The Golden Girls' Lasting Impact: From Miami to Manhattan and Beyond

In August 2025, as the 40th anniversary of The Golden Girls approaches, the show's lasting impact on television is being celebrated. The groundbreaking sitcom, which aired on NBC from 1985 to 1992, was the first to revolve around four older women and portray them as active, fun, and sexual beings.

The show's creator, Susan Harris, believes The Golden Girls' legacy goes beyond the numerous female-led series that have followed in its footsteps. "The Golden Girls really spoke to what happens with older women. The other shows were just about young women. I just don't think there is a comparison," she tells PEOPLE.

Indeed, the list of shows centered on four female friends that debuted after The Golden Girls is extensive, including Designing Women, Living Single, Desperate Housewives, and, most notably, Sex and the City, which premiered on HBO in 1998. However, Harris' colleague, Tony Thomas, who executive-produced The Golden Girls, argues that the comparisons are unfair. "Our show is about four women in a much smaller city, Miami, living a brand new life and realizing life goes on. The last thing that Carrie and company were worried about is life going on. They were trying to figure out life in the moment. It's just a whole different series."

As The Golden Girls celebrates its 40th anniversary, the show's enduring popularity and influence on television are undeniable. Its unique portrayal of older women and the power of female friendship continue to resonate with audiences, paving the way for a new generation of groundbreaking television.