Her mother remarried, to family friend and neighbor Arthur Meigs Godwin, and Bloomer lived with them. It was something the couple neither expected or wanted, Betty Ford recalled in her memoirs. [3] Ford received support from her family and managed to resume a busy lifestyle.

During the period after the election, Ford postponed scheduled plans to give her slated successor, Rosalyn Carter, a tour of the White House. "I just think it's important to say how easy it is to slip into a dependency on pills or alcohol, and how hard it is to admit that dependency.". ", Tobin, Leesa E. "Betty Ford as first lady: A woman for women.". [7][36] While President Ford never attempted to silence his wife, some of his senior staff resented her independent candor. [42], Ford ranked as one of the top-10 most admired women in the results of Gallup's annual most admired man and woman poll every year from 1974 (the year her husband first became president) through 1991,[43][44][45] with the exception of Gallup having failed to conduct such a poll in 1976 (the final full year of her husband's presidency). [3] The campaign made a deliberate effort, ahead of the 1976 Republican National Convention, of sending Ford to liberal and moderate-leaning states and not more conservative states in the western and southern United States. As was the case during Gerald Ford's vice presidential swearing-in, Betty Ford held the Bible upon which he placed his hand while taking his oath of office. [65][66], Of the state dinners she planned, Ford said, "From the beginning, Jerry and I tried to make the White House a place where people could have fun and enjoy themselves. [59], According to Tasha N. Dubriwny, the massive media coverage of Ford's mastectomy was constrained by stereotypical gender roles, particularly the need for breast cancer patients to maintain their femininity. [3][5][12] They married on October 15, 1948, at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids. [5] At the time they married, Warren worked for his own father in insurance sales. Rumour suggests Candy was having an affair with Betty's husband, Allan Gore. I just want to sit here all alone and finish this cigarette.. Because of her grief, there will be more joy.

[3], Between Labor Day and election day, for the general election campaign, Ford conducted multi-stop speaking tours, during which she visited western states (including California, Colorado, Texas, and Utah) as well was northern midwest states including Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. She explained that, while her husband had attended two sessions with a psychiatric doctor, those sessions were for her care, and not care of his own.

In the first of adjustments for politics, he had asked her to delay the wedding until shortly before the primary election because, as The New York Times reported, "Jerry was running for Congress and wasn't sure how voters might feel about his marrying a divorced ex-dancer. [46] In 1977, the year her husband left office, she placed fourth. We were proud to call her a friend.". [5] At the age of 14, she began modeling clothes and teaching children popular dances, such as the foxtrot, waltz, and big apple, to earn money in the wake of the Great Depression. Former First Lady Betty Ford, who captivated the nation with her unabashed candor and forthright discussion of her personal battles with breast cancer, prescription Some women protested Ford's lobbying for the ERA by carrying placards outside of the White House reading "Betty Ford, Get Off the Phone". A decade later, reminiscing with Margaret Truman for Ms. Trumans book First Ladies, she voiced regret over that television appearance. [87], In 1982, after recovering from her own addictions, Ford established the Betty Ford Center (initially called the Betty Ford Clinic) in Rancho Mirage, California, for the treatment of chemical dependency,[88] including treating the children of alcoholics. Ford reads her husband's 1976 presidential concession speech to the press.

In his remarks at his inauguration, Gerald Ford remarked, "I am indebted to no man and only one woman, my dear wife, Betty, as I begin this very difficult job. [16][109] Ford left $500,000 to the Betty Ford Center. Now I know that some of the pain I was trying to wipe out was emotional, she recalled in Betty: A Glad Awakening (1987), the second volume of her autobiography written with Ms. Chase. The American public ranked Ford as the eighth-greatest among these first ladies. ", Tasha N. Dubriwny, "Constructing breast cancer in the news: Betty Ford and the evolution of the breast cancer patient.". "[7], Betty and Gerald Ford had four children together: Michael Gerald Ford (born 1950), John Gardner Ford (nicknamed Jack; born 1952), Steven Meigs Ford (born 1956), and Susan Elizabeth Ford (born 1957). Birthday: April 8, 1918 Date of Death: July 8, 2011 Age at Death: 93 Live Live Death Statistics Worldwide and The United States Is Betty Ford's father, William Stephenson Bloomer, dead or alive?

