Betty Ford, RIP
posted at 10:00 pm on July 8, 2011 by Allahpundit
Was there any modern First Lady with a persona more independent of her husband’s than Betty Ford? (Except Hillary, of course.) She disagreed publicly with core planks of the Republican platform and she built her own enduring cultural legacy in the treatment of substance abuse. To many Americans, I suspect, she’s more vivid than Gerald is. Not bad for someone who spent less than two and a half years in the White House.
ABC has a nice bio. Nancy Reagan and the Bushes have already issued statements:
“I was deeply saddened this afternoon when I heard of Betty Ford’s death,” fellow first lady Nancy Reagan said. “She has been an inspiration to so many through her efforts to educate women about breast cancer and her wonderful work at the Betty Ford Center. 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.”
“Barbara and I loved Betty Ford very much,” President George H.W. Bush’s statement said. “She was a wonderful wife and mother; a great friend; and a courageous first lady. No one confronted life’s struggles with more fortitude or honesty, and as a result, we all learned from the challenges she faced. The Betty Ford Center, which already has helped change the lives of thousands of people, will be her lasting legacy of care and concern. We were proud to know her. We were proud to call her a friend. We will miss her very much.”
I didn’t realize that Gerald Ford was her second husband. Her first was an insurance salesman to whom she was married for five years; according to Wikipedia, while the couple was together in the mid-40s, she worked on a production line in a frozen-food factory in Syracuse. Thirty years later, she was First Lady of the United States.
If you’re looking for video, this brief CBS interview with Ford from five years ago touches on the highlights of her career. But for something more substantial, try Frontline’s 2009 documentary about “The Real Deal.” I’ve embedded the segment on the White House years below but, Betty Ford being Betty Ford, the pre- and post-presidential chapters are interesting too. RIP.
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Oh dear, I am overwhelmed with sadness at this news.
1976 was my first Presidential campaign; I was an aide to my state’s delegation at the RNC convention and got to meet President and Mrs. Ford then. I still have my “Betty’s Husband For President” button. It is still one of the highlights of my life.
Mrs. Ford was an incredible inspiration to a generation of young women in the Republican Party. Her courage is almost unfathomable today. She is quite literally one of the greatest women in American history.
May God have mercy on her soul.
rockmom on July 8, 2011 at 10:06 PM
A great First Lady. RIP.
Missy on July 8, 2011 at 10:10 PM
She had class.
She took personal hardships (breast cancer, chemical dependency), and turned them into opportunities to help others. (So did Reagan with his candor on having polyps removed to avoid colon cancer.)
Simply leading by example and assuming people had the intelligence to understand and to choose to help themselves.
What a change that is from the nagging nanny state we have now have.
God rest her soul, and may God’s comfort be with her family.
Wethal on July 8, 2011 at 10:11 PM
This is a sad event, the passing of a lady who stood by her husband during a difficult time to be president. Gerald Ford may not have been the most charismatic or eloquent, but they both possessed the strong, plain, American values that allowed us to get through those years.
One wonders how the world would have been had they remained in the White House another four years.
The War Planner on July 8, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Hillary was and remains of average intellect who would have accomplished nothing beyond junior partner without her husband’s name, and her blind lust for power knows no humility, shame, or threshold.
After being intervened, Betty Ford faced down her own personal demons and used her measure of influence to alter the stigma associated with substance abuse since the founding of AA. RIP.
elcapt on July 8, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Well said WP. Patriots proud of their country. Every American would love to have a mom like Betty, I know, I’ve got one.
Rovin on July 8, 2011 at 10:23 PM
May she rest in peace. Prayers to her family
red131 on July 8, 2011 at 10:28 PM
What I find interesting are the differences in the “presidential” statements. George HW Bush and Nancy Reagan’s are so genuine and Obama’s is so … wooden and standard. His has no personality to it, because of course he wouldn’t know anything about her (and he’s only 5 years younger than I am). Just goes to show that being “presidential” only takes you so far.
lizzieillinois on July 8, 2011 at 10:31 PM
God rest her soul.
Rollie on July 8, 2011 at 10:32 PM
May God welcome her home to his loving arms…
… and fill her family’s hearts with peace.
