The Golden Girls first aired on television in 1985. Its premiere episode was broadcast by NBC in the United States on September 14, 1985.
Created by television writer Susan Harris, the sitcom followed four older women sharing a home in Miami: Dorothy Zbornak, played by Bea Arthur; Rose Nylund, played by Betty White; Blanche Devereaux, played by Rue McClanahan; and Sophia Petrillo, played by Estelle Getty.
The series became notable for centering older women as its main characters while combining comedy with stories about friendship, dating, family, aging, and social issues. Its first season was an immediate ratings success, and the show ultimately ran for seven seasons and 180 episodes.
The Golden Girls ended its original run in 1992, but its characters and catchphrases continued to influence sitcoms and popular culture. A spin-off, The Golden Palace, followed in 1992, though Bea Arthur did not return as a regular cast member.