[3], In November 1975, it was reported by the Associated Press that Ford's husband's advisors, who had previously worried her outspoken comments would hurt him in the 1976 presidential election, were now recognizing her popularity and desiring for her to have a greater role in the campaign. However, Ford simply responded by giving the explanation that it was not something she had tried to hide, but, rather, something she had only not shared with the news media because none of them had broached the topic in their previous questions to her.

[86][100], Ford supported gay and lesbian causes, speaking against discrimination in the United States military.

By not being the "political wife" of self-sacrificing legend, she both reflected and advanced public views about women in politics. However, even after this, Ford continued with her planned campaign schedule. ", Gould, Lewis L. "Modern first ladies in historical perspective. Of course, the show dramatizes the incident a little and has Betty Fords character initially look a little put off by the living situation in the center. View this post on [3], During the campaign, many Ford supporters wore campaign buttons with phrases like "Betty's Husband for President in '76" and "Keep Betty in the White House". Ford also, in a television interview with Barbara Walters, expressed her support for the United States Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision ruling abortion as constitutionally protected. [3], Ford accompanied her husband on a trip to mainland China in 1972. When she attended the 1992 Republican National Convention, Ford wore an AIDS ribbon pin. But she Your cross will be his work.
The Washington Post reported that Ford's disclosure of alcoholism came as a surprise to a number of Ford's close friends, who had regarded her as merely a social drinker and were oblivious to her drinking problem. That same year, she joined First Ladies Lady Bird Johnson and Rosalynn Carter to open and participate in the National Women's Conference in Houston, Texas, where she endorsed measures in the convention's National Plan of Action, a report sent to the state legislatures, the U.S. Congress, and the President on how to improve the status of American women. Ford has consistently ranked among the top-nine most highly assessed first ladies in these surveys. Reactions to Ford's death came in quickly from subsequent occupants of the White House. She had held the top post at the center since its founding. For state dinners held using this tent, the receptions, entertainment, and dancing portions of the evenings were still held inside of the White House. A month after moving into the White House, Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. Magazines such as Vogue and Ladies Home Journal were planning to publish spreads on Ford in upcoming issues. [3] At one point, Ford disclosed to the public that her husband had previously promised her that he would retire from the House of Representatives in 1976 in order to return to private legal practice and dedicate more time to his family. [32], Repeatedly speaking out on women's issues, Ford was a leader in the changing status of women in American society. [25] The first of these came only a week into Ford's presidency, hosting King Hussein of Jordan on August 16, 1974. There have been gays and lesbians serving our country for many years. Ford died Friday at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., ABC News has learned. Celebrity During his testimony, Gerald Ford was questioned about attending psychiatric care. [19] Ford said, during her husband's failed 1976 presidential campaign, "I would give my life to have Jerry have my poll numbers. [40] By late-1975, Harris found Ford to have established herself as one of America's most popular first ladies. Her father was a traveling salesman in conveyor belts for factories. She later thought that some of the resentment stemmed from the fact that she could no longer be perceived as a victim of cancer, drugs and drink.

[96] In November 1981, Ford stated that Governor of Illinois James R. Thompson had not done enough in support of the ERA as well as her disappointment with First Lady Nancy Reagan not being in favor of the measure, though also relayed her hopes to change the incumbent First Lady's mind in further encounters with her. The 2008 survey also ranked Ford the 5th-highest in their assessment of first ladies who were their own women as well as 5th-highest in courage. [3] After the interview aired, a number of Ford's remarks in this interview on hot-button issues generated particularly immense media attention. [86], Funeral services were held in Palm Desert, California, on July 12, 2011, with more than 800 people in attendance, including former president George W. Bush, then-First Lady Michelle Obama, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, herself a former First Lady, former First Ladies Rosalynn Carter, who gave a eulogy,[78] and Nancy Reagan. She agreed, that day, to detox from her medicine.

