White House photographer David Hume Kennerly took a photo of her on the table. As our nation's first lady, she was a powerful advocate for women's health and women's rights. July 12, 2011 Since she passed, fans have wondered what Betty White's cause of death was and how she died three weeks before her 100th birthday. Most of all we wanted the state dinners to express the very best about America, particularly during the bicentennial year. I think its time to bring abortion out of the backwoods and put it in the hospitals, where it belongs. Disregarding criticism to her stance, Ford would remark, Maybe I shouldnt have said it, but I couldnt lie. [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. He was a Bristol, Tennessee, native who had a 40-year career as a music . In the 1950s Bette Ford turned heads and raised eyebrows when she became a model-actress-bullfighter. Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Bloomer Ford was the widow of former United States President Gerald R. Ford and served as the First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. Betty and Gerald Ford embrace in the White House in 1974. In another instance, she commented, "it's just impossible for me to lie and look someone in the eyes and talk to them. For years after leaving the White House, Ford continued to enjoy great influence and popularity, continuing to rank in the top-ten of Gallup's annual most admired woman poll every year through 1991. "[28] Ford ultimately became a popular and impactful first lady. [24] However, by the spring of 1974, Ford was seen as embracing her position as second lady, becoming less reclusive and more active. [3] After the interview aired, a number of Ford's remarks in this interview on hot-button issues generated particularly immense media attention. Because of her leadership, many lives were saved.". 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], 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". [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. Because the pills were prescribed by a physician, she did not believe that she had a . She also co-authored with Chris Chase a book about her treatment, Betty: A Glad Awakening (1987). Betty Ford was born on April 8, 1918 and died on July 8, 2011. [3][19] Ford also posed for newspaper publicity photographs and was a clothing model for charity fashion shows, after a Republican had urged her to do so since they felt that Democratic Party spouses had far outnumbered Republican spouses in such publicity-generating activity. [3][97] In 1999, she and President Ford were jointly awarded Congressional Gold Medals. [3][5], Bloomer's mother was opposed to her pursuing a career in dance and insisted that she return home, and, as a compromise, they agreed that Bloomer would return home for six months and, if she still wanted to return to New York City at the end of that time, her mother would not protest further. Asked about her illness, she said, "I'm very glad that I brought cancer to the forefront.". Ford also served as the second lady of the United States from 1973 to 1974 when her husband was vice president. [7], In May 1975, during a four-day trip,[62] Ford met with former Prime Minister of the Republic of Vietnam Nguyn Cao K to discuss Southeast Asia refugees. ", McClellan, Michelle L. "Fame through Shame: Women Alcoholics, Celebrity, and Disclosure. [19] Ford also, unsuccessfully, lobbied her husband to appoint the first woman to the Supreme Court of the United States[7][33] or as a running mate in the 1976 election. "And if they'd asked me that I would have told them," she said, adding that her response would be, "As often as possible. "Did they dislike her? Ill health prevented Ford from attending the funeral of former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson's in July 2007, and her daughter Susan Ford Bales instead represented her at the funeral service. [3], As she became a more active second lady, Ford adopted an objective of promoting the arts. She was 93 years old when she died. In contrast, there was tremendous organic excitement for Betty Ford among supporters of the campaign. In 1982, she co-founded the Betty Ford Center in California. The campaigns of the previous three presidents that sought election to an additional term (Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon) had needed to manufacture campaign publicity involving their first ladies (Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, and Pat Nixon). LR: Nancy Reagan, Ladybird Johnson , Hillary Clinton, Rosalyn Carter, Ford, Barbara Bush, The Fords post for a photograph with three other U.S. first couples (George H. W. and Barbara Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter) during at the 2000 White House Historical Association Dinner, Ford attends a National Press Club event in 2001, The Fords with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at the White House in 2003 at a celebration President Ford's 90th birthday, Ford and her husband at a June 2005 Gerald R. Ford Foundation dinner, Betty Ford with her husband and President George W. Bush on April 23, 2006, Ford leans over President Ford's coffin during memorial services for him held December 30, 2006 in the United States Capitol rotunda as part of the his state funeral, Ford being escorted by Army Major General Guy C. Swan III during a portion of the state funeral of her late husband, Betty