Betty Ford

Betty Ford
Official portrait, August 1974
First Lady of the United States
In role August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977
President	Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Pat Nixon
Succeeded by	Rosalynn Carter
Second Lady of the United States
In role December 6, 1973 – August 9, 1974
Vice President	Gerald Ford
Preceded by	Judy Agnew
Succeeded by	Happy Rockefeller
Personal details
Born	Elizabeth Anne Bloomer (1918-04-08)April 8, 1918 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	July 8, 2011(2011-07-08) (aged 93) Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.
Resting place	Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Gerald Ford (m. 1948; died 2006)
Children	Michael Jack Susan Steven
Parents	Hortense Bloomer William S. Bloomer Sr.
Education	Bennington College
Profession	socialite businesswoman women's rights activist advocate ballet dancer
Signature

Elizabeth Anne Bloomer Ford (April 8, 1918 – July 8, 2011) was the first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977 as the wife of the 38th president of the United States, Gerald Ford.^[1] Before becoming first lady, she was the second lady of the United States from 1973 to 1974 when her husband was vice president.

During her husband's presidency, she kept high approval ratings and was considered to be an influential first lady. Ford was noted for raising breast cancer awareness after her mastectomy. She was also a strong and passionate supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment.

As a supporter of abortion rights and a leader in the women's rights movement, she advocated and spoke on issues such as feminism, equal pay, sex, drugs, and abortion. Historians have ranked Ford as one of the best first ladies in American history.^[2]

1. ↑ "Elizabeth Anne Bloomer Ford". The White House. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
2. ↑ Stook, Sarah (2022-09-21). "Ranking the First Ladies". Elections Daily. Retrieved 2024-02-25.