Patty Sullivan

Patty Sullivan was born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Tucson where she attended the University of Arizona. During a summer spent on Cape Cod, she met her husband, Tom Sullivan, who was attending Harvard at the time but pursuing a career in the music business. At the same time, they met Allen Ludden and Betty White who became mentors and beloved lifetime friends, inspiring their own loving marriage of fifty-three years. Tom and Patty have two grown children, Blythe and Tom, Jr. 

While raising their family, Patty traveled with Tom for his music concerts and television appearances as well as thousands of motivational speaking engagements across the country. Along the way she served her community in many capacities. Most important to her is the organization she founded to support the Blind Children’s Center of Los Angeles, raising more than 10 million dollars to date. Equally important is her long-time commitment to Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital. As a Trustee Emeritus she continues to serve on their Ministry Board and Mission Community Health Committee. 

She has had a wonderfully full life and along the way, was blessed with an incredible relationship with the remarkable Betty White, her mentor and surrogate mother, prompting her to write this loving tribute, Betty White’s Pearls of Wisdom: Life Lessons from a Beloved American Treasure.