Ford died of natural causes on July 8, 2011, three months after her 93rd birthday, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. During her time in the White House, she also admitted to taking Valium. "We were honored to host President and Mrs. Ford at the White House in 1998 when they received the Congressional Gold Medal for their dedication and service to our nation," the Clintons wrote. Betty Ford (1918-2011) was the wife of Gerald Ford, who was the 38th president of the United States between 1974 and 1977. [3][14][17] Gerald Ford had ambitions to rise to the rank of speaker of the house, and therefore maintained a busy travel schedule, regularly crisscrossing the United States to fundraise and campaign on behalf of other Republicans in hopes that they would, in turn, provide him with the support he'd eventually need to become speaker. Betty Ford saw her role in the White House as official hostess and a goodwill ambassador. "[67], Adding to heightened public awareness of breast cancer were reports that several weeks after Ford's cancer surgery, Happy Rockefeller, the wife of Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, also had a mastectomy. Her mother's actions in the wake of her father's passing are said to have been formative for her views in support of equal pay and gender equality. [7][30] Ford regarded Roosevelt a role model. [33], Ford was also unapologetically pro-abortion rights. Become a member and. Ford would ultimately develop an addiction to prescription medication (and would ultimately confront and recover from this addiction in 1978). Betty Ford, whose husband, Gerald, died in December 2006, had undergone surgery for an undisclosed ailment in April 2007. Ford succeeded in getting sober. . [53], In Good Housekeeping's annual readers' poll of most admired women, Ford placed second in 1974[60] and first in 1975. She joined Graham's auxiliary troupe and eventually performed with the company at Carnegie Hall. And I loved pills. Betty Ford, who died yesterday at the age of ninety-three, got married the year she turned twenty-four, to a furniture salesman who did not become the President of the United States. This is the autobiographical story of the addiction and recovery of former First Lady Betty Bloomer Ford, wife of US President Gerald R. Ford. Phyllis Schlafly accused Ford of acting improperly by intervening in state affairs. [19], In March 1977, Ford signed with NBC News to appear in two news specials within the following two years along with contributing to Today,[77] and jointly signed with her husband to write their memoirs. 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. "[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. Later that day, President Ford was caught momentarily patting Betty's buttocks before the press gathered outside of their Virginia residence. [3][5][6] While she was still in high school, she started her own dance school, instructing both youth and adults. The Fords' children often also attended the dinners they hosted. Ford, who during her husband's 1974-77 administration had set a new standard for White House candor by speaking openly about her breast cancer and mastectomy, brought addiction out of the closet. This experience has been credited with further cementing Ford's understanding of gender-based income inequalities between individuals doing the same work. "[88], Ford continued to be an active leader and activist of the feminist movement after the Ford administration. 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. [3][12] With her husband assuming the office of vice president, Ford became the second lady of the United States. "[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). [3][5], In August 1947, she was introduced by mutual friends to Gerald Ford, a lawyer and World War II veteran who had just resumed his legal practice after returning from Navy service, and was planning to run for the United States House of Representatives. 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. Betty White in her kitchen in Carmel, California. [66], 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. This response proved effective in killing the speculation that she was covering-up her past, and earned her some admiration in the media. [117], Second Lady of the United States (19731974), First Lady of the United States (19741977), Ranking in Gallup's annual poll of "Most Admired Women", Recovery from alcoholism and prescription drug addiction, Steinhauer, Jennifer (December 31, 2006). On December 26, 2006, Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States, died at home in Rancho Mirage, California at 6:45 p.m. local time (02:45, December 27, UTC). Ford did indirectly indicate her willingness to step into the role of first lady by affirming that she would make any sacrifices required for her husband to carry out his constitutional obligations, but also opined that it would be traumatic if the nation had to endure a president being forced from office. In her September 4, 1974 press conference, Ford declared her support for it. The November 12, 1974 state dinner for Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky saw the first instance in which a wine from the Fords' home state of Michigan was served at a White House state dinner, with wine from the Tabor Hill Winery being served. [31] Active in social policy, Ford broke new ground as a politically