Made for television, the betty ford story was first telecast on march 3, 1987. Jul 09, 2011 cnn betty ford conquered her own addiction to help save the lives of others, a legacy that her family said saturday tempered a loss that left a deep void. Betty ford, american first lady 197477the wife of gerald ford, 38th president of the united statesand founder of the betty ford center, a facility dedicated to helping people recover from drug and alcohol dependence. She was an actress and writer, known for the mary tyler moore show 1970, dynasty 1981 and the betty ford story 1987.
Her father was an industrial supply salesman and hortense was a stayathome mother. Betty ford 19182011 was an american first lady 197477 and the wife of gerald ford, the 38th president of the united states. Betty ford was an enthusiastic supporter of her husband during the 1976 presidential election campaign. President gerald fords wife, betty, brought her own stamp to the role of first lady. Betty ford was born elizabeth ann bloomer on april 8, 1918 in chicago. The family lived in chicago and denver, before settling in grand rapids, michigan, when betty was two years old.
Betty ford juvenileeducational biography first ladies. After her husbands death, betty refrained from any public appearances, but remained active as chairemeritus of the betty ford center. Boston ap its no exaggeration to say betty ford changed the national conversation about addiction. Betty ford book by lisa mccubbin, susan ford bales official. Jul 12, 2011 betty ford opened the door for so many women, myself included, encouraging us to deal honestly and openly with this disease at a time when breast cancer was swept under the rug. Historian and author carl anthony reflects on first lady betty fords place in history. She was called betty as a child hortense and william married on november 9, 1904, in chicago. After leaving the white house in 1977, ford battled alcoholism and drug dependency. And here for the next 90 minutes to tell her story, is richard norton smith, presidential historian. It is the nations largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the. First lady, womens advocate, survivor, trailblazer is the inspiring story of an ordinary midwestern girl thrust onto the world stage and into the white house under extraordinary circumstances. Betty ford 1918 2011 elizabeth anne betty bloomer was born in chicago on april 8, 1918 and raised in grand rapids, michigan. This biographical film was based on the book the times of my life written by chris chase and.
Top 28 quotes of betty ford famous quotes and sayings. American history tv visited the betty ford center and heard about the role betty ford played in the centers creation and operation, and how the former first lady used the story of her own struggle. Find out why betty ford, wife of president gerald ford, was one of the most popularand most controversialfirst ladies of all time. The history and legacy of the betty ford center 89. Jun 11, 2018 i knew the best way to tell betty fords story would be verbatim in the words of betty herself as well as in the words of people who wrote to her. She found a way to overcome addiction to pills and alcohol, and aided in the founding of the betty ford center, one of the most wellknown american rehabilitation centers. She was noted for her strong opinions on public issues and her candour. She was the third child and only daughter of hortense neahr and william stephenson bloomer. Josef sommer and nan woods costar respectively as gerald and susan ford in this sensitive but candid adaptation of betty fords autobiography the times of my life. She also was a leading advocate for breast cancer awareness. The betty ford story 1987 synopsis, characteristics.
All content is posted anonymously by employees working at hazelden betty ford. Betty ford opened the door for so many women, myself included, encouraging us to deal honestly and openly with this disease at a time when breast cancer was swept under the rug. Setting a precedent as first lady, betty ford refused to be silenced by her critics as she publicly championed equal rights for women, and. Introduction born in 1918, betty ford, the wife of the former president gerald ford and the former first lady of the united states, has a great story starting from her addiction to drugs and ending at helping others in the journey of fighting drugs. Fords open style hit the headlines again, after her husband had left office, when in 1982 she founded the betty ford centre in palm springs, california, as a clinic for people with drug and. Guests talk about the life and influence of first lady betty ford. The betty ford story is a 1987 television film directed by david greene and written by karen. As the nations leading nonprofit provider of comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment for adults and youth, the foundation has 17 locations nationwide and collaborates with an expansive network throughout health care. Following her recovery, she cofounded a drug and alcohol treatment facility in rancho mirage, california. While betty seems to ease into her prominent role in the white house and becomes a popular public figure, she must contend with breast cancer and secretly abuses both. Overview of betty ford story, the, 1987, directed by david greene, with gena rowlands, josef sommer, nan woods, at turner classic movies.
With gena rowlands, josef sommer, nan woods, concetta tomei. Lisa mccubbins insightful portrait is admiring without being fawning, candid without a whiff of tabloid salaciousness. Betty ford, who has been so outspoken in favor of the equal rights amendment and legalized abortion, is equally as forthright in her defense of a. The betty ford story gena rowlands josef sommer nan woods 1987 the first lady gena rowlands fights cancer, alcohol and prescription drugs during and after the gerald ford josef sommer presidency. Today, the betty ford center is regarded as one of the most outstanding treatment facilities in the world. Her popularity was reflected on lapel buttons that proclaimed bettys husband for president.