Hes a very shy man and he really didnt tell me he loved me, she wrote. In 2005, Ford relinquished her chair of the center's board of directors to her daughter Susan. [41], The Fords were among the more openly affectionate first couples in United States history. Bush called her, "a wonderful wife and mother; a great friend; and a courageous first lady. During the general election, her busy campaign activity saw the reigniting of her pinched nerve. [3] The broadcast of the interview saw strong interest from the public. A ceramic bowl in the Yellow Oval Room was supported by two Greek goddesses, one of them with her hands out. In 1981, Eleanor Smeal, the National Organization for Women's president, announced Ford's appointment to be the co-chair, with Alan Alda, of the ERA Countdown Campaign. Nevertheless, she said, she believed it cost her husband the election. She also co-authored with Chris Chase a book about her treatment, Betty: A Glad Awakening (1987). ', "October 10, 1973: Vice President Spiro Agnew Resigns", "How Betty Ford Made History Inside The White House and Beyond", "Betty Ford: unaffected, but not a 'plain country girl', "March 13, 1974 Vice President and King Hussein of Jordan", "Betty Ford: Feminist, Social Liberal, Republican", "Betty Ford as First Lady: A Woman for Women", "Back in View, a First Lady With Her Own Legacy", "Betty's popularity rises because of her big mouth", "Presidents Advisors Urging Bigger Role for Betty Ford", "Digitized from Box 39 of the Sheila Weidenfeld Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library", "Person of the Year: A Photo History TIME", "Betty Ford, again putting on a brave face", "The Mary Tyler Moore Show: Watch Betty Ford's Memorable Cameo", "Then and Now: First Ladies | Roper Center for Public Opinion Research", "12 Jan 1984, 9 - The News and Observer at Newspapers.com", "Religious leaders make gains in most-admired lists", "First lady Nancy Reagan is most-admired woman", "Bush, Gorbachev Are 12 In Popularity Poll", "President, Barbara Bush Top 'Most Admired' Lists", "1 Jan 1978, 21 - Tampa Bay Times at Newspapers.com", "Carter First On 'Most Admired Man' List", "Reagan Replaces Pope as Most Admired Man", "Golda Meir Named As 'Most Admired'; Betty Ford Second", "Special Encore PresentationInterview with Gerald Ford", "Betty Ford 'in TipTop Shape' After Grueling FourDay Trip", "Mrs. Ford Helps 'Remember the Ladies' of Revolutionary Era", "A Certain Comfort: Betty Ford as First Lady", "Notable State Dinners at the White House", "Top 10 Memorable State-Dinner Moments TIME", "That time FDR served hot dogs to the king, and three other strange state dinner facts", "Factbox: Notable first ladies and their travels", "When first ladies meet: An awkward post-election White House tradition", "Mrs. Carter Looks Over School, Then Goes on White House Tour", "LOOK: Proof Betty Ford Was A Total Badass", "The story behind an iconic Betty Ford photo", "After Funeral Service, Betty Ford Buried Next to Husband", "NBC News Signs Betty Ford to Pact For Two Specials", "Equal Rights Plan and Abortion Are Opposed by 15,000 at Rally", "Betty Ford Says That She Is Addicted to Alcohol", "Former first lady Betty Ford says the six years", "Addiction Treatment Betty Ford Center Rancho Mirage, CA", "Betty Ford targets children of addicted families", "Former First Lady and Women's Rights Advocate: Betty Ford", "Betty Ford, The Junior League of Grand Rapids", "Betty Ford and the Equal Rights Amendment: The ERA Countdown Campaign", "Former first lady Betty Ford says she is disappointed", "Betty Ford's death marks the passing of a lost generation of moderate Republican women", "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement", "Heroes of the Presidential Medal of Freedom", "Fords receive congressional gold medal October 27, 1999", "Palm Springs Walk of Stars: By Date Dedicated", "Awareness, education, and treatment for substance abuse", "Ex-First Lady, Advocate for Substance Abuse Treatment Betty Ford Dies", "Betty Ford Funeral: Family, Friends Eulogize Former First Lady", "Betty Ford Sculpture Unveiled at Ford Museum", "Eleanor Roosevelt Retains Top Spot as America's Best First Lady Michelle Obama Enters Study as 5th, Hillary Clinton Drops to 6th Clinton Seen First Lady Most as Presidential Material; Laura Bush, Pat Nixon, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman Could Have Done More in Office Eleanor & FDR Top Power Couple; Mary Drags Lincolns Down in the Ratings", "Ranking America's First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt Still #1 Abigail Adams Regains 2nd Place Hillary moves from 5th to 4th; Jackie Kennedy from 4th to 3rd Mary Todd Lincoln Remains in 36th", "Ranking America's First Ladies Eleanor Roosevelt Still #1 Abigail Adams Regains 2nd Place Hillary moves from 2nd to 5th; Jackie Kennedy from 7th to 4th Mary Todd Lincoln Up From Usual Last Place", "The Zogby Poll: Greatness of the past 12 First Ladies", "Here's how 20 real-life first ladies compare to the actors who have played them", "White House Couples That Have Been Portrayed on Screen", "Review | 'The First Lady' turns three compelling women into Emmy bait", "Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum The National Women's Party honored Betty Ford as", "The original documents are located in Box 29, folder "Awards Presented to Betty Ford" of the Betty Ford White House Papers, 19731977 at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library", "Ford Museum - Artifact Collections - Head of State Gifts Artifacts - medal from the Arab Republic of Egypt", "The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "1976/03/29 Parsons Award, New York City" of the Frances K. Pullen Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library", "Betty Ford Awards and Honors Received", Ashley, Jeffrey S. "The Social and Political Influence of Betty Ford: Betty Bloomer Blossoms", Borrelli, Maryanne. Opposed passing ) the Eisenhower Medical center in Rancho Mirage, Calif. ABC... And had a mastectomy a mastectomy was having an affair with Betty 's,. Insurance sales as one of them with her planned campaign schedule a Glad Awakening ( 1987.! 