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On August 9, 1974, after the resignation of Richard Nixon (who was facing the prospect of likely impeachment and removal from office), Gerald Ford ascended to the position of president of the United States [12] and Betty Ford became the first lady of the United States.
- Early Life
- Work and First Marriage
- Marriage to Gerald Ford
- First Lady
- Political Will
- Struggle with Addiction
- Final Years
Elizabeth “Betty” Anne Bloomer was the third child, and only daughter, of William Bloomer, Sr. and Hortense Neahr. Elizabeth’s father worked for the Royal Rubber Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her mother was related to a wealthy Grand Rapids furniture manufacturing family. Betty’s mother thought social graces were important, so in 1926 eight-ye...
Hortense Bloomer never completely accepted her daughter’s career choice and urged Betty to come home. Finally, after realizing that she would probably not be a premier dancer, Betty returned to Grand Rapids in 1941 to work full-time at Herpolscheimer’s department store. After a series of promotions, she became a fashion coordinator for the store. S...
In August of 1947, Betty Warren met 34-year-old attorney Gerald Ford, a U.S. Navy lieutenant. Ford had returned from duty to resume his law practice, and to run for U.S. Congress. The couple dated for a year before Ford proposed in February of 1948, and the couple married two weeks before the November election. He picked this date because he was co...
On December 6, 1973, Ford was appointed Vice President under Richard Nixon, after Vice President Spiro Angew resigned. Then, on August 9, 1974, in an unprecedented move, Richard Nixon resigned from office under pressure from the Watergatescandal. Under United States law, Gerald Ford became the 38th President of the United States. Betty Ford was off...
Weeks after Betty Ford became First Lady, she was diagnosed with malignant breast cancer during a routine exam. Ford underwent a mastectomy, and her openness about her illness raised visibility for a disease that Americans had previously been reluctant to discuss. During her convalescence, she realized the influence and power being a First Lady had...
Since the early 1960s, Betty Ford had been taking opioid analgesics for pain from a pinched nerve. Her dependency on these drugs had dissipated during her time in the White House, but after leaving Washington, D.C., her drinking of alcohol increased—as did her use of prescription drugs. In 1978, the Ford family staged an intervention, and forced Be...
In 1987, Betty Ford published a book about her treatment entitled Betty: A Glad Awakening. In 2003, Ford produced another book, Healing and Hope: Six Women from the Betty Ford Center Share Their Powerful Journeys of Addiction and Recovery. In 1991, she earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George H.W. Bush; then received the Congressional Gol...
Apr 2, 2014 · Betty Ford became the First Lady when President Nixon resigned and made her Vice President husband, Gerald Ford, the acting President.
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Nov 5, 2019 · Though many took issue with her liberal, outspoken ideas, Betty skyrocketed in popularity after the interview—at many points, her approval rating outranked her husband’s, and reelection campaign buttons displayed mottos including “Betty’s Husband for President in’76” and “Keep Betty in the White House.” 13
Dec 31, 2006 · While Mrs. Ford drew hundreds of angry letters, public opinion ended up on her side, with “Betty’s Husband for President” buttons decorating the campaign trail.
Apr 21, 2022 · Things didn’t quite work out that way. And just eight months after becoming VP, Ford was sworn in as president upon Nixon’s resignation. And Betty stepped into the national arena.
Sep 13, 2018 · As President George H.W. Bush said years later when awarding her the Medal of Freedom, Ford’s “courage and candor have inspired millions of Americans to restore their health, protect their...