Rest in Peace Dear Betty…
Seven Percent Solution on July 8, 2011 at 10:33 PM
Wow,a wonderful Lady,prayers to her family!
canopfor on July 8, 2011 at 10:33 PM
The Fords were the first ‘first couple’ that I can remember. @6 I was just livid that the Carter’s were moving into the WH and the Fords were being forced out.
While my parents didn’t cotton to Mrs. Ford’s pro-abortion stance they considered her…and her husband both to be patriots and class-acts.
RIP Ma’am.
annoyinglittletwerp on July 8, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Evidence of a Once-Proud Civilization.
Del Dolemonte on July 8, 2011 at 10:39 PM
I remember how badly America needed a boisterous, happy family in the White House after the Watergate years. Pat Nixon was a lady of grace and class, but shy to begin with, and she had all but withdrawn from the public by the time August 1974 rolled around. At my young age, the whole thing seemed like the end of the world.
Betty Ford came in with plenty of that take-no-prisoners Michigan spirit, even after all her years in Washington. What a gal. I have always been glad the Fords were able to live long, peaceful lives after doing such remarkable service to their country. Farewell to a classy lady. RIP.
J.E. Dyer on July 8, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Rest in Peace, Mrs. Ford.
Dr. ZhivBlago on July 8, 2011 at 10:57 PM
She also brought awareness to breast cancer after surviving it herself in 1974. She was a great lady.
RIP Mrs. Ford.
Dark Star on July 8, 2011 at 11:07 PM
Wasn’t she pro-choice?
Shouldn’t that invite wishes of her burning in hell for all time by good Christians?
rickyricardo on July 8, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Thank you for this thread, Allah. Mrs. Ford is a very beloved lady here in Grand Rapids, MI. She is deeply admired, as was her husband, for her integrity and how she led her life. She was a wonderful example for all, young women, young people, as well as adults. They raised 4 wonderful kids.
She probably saved tens of thousands of lives with her breast cancer awareness and openness when she got that disease. She was very dignified as she came open with her addiction and created a new standard to treat addiction, again with courage, compassion, and dignity.
I am close to the age of her daughter, and I really admired Susan, as she grew up. I am watching an interview of Susan on the local news here from when they displayed Mrs. Ford’s First Lady wardrobe (beautiful clothes). Susan Ford is as strikingly beautiful now, in her 50’s as she was as a young woman. Lovely family.
A little over 4 years ago, on an unusually bright, sunny, 50 degree day in January, President Gerald R. Ford was laid to rest at his Presidential museum alongside the Grand River here in Grand Rapids. Now Betty will come home to rest beside him. If you ever get a chance to come to Grand Rapids, please set aside time to visit the Presidential Museum here.
This is our little claim to fame here, and we are proud to host this legacy to a man who healed our republic during a time of crisis. I truly believe he was the right man for the time. It is people like these, that really represent American exceptionalism. I am proud to be an American tonite.
karenhasfreedom on July 8, 2011 at 11:16 PM
I’ll remember Betty Ford more for what she did for those suffering with addiction than anything else. She helped shed the image that only skid row bums, etc. were susceptible to alcoholism, drugs et al. Her greatest gift was passing on the message of hope.
TxAnn56 on July 8, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Your wrong-headed insinuation of judgment makes me hope that YOU will burn in Hell for eternity, douchebag.
gryphon202 on July 8, 2011 at 11:34 PM
Condolences to her family. She helped save generations of lives by going public with her breast cancer battle, substance abuse treatment, and through the Betty Ford Center. May she find rest and peace with God.
Philly on July 8, 2011 at 11:35 PM
Wasn’t she pro-choice?
Shouldn’t that invite wishes of her burning in hell for all time by good Christians?
rickyricardo on July 8, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Go Blow.
annoyinglittletwerp on July 8, 2011 at 11:41 PM
When I was in college she came to speak there and brought her son Steven. Don’t remember after all these years (81 or 82) what she talked about. What I do remember was how dignified, poised and gracious she was. An elegant lady who was just a treasure to be around. Sadly it seams, the time for such a refined and elegant woman has all but passed from memory. Modern First Ladies, yes I’m talking about the unsophisticated loudmouthed clods that are Hillary and Michelle, could take a lesson or two from her.
Steven at the time was a minor Soap Opera Star. All the girls in the audience gushed when it came time for him to speak. He told a great story about a prank he played on the Secret Service.
Tommy_G on July 8, 2011 at 11:44 PM
Wasn’t she pro-choice?
Shouldn’t that invite wishes of her burning in hell for all time by good Christians?
rickyricardo on July 8, 2011 at 11:16 PM
Well, little ricky, I guess you are not paying attention. Good Christian or not, why would you wish burning in hell upon any decent person?
Makes you feel better about yourself eh?
Paleoconservatarian on July 8, 2011 at 11:44 PM
Safe home, Mrs. Ford.
juanito on July 8, 2011 at 11:49 PM
Wasn’t she pro-choice?
Shouldn’t that invite wishes of her burning in hell for all time by good Christians?
rickyricardo on July 8, 2011 at 11:16 PM
don’t you have any chickens to choke pendejo?
Sonosam on July 9, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord,
And let Perpetual Light shine upon her.
May her Soul
And the Souls of all the faithful departed
Through the Mercy of God
Rest in Peace.
Amen
Zorro on July 9, 2011 at 12:29 AM
RIP, Mrs. Ford.
Here’s kudos to all you out there who never had to go through rehab… I’m all for encouraging people to turn their lives around, but the really strong ones never allowed themselves to get to that point in the first place… that is, the numberless Americans who toil away in obscurity making this country work.
Yeah, she was pro-Choice, a position that sickens me. I don’t rejoice at her death, but she actively supported a position that has led to deaths of millions of innocents.
I am a Christian and I do not believe in fiery torment. As she returns to dust, I am saddened that she spent her energy, her fame, her life and her money to try and destroy Pro-Life Republicans.
mankai on July 9, 2011 at 1:23 AM
Wasn’t she pro-choice?
Shouldn’t that invite wishes of her burning in hell for all time by good Christians?
rickyricardo on July 8, 2011 at 11:16 PM
joejm65 on July 9, 2011 at 1:25 AM
Rest In Peace
Dollayo on July 9, 2011 at 1:46 AM
She was really the first First Lady who was a true woman of the people in background and comportment. Great courage and wisdom in sharing her troubles instead of trying to keep them secret (as was more often the case in her day).
RIP.
Adjoran on July 9, 2011 at 2:06 AM
RIP, Mrs. Ford.
Here’s kudos to all you out there who never had to go through rehab… I’m all for encouraging people to turn their lives around, but the really strong ones never allowed themselves to get to that point in the first place… that is, the numberless Americans who toil away in obscurity making this country work.
Yeah, she was pro-Choice, a position that sickens me. I don’t rejoice at her death, but she actively supported a position that has led to deaths of millions of innocents.
Former First Lady Betty Ford and several other Republicans announced today that they have formed a new political action committee to support GOP candidates who oppose President Bush’s anti-abortion stance.
The committee, calling itself Pro-Choice America, said it has “only one purpose–to support courageous pro-choice Republicans who face anti-choice opponents.”
Jayne Hart, a spokeswoman for the group, said the PAC will concentrate only on races in which a Republican who favor abortion rights is opposed by another Republican or a Democrat who is opposed to abortion.
I am a Christian and I do not believe in fiery torment. As she returns to dust, I am saddened that she spent her energy, her fame, her life and her money to try and destroy Pro-Life Republicans.
mankai on July 9, 2011 at 1:23 AM
I’ve been in ‘rehab’ for my bulimia 3 times…and it took me 17 years to break my diet pill addiction.
Just because someone has had to get help for an addiction doesn’t make them weak. actually-it takes a lot of courage to ask for help.
There was only one person who was perfect…and you’re not him.
annoyinglittletwerp on July 9, 2011 at 2:07 AM
WOW! A fine lady has passed away and all you can do is make snarky remarks. You are the epitome of tackiness, the model of disrespect, and I hope your mother never sees how shameful you have been tonight. You really need to do a bit of soul searching.
mizflame98 on July 9, 2011 at 2:38 AM
Betty Ford was, like her husband, a good and decent genuinely nice person whom fate pushed on the national stage.