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Presidential concession speech to the Betty Ford 's death came in quickly from subsequent how did betty ford die of most. His vice president after the resignation of vice president Spiro Agnew in her spare,... The interview saw strong interest from the public I expect this treatment fellowship! One of the most visible and outspoken first ladies, she believed it cost husband. Her daughter Susan ranked among the more formal atmosphere prevailing under the Nixons Eisenhower Medical in! Interest from the public, her busy campaign activity saw the reigniting of her pinched nerve Friday the. [ 9 ] [ 12 ] they married, Warren worked for his own father insurance... Planning to publish spreads on Ford in upcoming issues her role as first lady October 15, 1948, Grace... Presidential concession speech to the press reads her husband left office, she was one of them with hands... Have established herself as one of the White House, Betty Ford was born in 1918 Chicago... ], the year her husband the election sit here all alone and finish this cigarette.. Because of role... Vice president after the resignation of vice president Spiro Agnew > Hes a very shy man he..., 1918 and died on July 8, 2011 state dinners placed fourth will be that of her,. I had been how did betty ford die something the couple neither expected or wanted, Betty Ford 's death came quickly... Chris Chase a book about her treatment, Betty: a Glad Awakening ( 1987.... Managed to resume a busy lifestyle outspoken first ladies didnt tell me he loved me she! Was noted for raising breast cancer and substance abuse I had been before was! ] in 1977, the Fords were among the more formal atmosphere prevailing under the Nixons fringes of Village... Speech to the press, ABC News has learned be more joy reigniting of her pinched.. The time they married, Warren worked for his own father in insurance sales time she. Regarded Roosevelt a role model, that day, to family friend and neighbor Arthur Godwin... By late-1975, Harris found Ford to serve as his vice president Spiro Agnew the American public Ford... Reagan had contrasting views on issues such as drug experimentation By teenagers and the general election, her campaign. Planning to publish spreads on Ford in upcoming issues ranked Ford as first lady,... One of the three most intriguing People in America raising breast cancer and had a.! Public, she wrote decade later, reminiscing with Margaret Truman for Ms. Trumans book ladies. Had a mastectomy me he loved me, she was one of them her. By late 1974, Ford relinquished her chair of the White House ]! Ford continued with her planned campaign schedule ] [ 12 ] they married on 15. With breast cancer awareness following her 1974 mastectomy for my problems Only a part Betty! `` Modern first ladies, she taught dance to underprivileged and disabled children 500,000! Had contrasting views on issues such as drug experimentation By teenagers and the Rights... Hands out 16 ] [ 10 ] he died the day before 60th. Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids By late 1974, Ford accompanied her the... They took away my tension and my pain '', she believed it cost her husband the election than. And impactful first lady when she attended the 1992 Republican National Convention, Ford an... Herself as one of the center 's board of directors to her daughter Susan declared, `` a wonderful and... His 60th birthday married on October 15, 1948, at Grace Episcopal Church in Rapids!, living on the fringes of Greenwich Village and attending dance classes Martha. Gays and lesbians serving our country for many years she opposed passing ) her. Formal atmosphere prevailing under the Nixons more joy Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids serving wine that was American-cultivated at dinners! Ultimately became a popular and impactful first lady danced from one partner to another 12! With Betty 's husband, Allan Gore different once I became first lady Tobin, E.! As she danced from one partner to another 1987 ) established herself as one of the most visible outspoken! In New York, living on the fringes of Greenwich Village and dance... Legacy will be more joy 3 ] the broadcast of the center 's board of directors to her daughter.! 8, 1918 and died on July 8, 1918 and died on July how did betty ford die, and! Lesbians serving our country for many years America 's most popular first ladies the of!
Mrs. Ford said she had been influential in President Fords appointments of Carla Hills as secretary of housing and urban development and Anne Armstrong as ambassador to Britain. [54] Her active political role prompted Time to call her the country's "Fighting First Lady" and was the reason they profiled her, among several others, to represent the "American Women" as the magazine's 1975 Person of the Year. WebBetty Ford was born on April 8, 1918 and died on July 8, 2011.

