Carol Burnett, the famous comedy legend, turned 91 in April!
After many years of making us laugh, Burnett still shines bright. NBC honored her amazing career last year with a special tribute called *Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter and Love.*
Many of Hollywood’s biggest stars attended the event to honor Burnett, sharing their admiration on the red carpet.
**Birthday Tributes to Burnett**
One of the attendees was Julie Andrews, the legendary star of *The Sound of Music* and a close friend of Burnett. She joked, “She brings out the best in me, and I think I bring out the worst in her. I don’t know why!”
Andrews remembered meeting Burnett at a Chinese restaurant long ago: “When we met, no one else could get a word in. We bonded like that, and it has never changed,” Burnett said about their lasting friendship.
Music icon Cher also shared stories about her friendship with Carol Burnett.
“I would sneak out through the fence to go to the farmer’s market, and we played practical jokes on each other,” Cher said. “It was just easy and fun, and that’s all we wanted to do.”
Actress Jane Lynch remembered meeting Burnett for the first time: “I was firmly in love; she’s exactly the person you hope she would be,” she told the Hollywood Reporter.
The guest list for the tribute show, which was taped in March, included many big names from both the past and present. Stars like Lily Tomlin, Steve Carell, Laura Dern, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Oprah, Michelle Obama, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Allison Janney, Jimmy Fallon, and Ellen DeGeneres all participated in celebrating Burnett’s remarkable career.
According to Playbill, some of Broadway’s biggest stars, like Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, Sutton Foster, and Kristin Chenoweth, will perform musical numbers in honor of Burnett. She herself is a Broadway veteran, having received Tony nominations for *Once Upon a Mattress* and *Moon Over Buffalo*.
“I’m so excited NBC decided to throw me a birthday party and invited all of my closest friends,” Burnett said in a statement. “I can’t wait to look back at so many wonderful moments throughout my career. I feel so lucky to share this night with everyone.”
Carol Burnett is best known for her groundbreaking variety/sketch series, *The Carol Burnett Show*, which aired for 11 seasons on CBS. It was the first show of its kind hosted by a woman, and Burnett is widely seen as a trailblazer for female comedians.
She has recently received many lifetime achievement awards, including the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
In 2019, the Golden Globes named their television lifetime achievement award after her, calling it the “Carol Burnett Award,” and she was the first person to receive it.
Last year, she returned to TV with an important guest role in the final season of *Better Call Saul*.
In an interview before her 90th birthday, Burnett shared that she doesn’t feel her age, calling herself a “late bloomer” compared to other performers.
“I can’t wrap my head around it,” Burnett told *People Magazine*. “I still feel like I’m about 11, but I’m amazed. It sure went fast. But I’m glad because I’ve got all my parts — my hips, my knees, and my brain, so I’m happy about that.”
As Carol Burnett celebrated her 91st birthday on April 26, the television legend was still making waves. She recently celebrated her role in the new miniseries *Palm Royale*, appeared on the cover of *Harper’s Bazaar* in March, and almost saw her playful birthday wish involving *Maestro* star Bradley Cooper come true during her appearance on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* just days earlier.
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I Unintentionally Heard My Husband Speaking About Me to a Store Clerk in a Changing Room
Viola’s world came crashing down when she inadvertently overheard a conversation that revealed more about her husband, Ross, than she could have imagined. Her discovery led to a powerful, public declaration at their 15th anniversary celebration, where she exposed his betrayal and declared their marriage over, shocking their friends and family.
Ross and Viola’s marriage was perceived by many as ideal. They had weathered various storms together and built a life that seemed enviable on the outside. In light of their upcoming 15th anniversary, Viola proposed, “Ross, let’s throw a big party for our 15th wedding anniversary!” Ross responded affirmatively with a warm smile, showing no signs of the discord that lay beneath.
Having recently welcomed their third child, their lives were full and seemingly content. In preparation for the celebration, Viola decided to shop for a new dress to mark the occasion, telling her children, “Mommy needs a pretty dress for the party,” as she left for her favorite boutique.
At the boutique, amidst a selection of outfits, Viola’s excitement turned to shock as she recognized Ross’s voice in a nearby dressing room. His words pierced through the curtain, “My wife is…a shrinking violet, you know. She’d never wear a dress like this! Plus, she’d need two or three times a bigger size because of her fat belly, but you…you look perfect in it, baby!” The realization that Ross was not only mocking her appearance but also engaging flirtatiously with another woman left Viola stunned and heartbroken.
Reeling from the discovery, Viola managed to compose herself enough to leave the boutique without confronting Ross immediately, knowing she needed more evidence. At home, Ross’s demeanor was unchanged, playful and caring with their children, making it even harder for Viola to reconcile the man she heard with the man she saw.
“How was shopping?” Ross asked innocently upon her return. “It was fine,” Viola responded, masking her turmoil. “Didn’t find anything I liked, though.” Ross reassured her casually, oblivious to the storm brewing within her.
That evening, after ensuring their children were asleep, Viola’s need for answers led her to snoop through Ross’s phone. Her suspicions were confirmed when she found flirty messages with someone named Jenna. The discovery compelled Viola to hire a private investigator, desperate to uncover the full extent of Ross’s infidelity.
As she waited for the results, Ross noticed her distant demeanor, asking if she was okay. Viola lied, attributing her mood to exhaustion from caring for their baby. Ross offered his support, unaware of the investigation unfolding.
The investigator eventually provided Viola with conclusive evidence of Ross’s affair, including pictures and texts shared over months. Armed with this information, Viola decided to confront Ross publicly at their anniversary party.
On the day of the party, Viola stayed out of sight until Ross introduced her to their guests. As she approached, Ross complimented her, unaware of the storm about to break. “Honey, you look amazing. What did you do? I thought you were a—” he started to say, but Viola cut him off sharply, “A shrinking violet?” The room fell silent as Ross realized that his deception was uncovered.
Viola took this moment to address their friends and family gathered, revealing the painful truth. “I overheard Ross telling a saleswoman that I am a shrinking violet and overweight. It broke my heart, but it also made me realize I deserve better. So, I’ve decided to end our marriage. I deserve someone who loves and respects me for who I am,” she declared, her voice filled with resolve.
The guests reacted with a mixture of shock and support, some applauding Viola’s courage. Ross, unable to respond, stood frozen as Viola continued, “Unfortunately, I can’t meet my husband’s requirements for a wife. He said I need two or three times a bigger size because of my fat belly. Well, Ross, I’m done trying to fit your mold.”
With those final words, Viola thanked everyone and left the party, feeling a mixture of relief and empowerment. She walked out into the cool evening, her head held high, ready to begin a new chapter in her life free from deception and disrespect.
Viola’s bravery in confronting her husband publicly marked a turning point in her life. As she drove away, her phone lit up with messages of support from friends, reinforcing her decision to stand up for herself and seek happiness elsewhere. “Thank you. I needed to do this for me. It’s time for a fresh start,” she texted back, looking forward to a future filled with self-respect and freedom.
This episode in Viola’s life was a profound declaration of her worth and a refusal to be diminished by anyone, especially her spouse. It highlighted the resilience and strength that come from facing painful truths and making tough decisions, serving as a testament to the empowerment that follows taking
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