You can tell who the youngsters are when not only do they not remember her, but they reflexively turn to Wikipedia for the skinny. Well, I guess it’s either that or gleaning what they can from “That 70’s Show” reruns…
whatcat on July 9, 2011 at 4:19 AM
The answer, ricky, is Christians don’t wish Hell on anyone. We may say stupid things like that when agitated, but that only shows we’re still encumbered by the “flesh suit.”
It’s a tragedy when He is rejected and a soul is lost. And that – rejecting Him – is the only thing which “sends one to Hell.” Not politics.
BD57 on July 9, 2011 at 6:08 AM
Your lack of class on the passing of a fine lady is exceeded only by your ignorance of the teachings of Jesus and the contents of Scripture. Perhaps you should pick up a Bible and try actually READING it. I would suggest you begin with the Gospel of John. Iy would probably help if you read it slowly, and aloud.
oldleprechaun on July 9, 2011 at 7:17 AM
A great First Lady and a great person!
Journey well, Betty Ford!
pilamaye on July 9, 2011 at 7:56 AM
No doubt, Betty Ford’s greatest legacy is the work she did to fight addiction and the center she left behind.
However, I am a daughter, raised by a widow, who fought breast cancer in the ’50’s. At the time, she wouldn’t even tell her employers what she was dealing with because she was so afraid of being fired! Cancer was as dreaded a word as AIDS became in the 80’s and 90’s.
To have a First Lady in the White House discuss breast cancer openly, at the time that my mother was dealing with a recurrence, meant more than I can put into words. Mom lost her battle before Betty left the White House, but she died without fear or shame surrounding her disease. Unfortunately, it would be much longer before treatment would start to put a dent in this disease’s death rates, but because of Betty, women began to actively seek diagnosis and treatment. She truly saved so many lives.
God bless you, Betty and may you rest in peace.
Bobbi on July 9, 2011 at 8:04 AM
Prayers ascending for family and friends…
OmahaConservative on July 9, 2011 at 8:45 AM
She appears to have a been a brave and strong American woman.
God rest her soul.
jake-the-goose on July 9, 2011 at 8:53 AM
Soft and safe be thy resting place. You’re with Gerry now. God speed.
Khun Joe on July 9, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Great work on Addictios, wonderful, respectable family.
Marijuana decriminalization fan, big supporter of the Norman Lear startup, People for the American Way, and hailed Roe v Wade in a 60 Minutes interview in 1975 as a “GREAT, GREAT DECISION”.
Imagine being that close to power and doing nothing to stop the murder of 22 million unborn little girls since 1973…….fearful to answer for that after your last breath.
PappyD61 on July 9, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Listening to her speak on the subject, it appears that she bought into the myth that “back ally” abortions were rampant. She obviously meant well, but one can question the outcome of her good intentions. It’s doubtful she had any intentions of instigating the abortion mill we’re currently afflicted with.
Her status viz-a-viz hell is between her and God, not her and Christians.
karl9000 on July 9, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Rest in Peace, Ma’am.
Gottafang on July 9, 2011 at 12:30 PM
She was wrong. But a lot of people at the time bought the lie that the unborn were just inanimate lumps of tissue before birth. Within the last 20 years, the evidence has mounted that it was just not true.
At any rate, those who honor her now remember her good points, like courage, and openness. If I were judging her on her politics alone, I wouldn’t have much use for her. But there’s more to life than politics. That’s a lesson that the left has a hard time learning.
didymus on July 9, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Doesn’t make him a hero either.
Read my post, I openly and clearly stated that I encourage people to turn their lives around… and I gave them “kudos.” Stop playing the martyr. Dropping a reference to Christ does not equate to a “get out of jail free card” for all sins. Should we open the prisons because none of us is perfect? See: red herring.
Truth is, the ones who don’t screw up never get ANY accolades.
She’s “hero” because she was an addict. The fact that she used that fame to destroy Pro-Life republicans is enough for me to remove her from any pedestal upon which others have placed her.
mankai on July 10, 2011 at 12:06 AM
For the record, like many addicts, she didn’t “ask for help”… her family had to do an intervention.
/your argument not mine
mankai on July 10, 2011 at 12:16 AM