[40], In 1985, Ford received the Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged, an annual award given by the Jefferson Awards. [19] Ford's abortion position differed from the political platform of the Republican Party. From a young age, she had a passion for dancing. Gena Rowlands won both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of Ford. 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. Bette Ford came to New York City from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA, with big dreams . [3][20] However, notably, Ford had not managed to address her increasing prescription pain medication dependency, which sometimes saw her taking as many as twenty pills in a single day. Leadership: Theory and Practice. Live July 9, 2011 -- Former first lady Betty Ford, whose candor about her own battles with substance abuse helped erase much of the stigma attached to addiction, has died. This is the autobiographical story of the addiction and recovery of former First Lady Betty Bloomer Ford, wife of US President Gerald R. Ford. [3], The Fords meet with President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan in the White House Oval Office in March 1981. This is my problem". Also, as a tireless advocate for women's rights and social justice, she helped to improve the lives and opportunities of countless women and children.". The Golden Girls star, who passed away on Dec. 31 at age 99, died due to a cerebrovascular accident, according to her death certificate obtained by PEOPLE on Monday. [53][51] Contrarily to her, while President Ford ranked in the top-10 positions of most admired men in multiple years,[56][57][58][59] he never managed to top it. John Robert Greene. I embrace it, not only for me, but all the many others who are here to participate." Betty White died from a stroke suffered on Dec. 25, 2021, six days before her Dec. 31 death at age 99, according to her death certificate, the Associated Press reports. But the approach was almost unheard of decades ago when the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation came to be. At this point in her life, she was married to her first husband, businessman William Warren. Her mother remarried, to family friend and neighbor Arthur Meigs Godwin, and Bloomer lived with them. [3], Spiro Agnew resigned as vice president on October 10, 1973. ", Tasha N. Dubriwny, "Constructing breast cancer in the news: Betty Ford and the evolution of the breast cancer patient.". Ford also became famous as a pioneer in the battle against substance abuse. After leaving the White House, Mrs. Ford helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction and inspired thousands to seek much-needed treatment. Days later, Ford also disclosed to the public that she had come to realize that she was additionally an alcoholic. [3], Ford had an extremely busy schedule by July 1974. [3] As a mother, Ford never spanked or hit her children, believing that there were better, more constructive ways to deal with discipline and punishment. [3][75] She is the most recent first lady not to have done so. [3], Despite the brevity of her husband's presidency (roughly two and a half years), he hosted 33 state dinners, the fifth most state dinners of any United States president. [19] In her 1987 memoir she reflected on these addictions, writing, "I liked alcohol, it made me feel warm. President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also cited Ford's dedication to woman's rights and substance abuse issues, and recalled honoring her during her lifetime. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Ford to the second National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year (the first had been appointed by President Ford). [94] The amendment did not receive enough states' ratification. On August 9, 1974, Betty Bloomer Ford was thrust onto the world stage when her . "[3], At the time her husband assumed the presidency, reporters speculated on what kind of first lady Ford would be, as they thought her predecessor, Pat Nixon, as noted by one reporter, to be the "most disciplined, composed first lady in history. When they returned to Grand Rapids, she worked again at Herpolsheimer's, this time as the fashion coordinator. [25] The first of these came only a week into Ford's presidency, hosting King Hussein of Jordan on August 16, 1974. [15] An anecdote that was later reported was that, when Gerald Ford left Grand Rapids for Washington, D.C., Betty Ford's new sister-in-law Janet Ford remarked to her, "with Jerry, you'll never have to worry about other women. She also organized her own dance group and taught dance at various sites in Grand Rapids, including the Calla Travis Dance Studio. Betty Ford, whose husband, Gerald, died in December 2006, had undergone surgery for an undisclosed ailment in April 2007. Betty underwent a radical mastectomy at Bethesda Naval Hospital and inadvertently destigmatized breast cancer by addressing her illness publicly during a White House press conference. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Ford was also observed as upgrading her wardrobe, adding designer clothing. [61], Ford successfully lobbied her husband to, in 1975, sign an executive order to establish the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year. But, before . [3], Ford was also used, both by Ford supporters and detractors, as a symbol of liberal Republicanism, with her politics contrasting with the Republican Party's conservative and moderate wings. [19] Ford lobbied state legislatures to ratify the amendment, and took on opponents of the amendment. Her candor in talking about and dealing with substance abuse and treatment helped led to an improvement in how Americans talk about such matters. Helping others overcome addiction became her chief cause. This prospect elated Ford. You see, Betty (played on The First Lady by Michelle Pfeiffer and Kristine Froseth) was married to William before she wed former President Gerald Ford (Aaron Eckhart). July 8, 2011 — -- Betty Ford, wife of former President Gerald Ford and the founder of the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction, has died at age 93. ", McClellan, Michelle L. "Fame through Shame: Women Alcoholics, Celebrity, and Disclosure. Betty Ford "became known for her openness and candor" (Northouse, 2013) and remained true to herself, she did not change who she was, or her core values because of her new position as First Lady. White's death was confirmed Friday by Jeff Witjas, her longtime agent and friend. At one point, they lived in Toledo, Ohio, where Elizabeth was employed at the department store Lasalle & Koch as a demonstrator, a job that entailed being a model and saleswoman. As a supporter of abortion rights and a leader in the women's rights movement, she gained fame as one of the most candid first ladies in history, commenting on the hot-button issues of the time, such as feminism, equal pay, the Equal Rights Amendment, sex, drugs, abortion, and gun control. [3][19] Ford took doses of this medication in excess of her prescription. Bush called her, "a wonderful wife and mother; a great friend; and a courageous first lady. July 12, 2011 Betty Ford. July 8, 2011 Mrs. Betty Ford passes away at 93 years of age. [99] On May 8, 2003, Ford received the Woodrow Wilson Award in Los Angeles for her public service, awarded by the Woodrow Wilson Center of the Smithsonian Institution. Betty Ford Biography Betty Ford, the United States' first lady, was born on April 8, 1918. In 1964, a pinched nerve on the left side of Ford's neck sent her to the hospital for two weeks. But the main point was, it was best for the country.". The first lady helped the nation restore its faith in the presidency following the Watergate scandal, once saying she wanted the White House to sing again. "Ford. [3], Ford campaigned actively both during primary elections and the general election. [84] In 1991, Ford was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H. W. Bush[3][97] She and President Ford jointly received a Congressional Gold Medal in 1999. ", President Carter and his wife Rosalynn, who succeeded the Fords in the White House, recalled "a close personal friend and our frequent partner in bipartisan efforts to improve mental health and substance abuse care in our nation. She was working in a fashion job in Grand Rapids where Gerald lived. In a tribute, Mark Updegrove, Director of the LBJ Library, who wrote much about the Ford family, said: Betty Ford was a thoroughly modern first ladyand among the most progressive we've ever had in the White House. She died Friday at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif. and her cause of death was not immediately clear. Rancho Mirage, California, USA; Recently Passed Away Celebrities and Famous People. She regularly drove her children around to their activities, such as her sons' Little League Baseball games and her daughter's dance classes. At the time Betty was struggling she needed to report to a rehab facility but at the time they catered to men. Ford, a Rancho Mirage resident who died in July 2011, had told The Desert Sun that she opposed the idea of national expansion. [84], 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,[76] and Nancy Reagan. 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. [78] In June 1977, Ford was a speaker at the Arthritis Association Convention. ", Gould, Lewis L. "Modern first ladies in historical perspective. [72][73], 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. The state dinners that Ford planned as first lady made a deliberate effort to showcase American ingredients. [19] For a long time, it was unclear whether Gerald Ford shared his wife's pro-abortion rights viewpoint. [65] Ford decided to be open about her illness because "There had been so much cover-up during Watergate that we wanted to be sure there would be no cover-up in the Ford administration. Though I told myself I would just use once. With Betty Ford you had a progressive woman . Betty Ford is awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President George H. W. Bush, 1991. Asked about her illness, she said, "I'm very glad that I brought cancer to the forefront.". Ford with other U.S. First Ladies at the November 1991 opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Betty Ford was known as a vivacious activist for women's rights. She was a remarkable political spouse, whose courageous candor helped forge a new era of openness after the divisiveness of the Vietnam War and Watergate. Ford took these stances despite recognizing that they created a political risk of conservative backlash against her husband. [14] The Fords would ultimately be married for the next 58 years, until Gerald Ford's death. 9 min read. [3], During the primaries, Ford recorded radio advertisements on behalf of the campaign that were broadcast in New Hampshire. Because the pills were prescribed by a physician, she did not believe that she had a . Betty Ford (1918-2011) was the wife of Gerald Ford, who was the 38th president of the United States between 1974 and 1977. She served as the honorary president of the National Lupus Foundation, regarding lupus as a disease which impacted women, yet received minimal public attention. She became famous for her candor. Gerald Ford: Gerald Ford was president of the United States between 1974 and 1977. Ford died Friday at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., ABC News has learned. The LA County death . "In the end, simply by being herself, she made it easier for millions of American women to be themselves," Smith told ABC News. [25][69] Once she became first lady, it fell to Ford to arrange this already-scheduled dinner. Los Angeles: Sage Publications. Because of her leadership, many lives were saved.". [63], Ford's involvement in political issues received some conservative criticism. In another instance, she commented, "it's just impossible for me to lie and look someone in the eyes and talk to them. Gerald and Betty Ford on their wedding day, October 15, 1948 In 1947 a friend introduced her to Gerald R. Ford, Jr., a young lawyer who had served as Navy lieutenant during World War II. [105] In terms of cumulative assessment, Ford has been ranked: The 2008 Siena Research Institute survey ranked Ford the 5th-highest of the twenty 20th and 21st century First Ladies. Ford was born Elizabeth Anne Bloomer in 1918 in Chicago, Illinois, the third child and only daughter of Hortense (ne Neahr; 1884 1948) and William Stephenson Bloomer Sr. (1874 1934), who was a traveling salesman for Royal Rubber Co.[3] She was called Betty as a child. White House photographer David Hume Kennerly took a photo of her on the table. By not being the "political wife" of self-sacrificing legend, she both reflected and advanced public views about women in politics. "I'm not out to rescue anybody who doesn't want to be rescued," she once said. After leaving the White House in 1977, Ford continued to lead an active public life. Emergency responders, including police, showed up at her home Friday morning as a standard procedure. She had held the top post at the center since its founding. Shortly after leaving the White House in 1977, at a time when alcoholism was considered a shameful topic which should never be discussed or even mentioned, the Ford family held . Betty Ford, the first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, died at the age of 93. 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. Warters, T. Alissa. Betty Ford, or Elizabeth Anne Ford, was the wife of the 38th U.S. president, Gerald Ford, and thus the First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. What many don't know is that she was also a talented modern dancer. [3][5][12] They married on October 15, 1948, at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids. 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. The IMDb credits for the May 1 episode, "Please Allow Me," show that Thomas E. Sullivan an actor who has had recurring parts on . [19] The use of Ford in such a manner to promote her husband's candidacy was not the work of the campaign itself, but rather, produced by supporters outside of the campaign organization. The Fords' children often also attended the dinners they hosted. Betty Ford. A month after moving into the White House, Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. [32], Repeatedly speaking out on women's issues, Ford was a leader in the changing status of women in American society. Tennessee Ernie Ford, as he came to be known, was an ordinary man but his overwhelming success later led to his downfall. Bloomer disliked the surname. She also was completely unpretentious. [19] Ford said, during her husband's failed 1976 presidential campaign, "I would give my life to have Jerry have my poll numbers. [50] In 1974, Ford placed second in the poll. She recalled that the first time she heard someone call her father an alcoholic was at his funeral. 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