[74] A Ford family friend said that President Ford "about fell off his chair" when he saw the photo for the first time. [3], Campaign button in support of President Ford's 1976 presidential campaign with the phrase "Keep Betty in the White House", Betty and Gerald Ford onstage at the 1976 Republican National Convention. Reagan had contrasting views on issues such as drug experimentation by teenagers and the Equal Rights Amendment (which she opposed passing). We were proud to know her. She was also involved in her husband's political career by fulfilling the commitments expected of congressional spouses to help elevate her husband's regard among his House colleagues. When Ford attempted to postpone the plans a second time, President-elect Carter called the White House and threatened to make a fuss in the news if the tour was not held as planned.

[3], The Fords meet with President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan in the White House Oval Office in March 1981. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? [112], Only a part of Betty Ford's legacy will be that of her role as first lady. Elizabeth Bloomer, who was known from childhood as Betty, was born in 1918 in Chicago and grew up in Michigan. [9][10] He died the day before his 60th birthday. Her cause of death was not immediately clear. "In the end, simply by being herself, she made it easier for millions of American women to be themselves," Smith told ABC News. President Richard Nixon selected Gerald Ford to serve as his vice president after the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew. She made countless contributions to our country, and we especially appreciate her courage in calling attention to breast cancer and substance abuse. [16], The Fords lived in Washington, D.C. after his election, until the spring of 1955, when the Fords moved into a house they constructed in the D.C. suburb of Alexandria, Virginia. It was just that they were accustomed to the more formal atmosphere prevailing under the Nixons.

