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Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Ford
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Birthdate
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04/08/1918
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Death date
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07/08/2011
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President
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Gerald Ford
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Dates of service
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08/09/1974-01/20/1977
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Relationship to president
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Spouse
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Other marriages
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N/A
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Websites
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National First Ladies Library Biography of Betty Ford
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum: Betty Ford Biography
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation: Betty Ford Biography
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Papers/letters collections
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Presidential R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum: Betty Ford White House Papers
Book: The Times of My Life
Book: Betty: A Glad Awakening
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Historical sites
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Gerald R. Ford Museum Exhibit
Betty Ford Gravesite
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Fascinating details
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- 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.
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