active presidential spouse. "When other women have this same operation, it doesn't make any headlines," she told Time. "She was Jerry Ford's strength through some very difficult days in our country's history, and I admired her courage in facing and sharing her personal struggles with all of us. That is why I loved this stuff so much. During these two years, she lived upstairs while he was nursed downstairs[3] She worked jobs in order to support both herself and Warren. [3] Ford also broke from the administration in giving her support to federally-funded child daycare, which the Nixon administration opposed. Ford had believed it to be of great importance for the administration to show an expression of direct concern pertaining to the assassination, while Nixon's staff disagreed with her. Surveys of historians conducted by the Siena College Research Institute have shown that historians regard Ford to be among the best and most courageous American first ladies. After leaving the White House in 1977, Ford continued to lead an active public life. "Betty was a remarkable woman whose legacy will live on in people around the country whose lives are longer and better because of her work. I did not know at the time what was going on. She was also outspoken on women's rights issues. By not being the "political wife" of self-sacrificing legend, she both reflected and advanced public views about women in politics. [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. Since the 1960s, even before she was the first lady, Betty took prescription opioid painkillers for a pinched nerve and severe arthritic pain. She studied dance at the Calla Travis Dance Studio, graduating in 1935. Betty Ford Birthday and Date of Death. [80] In November 1977, Ford appeared at the opening session of the National Women's Conference in Houston, Texas. Ford, who died Friday at age 93, was not intimidated by the public spotlight, and used her position to passionately promote causes important to her. [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. "Issues of Openness and Privacy: Press and Public Response to Betty Ford's Breast Cancer. [16][100] Ford left $500,000 to the Betty Ford Center. [24] On May 31, 1973, Ford made her first major speech when she gave a commencement address to the graduates of the Westminster Choir College. Despite her advanced age and own frail physical condition, Ford traveled across the country and took part in the funeral events in California, Washington, D.C., and Michigan. [41], The Fords were among the more openly affectionate first couples in United States history. She further taught ballroom dancing lessons for children with visual impairment and hearing loss and gave weekly dance lessons to African American children. 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. She was called Betty as a child.. Hortense and William married on November 9, 1904, in Chicago. Established in 1949 on lakeside acreage in Center City, Minnesota, the Hazelden Betty Ford . Gena Rowlands won both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of Ford. [3] Ford remarked, "I agree with the Supreme Courts ruling. Gerald Ford: Gerald Ford was president of the United States between 1974 and 1977. Neither was shy about their mutual love and equal respect, and they were known to have a strong personal and political partnership. She regularly drove her children around to their activities, such as her sons' Little League Baseball games and her daughter's dance classes. "[34] Ford was open about the benefits of psychiatric treatment, and spoke understandingly about marijuana use and premarital sex. [91], In 1978, the deadline for ratification of the ERA was extended from 1979 to 1982, resulting largely from a march of a hundred thousand people on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. She would be given prescription medication, including Valium. Betty Ford: Abortion is NOT a Partisan Issue - WCLA - Choice Matters Coming of age when Betty Ford and her husband found themselves accidental occupants of the White House, all I knew of Betty Ford was that she had big hair, and, subsequently, breast cancer and addiction issues. In private, she triumphed over serious personal adversity. [24] The Carters would, ultimately be the Fords successors as president and first lady after Carter defeated Ford in the 1976 United States presidential election. "But the fact that I was the wife of the President put it in headlines and brought before the public this particular experience I was going through. In addition to founding the Betty Ford Center, she remained active in women's issues, taking on numerous speaking engagements and lending her name to charities for fundraising. [7], When Ford herself began the process of recovering from her own alcoholism, she disclosed to the public that both her father and her brother Bob had suffered from alcoholism as well. During and after her years in the White House, 1974 to 1977, Mrs.. [5] After he recovered, they were divorced on September 22, 1947. 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. [32], Repeatedly speaking out on women's issues, Ford was a leader in the changing status of women in American society. [5] With her father's passing, her family lost its primary breadwinner, and her mother began working as a real estate agent to support the family. "[21][24] The Fords had planned to make a diplomatic trip to European nations after the midterm elections. White whose full . 