About Betty Ford
Betty was known by many as the most open and candid First Lady following her 60 Minutes interview where she discussed the Equal Rights Amendment, pre-martial sex, abortion and marijuana use. Although initially dividing public opinion, the liberal FLOTUS won over many with her liberality and independent views from the President.
As First Lady, the American public got a taste of the willpower she possessed. Following the First Lady's public declaration of breast cancer, a surge was seen cancer diagnoses as women sought medical advice about what was once a taboo subject. This was known as the Betty Ford blip and saved thousands of lives.
Betty lobbied her husband politically much to his advisors' dismay. She unsuccessfully vouched for Carla Anderson Hills to become the first female Supreme Court judge after William Douglas' retirement in November 1975, however Ford did later appoint Hills to his cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Urban development.
Left: Image of Betty Ford stood on the Truman Balcony.
Betty's beginnings
Scroll to journey through Betty Ford's incredible life from her beginnings as a child from Chicago, to her time as First Lady and to her post-Presidency achievements!
Betty Bloomer is born
Betty was born in Chicago, Illinois on 8 April 1918, the third child of Hortense and William Bloomer.
.png)
Congressional Wife
1949-1973 saw Betty become a congressional wife. This meant juggling motherhood while keeping up a busy social calendar which included fundraising and volunteering. Betty became an active member of groups such as the National Federation of Republican Women while in D.C.
.png)
Betty and Gerald marry
Betty and Gerald married on 15 October 1948 in the midst of Gerald kicking off his first Congressional campaign.
.png)
Second Lady
Following Spiro Agnew's resignation, President Richard Nixon appointed Gerald Ford as Vice President on 13 October 1973. This saw Betty host her first state dinner, attend the funeral of Alberta Williams King as well as promoting arts based programs such as ARTRAIN.
Baby boom
After their marriage, Betty and Gerald welcomed four children at home in Alexandria, Virginia between 1950 and 1957.
.png)
Betty becomes FLOTUS
9 August 1974. Nixon's resignation meant that Gerald Ford became President of the United States. As First Lady, Betty hosted 32 state dinners, lobbied for the passing of the ERA and publicly declared her support for Roe vs. Wade amongst other controversial topics.
Betty and breast cancer
Betty underwent a mastectomy on 28 September 1974, publicising her cancer journey to raise awareness of breast cancer. This triggered a phenomenon called the 'Betty Ford blip' as more women checked themselves as a result of her openness.
.png)
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Betty was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 18 November 1991 by President George H. W. Bush.
.png)
Betty checks into rehab
After a family intervention in April 1978, Betty attended a rehab facility to treat a drug and alcohol addiction. Again, she disclosed her struggles to the press in an attempt to candidly bring awareness to the intense struggles of addiction.
.png)
Gerald Ford dies
Gerald passed at home at Rancho Mirage, California on 26 December 2006 aged 93.
.png)
Betty Ford Center opens
Following her sobriety, Betty ventured to open her own clinic to help others with their own addiction struggles. 1982 saw the Betty Ford Center established as a residential treatment centre in California. Many celebrities have praised the centre for its programs.
.png)
Betty Ford dies
Betty passed peacefully at home in California on 8 July 2011 aged 93.
Meet the Fords
Meet the Fords. The whole family pitched in during Gerald's 1976 campaign, covering over 40 states in their re-election effort. Mike's focus became the North East, Steve spent much of his time campaigning out west, while Susan took on the midwest. Jack, instead spent much of his time at campaign headquarters helping to confirm support from state delegates.
