial during her time in Atlanta," Ho wrote. "A dog lover, she has posed for pictures with neighbors and their pooches. Last month, she ate steak at Rathbun's. Last week, she popped into the Fox Theatre to see 'Dreamgirls.' "

White returned in 2011 to research for her book "Betty & Friends." White visited the Georgia Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta, where she got a private tour.

» RELATED: Betty White talks to the animals at Georgia Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta

"She fed biscuits to daddy panda Yang Yang and watched the gorillas and elephants show off," AJC's music blogger Melissa Ruggieri wrote.

“(The gorillas) are so amazing. Each one is so different and you have 23 of them here! That’s so wonderful,” White said at the time.

After the zoo, Ruggieri wrote, White, “was whisked to Georgia Aquarium, where she would be reunited with her old pals Beethoven and tank-mate Qinu, the beluga whales, and Gracie the sea otter.”

Betty White gets a kiss from Beethoven, the beluga whale, at Georgia Aquarium. She's joined by trainers Dennis Christen and Trish Dove.

Credit: Georgia Aquarium / Melissa Prosser

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Credit: Georgia Aquarium / Melissa Prosser

» PHOTOS: Betty White celebrates 400+ pet adoptions

White got an early birthday present from Netflix.

Here is asampling of what fans have tweeted in honor of White’s 97th birthday: