|
|
Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Ford
|
|
|
|
Birthdate
|
04/08/1918
|
|
Death date
|
07/08/2011
|
|
President
|
Gerald Ford
|
|
Dates of service
|
08/09/1974-01/20/1977
|
|
Relationship to president
|
Spouse
|
|
Other marriages
|
N/A
|
|
|
Websites
|
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum: Betty Ford Biography
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation: Betty Ford Biography
|
|
Papers/letters collections
|
Presidential R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum: Betty Ford White House Papers
Book: The Times of My Life
Book: Betty: A Glad Awakening
|
|
Historical sites
|
Gerald R. Ford Museum Exhibit
Betty Ford Gravesite
|
|
Fascinating details
|
- Betty Ford gained enormous popularity for her candor with the public about most subjects including her own health issues, her children, and her feelings toward being the wife of a politician.
- Betty displayed a striking willingness to advocate for women, including being a staunch champion of the Equal Rights Amendment, lobbying wavering legislators for their votes.
- She is also said to have contributed to President Ford’s decision to name 21 women to posts requiring Senate approval, bringing the total to 45.
- Co-founded the Betty Ford Center, premier alcohol and drug addiction treatment center, at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA after recovering from alcohol and substance abuse herself.
- Presented with many awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999, alongside Gerald Ford.
|
Return to First Lady Main Page.
