Betty Ford

First Lady

Birthday April 8, 1918

Birth Sign Aries

Birthplace Chicago, IL

DEATH DATE Jul 8, 2011 (93)

#39526 Most Popular

About

President Gerald Ford's wife who was the First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. She was known for her candidness and for founding the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction. She ranked 1st two different years in Gallup's annual poll of "Most Admired Women."

Before Fame

She modeled, taught dance lessons, and worked with children in the aftermath of the stock market crash of 1929.

Trivia

She founded the Betty Ford Center in 1982 after she had a successful recovery from alcohol abuse in the late 70s.

Family Life

She was married twice; her first marriage was to an insurance salesman and childhood friend, William C. Warren.

Associated With

After her husband's defeat by Jimmy Carter in the 1976 Presidential election, she delivered a concession speech because Gerald Ford had lost his voice while campaigning.