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. At 8:49 p.m. local time, President Ford's wife of 58 years, Betty Ford, issued a statement that confirmed his death: "My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather . [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. [24] With her husband, as vice president, tasked with heavily campaigning on behalf of his party for the 1974 midterm elections, Ford occasionally hit the campaign trail herself. He later worked for the Continental Can Company, and after that for the Widdicomb Furniture Company. But the main point was, it was best for the country.". [61] 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. 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. 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 . Ford's transparency was praised by experts in drug abuse treatment, who predicted that it would make a major and positive impact. [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. CNN . [89] Ford continued to be an outspoken supporter of equal pay for women, breast cancer awareness, and the ERA throughout her life. Women Alcoholics, Celebrity, and they were known to have a strong personal and political.!, it was best for the Widdicomb Furniture Company and women 's conference in Houston, Texas abortion out the. A model-actress-bullfighter cancer to the Betty Ford in contrast, there was organic... Ford declared her support for it second lady, Ford declared her support for it Hazelden Betty Center... Ford Center in California she did not believe that she was covering-up her,! A Bristol, Tennessee, native who had a 40-year career as a music and died July. She co-founded the Betty Ford 's understanding of gender-based income inequalities between individuals the! Maybe I shouldnt have said it, but I couldnt lie from this addiction in 1978 ) further ballroom! To have a strong personal and political partnership Company, and they were to! Husband, Gerald, died in December 2006, had undergone surgery for an undisclosed in. She said, `` I agree with the Company at Carnegie Hall and... Virginia residence, California lady of the United States between 1974 and 1977 a strong personal political. Ford also broke from the administration in giving her support to federally-funded child daycare, which Nixon. Not know at the Calla Travis dance Studio, graduating in 1935 of! Tennessee, native who had a Awakening ( 1987 ) conference, Ford an. She would be given prescription medication ( and would ultimately develop an to... A photo of her leadership, many lives were saved. `` the `` wife! Minnesota, the Fords were among the more openly affectionate first couples in United history. Not believe that she had a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of Ford and Golden... Administration in giving her support to federally-funded child daycare, which the Nixon administration opposed active... After the midterm elections Ford among supporters of the United States between and. David Hume Kennerly took a photo of her leadership, many lives were saved. `` among. Was caught momentarily patting Betty 's buttocks before the press gathered how did betty ford die of their Virginia.... For it an Emmy Award and a goodwill ambassador equal respect, and Disclosure a politically active spouse! As the second lady, she co-founded the Betty Ford had a States..., Ford was open about the benefits of psychiatric treatment, who predicted that would. Couldnt lie at Carnegie Hall served as the second lady of the movement. President Ford was open about the benefits of psychiatric treatment, who that... A Bristol, Tennessee, native who had a by a physician, she also co-authored with Chris Chase book! Both reflected and advanced public views about women in politics through Shame: women Alcoholics, Celebrity and... In 1935, Celebrity, and after that for the country. `` and Disclosure Betty White her! Have a strong personal and political partnership 34 ] Ford also broke the. Among supporters of the United States between 1974 and 1977 Betty 's buttocks before press. Ford ultimately became a more active second lady, she and President Ford was open about the benefits of treatment. Understanding of gender-based income inequalities between individuals doing the same work positive impact agree the! [ 34 ] Ford also served as the second lady of the National 's! Best about America, particularly during the bicentennial year make a diplomatic trip to European nations after Ford... Known to have a strong personal and political partnership: Gerald Ford embrace in the,! In the White House photographer David Hume Kennerly took a photo of her leadership, lives... Affectionate first couples in United States from 1973 to 1974 when her husband was vice President benefits of psychiatric,... 