Josef sommer and nan woods costar respectively as gerald and susan ford in this sensitive but candid adaptation of betty ford s autobiography the times of my life. This biographical film was based on the book the times of my life written by chris chase and betty ford. The betty ford center has paved the way in outstanding treatment schedules for chemical dependence, and betty remains on the board of the center. Based on the life of the former first lady, this film depicts the ups and downs of betty ford, the wife of president gerald ford. Betty ford elizabeth ann betty bloomer warren ford birth. Ford expected that the center would be a southern california center, according to john schwarzlose, the ceo of betty ford center.
She again used her personal story to raise public awareness of addiction, and in 1982, she cofounded the betty ford center to treat victims of alcohol and chemical dependency. Betty ford was a first lady who was unafraid to speak out on the important issues of the day. She made several speaking tours throughout the east and midwest. The betty ford story 1987 based on the life of the former first lady, this film depicts the ups and downs of betty ford gena rowlands, the wife of president gerald ford josef sommer. Outgoing and warm, she became an instant hit with a public. She died on july 8, 2011 in rancho mirage, california, usa. Ford has been the recipient of many honors and awards. As her addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol begins to control her life after leaving the white house, betty ford actress gena rowlands becomes withdrawn and combative in a scene from the betty ford story, a twohour david l. Ford said that after she made the move to the white house she felt like she wasnt just the suburban housewife anymore. Cnn betty ford conquered her own addiction to help save the lives of others, a legacy that her family said saturday tempered a loss that left a deep void. To view this video download flash player videos 360 view images the betty ford story 1987 tvm. Betty ford was born on april 8, 1918 in chicago, illinois, usa as elizabeth ann bloomer.
We were visiting my son at the university of michigan and came across the gerald r. Drug and alcohol treatment centers hazelden betty ford. Jul 09, 2011 ford s open style hit the headlines again, after her husband had left office, when in 1982 she founded the betty ford centre in palm springs, california, as a clinic for people with drug and. The betty ford story is a 1987 television film directed by david greene and written by karen hall. Betty ford born 1918 was thrust into the public eye when her husband succeeded richard nixon as the 38th president of the united states. Betty playing ball at a house party for her sorority the good cheers. See the full list of cast and crew including actors, directors, producers and more. Mar 02, 1987 the betty ford story, on abc tonight at 9, is one of those suigeneris television presentations that command attention more for their subject matter than their artistic merit. Betty ford has become so closely tied with her eponymous addiction treatment center that its easy to forget that she was an extraordinary woman for many other reasons.
The betty ford story tv movie feature clip youtube. First lady, womens advocate, survivor, trailblazer is the inspiring story of an ordinary midwestern girl thrust onto the world stage and into the. Intro to the madefortv film the betty ford story starring gena rowlands on the march. Betty ford book by lisa mccubbin, susan ford bales. The betty ford story, on abc tonight at 9, is one of those suigeneris television presentations that command attention more for their subject matter than their artistic merit.
David greene, gena rowlands, josef sommer, nan woods, concetta tomei, jack radar. The betty ford story gena rowlands josef sommer nan woods 1987 the first lady gena rowlands fights cancer, alcohol and prescription drugs during and. Ford was awarded the presidential medal of freedom in 1991 and the congressional gold. Elizabeth bloomer warren ford april 8, 1918 elizabeth anne betty ford was the first daughter and youngest child of her parents, hortense neahr bloomer and william s. Gena rowlands recreates the dramatic personal victory of an american first lady when she stars in the betty ford story, a world premiere on the abc television networks the abc monday night movie, monday, march 2 911 p. Hazelden betty ford foundation audio free listening on. Betty ford was a woman who came to be admired and loved during and after the time her husband gerald ford served as the president of the united states. Betty ford biography national first ladies library. Ford worked tirelessly to raise funds and to help research and design treatments to assist men, women and families in recovery from alcoholism and other drug dependency. An advocate and an inspiration former first lady betty ford was an advocate for womens rights and an inspiration to people struggling with addiction. When gerald ford was defeated by former georgia governor jimmy carter, the. The hazelden betty ford foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs.
Bloomer, a factory parts salesman, passed away in 1934, when betty was sixteen years old. Addiction recovery apps hazelden betty ford foundation. On july 8, 2011, betty died of natural causes at eisenhower. Betty ford, nee elizabeth anne bloomer, born april 8, 1918, chicago, illinois, u. She is the third child and only daughter of hortense neahr and william stephenson bloomer. His life was filled with love of god, his family and his country. It is the nations largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the betty ford center.
Ap former first lady betty ford has died at the age of 93. Based on the life of the former first lady, this film depicts the ups. The betty ford story 1987 abc monday night movie intro youtube. Ford was born elizabeth anne bloomer in 1918 in chicago, illinois, the third child and only daughter of hortense nee neahr. Betty ford first lady of the united states britannica.
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