The main occupation of Sophia Petrillo, played by Estelle Getty in The Golden Girls, is retired. Sophia is introduced as an elderly widow living with her daughter Dorothy Zbornak and roommates Blanche Devereaux and Rose Nylund in Miami.
Her retirement reflects the character's age and backstory. Before moving to Florida, Sophia lived in Brooklyn with her husband Sal and raised Dorothy. She later resides at the Shady Pines retirement home before moving in with Dorothy after a fire destroys the facility.
“Retired” describes Sophia's primary status, although she occasionally takes short-term jobs or pursues activities during the sitcom. Those episodes can make the answer seem less straightforward, but waitress, secretary, and housekeeper are not her defining occupation. Another common mix-up is confusing Getty with Sophia: Getty was a professional actress, while Sophia was the retired fictional character.