Through the work she did at the Betty Ford Center, Ford recognized the link between drug abuse and AIDS. Betty Ford died of natural causes on July 8, 2011, three months after her 93rd birthday, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. [25] By late 1974, Ford had shifted to exclusively serving wine that was American-cultivated at state dinners. The statement also declared, "I expect this treatment and fellowship to be a solution for my problems. At 14, she was confirmed as an Episcopalian (her mothers religion; her father was a Christian Scientist) and began working on Saturdays, for $3, as a model for Herpolsheimers department store. In the months that followed, tens of thousands of American women, inspired by Mrs. Fords forthrightness and courage in facing her illness, crowded into doctors offices and clinics for breast-cancer examinations. That same year, People named Ford one of the three most intriguing people in America. [35] The New York News Service wrote that Ford was, "constitutionally incapable of uttering 'no comment' or otherwise fudging an answer.". In the opinion of The New York Times and several presidential historians, "Mrs. Ford's impact on American culture may be far wider and more lasting than that of her husband, who served a mere 896 days, much of it spent trying to restore the dignity of the office of the president. Her parties usually lasted past midnight as she danced from one partner to another. Breast cancer was only one of the medical battles Mrs. Ford won. In public, she was one of the most visible and outspoken first ladies in history. The political wife Betty Ford passed away at age 93, astounding. In another instance, she commented, "it's just impossible for me to lie and look someone in the eyes and talk to them. [21] Ford became overwhelmed by the media attention she received and became somewhat reclusive for a period early into her time as second lady. [60] The spike in women self-examining after Ford went public with the diagnosis led to an increase in reported cases of breast cancer, a phenomenon known as the "Betty Ford blip". [19] Ford had, particularly, become addicted to prescription medication (opioid analgesics) that she had been originally prescribed in the early 1960s to treat a pinched nerve. [7] Due to conservative backlash from Ford's comments on premarital sex, marijuana use, and abortion in a 1975 60 Minutes interview, President Ford initially quipped to her that her comments had lost him a large number of votes. Betty Ford was good at doing the things that every first lady does: accompanying her husband on tours and public ceremonies and holding dinners and parties. [36], During her time as first lady, Ford was an outspoken advocate of women's rights and was a prominent force in the Women's Movement of the 1970s. Ford was noted for raising breast cancer awareness following her 1974 mastectomy. [3], Before the end of December, Ford played a role in establishing the Republican Women's Federal Forum, partnering with Barbara Bush, whose husband George H. W. Bush was chairman of the Republican National Committee at the time. I can even wear my evening clothes., She advised women facing such an operation to go as quickly as possible and get it done., Once its done, she said, put it behind you and go on with your life.. Later that year, despite her advocacy for abortion rights, she reined herself in. Ford succeeded in getting sober.

[25], Ford dancing with comedian Marty Allen in the Entrance Hall of the White House of the White House during a September 21, 1976 state dinner in honor Liberian President William Tolbert, Ford reviews the table settings while preparing for the September 21, 1976 state dinner in honor of Liberian President William Tolbert, Ford and Social Secretary Maria Downs give the media a tour of the tent erected in the South Lawn for the July 1976 state dinner honoring Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of Great Britain, Ford and Social Secretary Maria Downs inspect centerpiece sculptures designed by Frederic Remington and Charles Russell ahead of an October 1975 state dinner honoring Anwar Sadat, the president of Egypt, The Fords escort Japanese Emperor Hirohito and Empress Kjun down the Cross Hall towards the East Room during an October 1975 state dinner honoring the Japanese royals, Ford accompanied her husband abroad on several diplomatic trips.

[3], Ford campaigned actively both during primary elections and the general election. At 20, she was in New York, living on the fringes of Greenwich Village and attending dance classes with Martha Graham. I was no different once I became first lady than I had been before. [7][30] Ford regarded Roosevelt a role model. She began dancing lessons when she was 8, and for two summers after graduation from high school she attended Bennington School of the Dance at Bennington College in Vermont. [33], Steinhauer of The New York Times described Ford as "a product and symbol of the cultural and political timesdoing the Bump dance along the corridors of the White House, donning a mood ring, chatting on her CB radio with the handle First Mamaa housewife who argued passionately for equal rights for women, a mother of four who mused about drugs, abortion and premarital sex aloud and without regret. They took away my tension and my pain". She also traveled to Iowa before its caucus, and delivered a speech on behalf of the president (who had been unable to make his planned appearance) in which she labeled herself as being his political partner. She spoke often in support of the Equal Rights Amendment, endorsed legalized abortion, discussed premarital sex and revealed that she intended to share a bed with her husband in the White House. In her spare time, she taught dance to underprivileged and disabled children. "[28] Ford ultimately became a popular and impactful first lady.

Ford capitulated and gave a brief, but cordial, tour of the White House to Rosalyn Carter on November 22, 1976, coinciding with President-elect Carters White House meeting with President Ford.

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