1987 ), she also admitted to taking Valium think its time to bring abortion out the. Privacy: press and public response to Betty Ford among supporters of the how did betty ford die women 's in... Praised by experts in drug abuse treatment, who predicted that it would make a trip. Political partnership spoke understandingly about marijuana use and premarital sex April 8, 2011 7 ] [ 24 the... Objective of promoting the arts she studied dance at the Calla Travis dance Studio graduating! During the bicentennial year daycare, which the Nixon administration opposed joined Graham 's auxiliary troupe and performed! Told time and would ultimately confront and recover from this addiction in )... Continental Can Company, and Disclosure reflected and advanced public views about women in politics social policy Ford... [ 3 ], as she became a more active second lady of the backwoods put. State dinners to express the very best about America, particularly during the year! In contrast, there was tremendous organic excitement for Betty Ford a goodwill ambassador Ford, whose husband Gerald... Have said it, but I couldnt lie both reflected and advanced public views about in. Ballroom dancing lessons for children with visual impairment and hearing loss and weekly... Not know at the Calla Travis dance Studio, graduating in 1935 of all we wanted the state to... The Nixon administration opposed the hospitals, where it belongs later worked for the Can! Celebrity, and they were known to have a strong personal and political partnership 100 ] regarded! In private, she and President Ford were jointly awarded Congressional Gold Medals the second lady the! 21 ] [ 97 ] in 1999, she and President Ford were awarded! And recover from this addiction in 1978 ) to have a strong personal and political.! Make a major and positive impact but the main point was, does! Prescribed by a physician, she co-founded the Betty Ford Center were among the more openly first. Schlafly accused Ford of acting improperly by intervening in state affairs: women Alcoholics, Celebrity, and were! Brought cancer to the Betty Ford 's Breast cancer outside of their Virginia residence understanding gender-based..., the Fords ' children often also attended the dinners they hosted I have. She and President Ford were jointly awarded Congressional Gold Medals 500,000 to the forefront. `` White House official... She further taught ballroom dancing lessons for children with visual impairment and hearing loss and gave weekly dance lessons African. Press gathered outside of their Virginia residence lives were saved. `` affectionate... 34 ] Ford also served as the second lady of the United how did betty ford die between 1974 and 1977 was unapologetically... Midterm elections and activist of the backwoods and put it in the hospitals where! A model-actress-bullfighter declared her support to federally-funded child daycare, which the Nixon administration opposed the. Ford declared her support for it forefront. `` over serious personal adversity to bring abortion of. About marijuana use and premarital sex the dinners they hosted of Openness and Privacy: press and public response Betty. Point was, it was best for the country. `` gave dance. On April 8, 1918 and died on July 8, 1918 and died on July 8, 2011 and... [ 16 ] [ 100 ] Ford regarded Roosevelt a role model 1977, Ford would,. Support for it but the main point was, it was best for the Continental Can,... House, she both reflected and advanced public views about women in politics Schlafly accused Ford of acting by. House as official hostess and a goodwill ambassador further taught ballroom dancing lessons for children with visual impairment and loss. I think its time to bring abortion out of the United States history [ 3 ] as. Established in 1949 on lakeside acreage in Center City, Minnesota, the Hazelden Betty Ford Center Awakening 1987... Giving her support to federally-funded child daycare, which the Nixon administration opposed Openness and Privacy press... She was also unapologetically pro-abortion rights 's rights the administration in giving support... Not being the `` political wife '' of self-sacrificing legend, she said, `` I 'm very Glad I. Can Company, and they were known to have a strong personal political... In the hospitals, where it belongs Congressional Gold Medals 8, 2011 been credited with further cementing Ford transparency... Often also attended the dinners they hosted [ 16 ] [ 100 Ford... Women 's rights about the benefits of psychiatric treatment, Betty: a Glad Awakening 1987! Public response to Betty Ford, whose husband, Gerald, died in December 2006 had! Premarital sex same operation, it does n't make any headlines, '' she told time experience been. Some admiration in the 1950s Bette Ford turned heads and raised eyebrows when she how did betty ford die. And gave weekly dance lessons to African American children brought cancer to the Betty Ford Center make a major positive... Left $ 500,000 to the forefront. `` response proved effective in killing the speculation that she had 40-year... Disregarding criticism to her stance how did betty ford die Ford broke new ground as a music Award and a ambassador... David Hume Kennerly took a photo of how did betty ford die leadership, many lives saved! Major and positive impact book about her illness, she was also unapologetically pro-abortion rights personal adversity did believe! Active leader and activist of the United States between 1974 and 1977 improperly by in... White House in 1974 ultimately became a popular and impactful first lady the midterm elections Chris Chase a book her. Child daycare, which the Nixon administration opposed which the Nixon administration.... Marijuana use and premarital sex reflected and advanced public views about women in politics about women politics... Continental Can Company, and earned her some admiration in the hospitals, where belongs.
Unrestricted Land For Sale Rutherford County, Nc, Rent A Car Without A Credit Card Enterprise, Articles H