The main characters in The Golden Girls were approximately this old during the show's timeline (1985–1992):
- Blanche Devereaux: About 53 years old at the start, growing to around 60 by the end.
- Dorothy Zbornak: Around 55 years old at the start, reaching about 60 by the end.
- Rose Nylund: Approximately 55 years old at the start, aging to about 62.
- Sophia Petrillo: The oldest, about 79 years old at the beginning, rising to about 86 or so by the end.
The actresses portraying them were older than their characters. For example, Rue McClanahan (Blanche) was 51 at the series start, Betty White (Rose) and Bea Arthur (Dorothy) were both 63, and Estelle Getty (Sophia) was 62, though her character was older than she was. Sophia’s character was notably much older than the rest, in her late 70s to mid-80s range during the series.
