Betty Ford
Elizabeth Anne Ford (née Bloomer; April 8, 1918 – July 8, 2011) was an American spokesperson and women's right activist who was the first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, as the wife of President Gerald Ford.[2] She was also the second lady of the United States from 1973 to 1974 when her husband was vice president.
Betty Ford | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, August 1974 | |
| First Lady of the United States | |
| In role August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977 | |
| President | Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | Pat Nixon |
| Succeeded by | Rosalynn Carter |
| Second Lady of the United States | |
| In role December 6, 1973 – August 9, 1974 | |
| Vice President | Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | Judy Agnew (Oct. 1973) |
| Succeeded by | Happy Rockefeller (Dec. 1974) |
| 1st Chairwoman of the Betty Ford Center | |
| In office October 4, 1982 – January 25, 2005[1] | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Susan Ford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Elizabeth Anne Bloomer April 8, 1918 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | July 8, 2011 (aged 93) Rancho Mirage, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Gerald Ford (m. 1948; died 2006) |
| Children |
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| Signature |  |
Biography
Early life and education
Elizabeth Anne Bloomer was born on April 8, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois, to Hortense Neahr and William Stephenson Bloomer. She also had two older brothers. Ford later grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
She attended schools such as, Central High School and Bennington School of Dance.[3]
Marriage and family
Betty and Gerald Ford were married at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 15, 1948.
The couple had four children named Michael, Jack, Susan, and Steven Ford.[4]
Second Lady of the United States (1973–1974)
Ford became the second lady of the United States succeeding Judy Agnew when her husband inaugurated as the 40th vice president of the United States on December 6, 1973, after the resignation of Spiro Agnew.
Ford served as the second lady from 1973 until her husband's term ended in August 1974.
First Lady of the United States (1974–1977)
Ford assumed the role and duties as the first lady of the United States succeeding Pat Nixon, when her husband inaugurated as the 38th president of the United States, upon the resignation of Richard Nixon on August 9, 1974.
As first lady, Ford was very active, she kept high approval ratings and she was considered to be an influential first lady. Ford was known for raising Breast cancer awareness In addition, she was a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, abortion rights and the women's rights movement.
Ford gained fame as one of the most influential first ladies in history. She supported major issues such as feminism, equal pay, drugs, gun control.
She was regarded to be the most politically outspoken first lady since Eleanor Roosevelt. Ford regarded Roosevelt as a role model. Active in social policy, Ford broke a record as a politically active presidential spouse.
Ford was popular with the American public. Her overall approval rating was as high as 75%. Ford's popularity was higher than her husband's at most times.
Ford served as the first lady from 1974 until her husband's term ended in 1977.
Later Life
In 1987, Ford opened the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California. The center helps treat drug dependence, alcoholism, and substance abuse. In 1991, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H. W. Bush.
Death and funeral
Ford died of natural causes three months after her 93rd birthday, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California.
Her funeral was held on July 14, 2011, and she was later buried next to her husband at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.
Betty Ford Media
Betty Bloomer at age 18, 1936
Betty and Gerald Ford join Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie Eisenhower at a Grand Rapids, Michigan, event for Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1952 presidential campaign.
Ford (third from left) and her family in the Oval Office of the White House in 1974
The Frankie Welch-designed dress that Ford wore to her husband's swearing-in as vice president
Vice President Gerald Ford is sworn in as the 38th President of the United States by Chief Justice Warren Burger in the East Room at the White House as Betty Ford looks on.
Betty and Gerald Ford riding in the presidential limousine in 1974
Ford sits in the White House Solarium with Morley Safer before filming her August 1975 60 Minutes interview with him.
References
- ↑ "Susan Ford - C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org.
- ↑ "Elizabeth Anne Bloomer Ford". The White House. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ↑ "Elizabeth Anne Bloomer Ford". The White House. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ↑ "Elizabeth Anne Bloomer Ford". The White House. Retrieved 2023-02-22.