Sophia Petrillo, (née Grisanti, also legally known as Sophia Weinstock),was a fictional character from the TV series The Golden Gurls and its spin-off The Golden Palace. She was portrayed by Estelle Getty.
Sophia was born on April 17, 1906 in Sicily. Later, she moved to New York when she was 14. She has no accent left to show that she grew up speaking the Sicilian language. Instead, she sports a thick Brooklyn accent with a fast speaking pace, which often contributed to the humor in her one-liners. Then she marries and has three children.
In her older years, Sophia suffered a stroke (the effects of which are said to be a partial explanation for Sophia's uncensored and brazen remarks) and was subsequently placed in Shady Pines retirement home by Dorothy, her eldest child who is a divorced substitute teacher. After Shady Pines was damaged in a fire, Sophia moved in with Dorothy. Sophia did not have many good things to say about "the home", alluding to poor treatment by the staff many times. Dorothy often threatened to send her back there when Sophia's behavior became out of control.
While living in Miami, Sophia had many suitors, but did not date any for a substantial amount of time. Due to Sophia's Sicilian descent, there were regular hints in the series that she and her family have some mafia connections; she has made reference to several vendettas. It is even hinted that Sophia herself has done mob work; she once stated that no one in her family had "ever left a body to be found.”
Sophia is best known for her wisecracks, put-downs and brazen remarks, often commenting on Dorothy’s lack of love life, Blanche’s promiscuity, and Rose’s stupidity. However, despite her sharp criticism of her daughter and roommates, she loves and cares for them deeply; she even sees Rose and Blanche as surrogate daughters.
After the The Golden Girls finished, she was featured in the spin off The Golden Palace. When Rose, Blanche and Sophia invest in a hotel, Sophia is installed as one of the two chefs, specializing in Italian cuisine while the hotel's previous chef, Chuy Castillos, handles Mexican food.
While this location is not The Golden Palace, it sure beats Shady Pines!
https://youtu.be/jvo6blFyPrw