He majored in history and was . [78] In her remarks, Mrs. Cheney noted that July 14 would have been Gerald Ford's 98th birthday. Select a location. Ford has been a vegetarian since 1990, and adopted a vegan diet in 2010. [46], In Good Housekeeping's annual readers' poll of most admired women, Ford placed second in 1974[53] and first in 1975. ", United States House of Representatives elections, This page was last edited on 29 April 2023, at 18:12. Marigay McKee is driving a Ford lately Bill Ford. At the end of that call, Ford told Burkman to contact him if he ever needed anything. Ford was still married to his second wife Melissa Mathison at the time, though Mathison had filed for legal separation in 2001. [3] Ford also broke from the administration in giving her support to the prospect of federally-funded child daycare, which the Nixon administration opposed. [5] Warren was an alcoholic and diabetic, and was in poor health. At one point, they lived in Toledo, Ohio, where Elizabeth was employed at the department store Lasalle & Koch as a demonstrator, a job that entailed being a model and saleswoman. [3] Following her husband's death, Ford continued to live in Rancho Mirage. Ford was born in Detroit, Michigan, the great-grandson of Henry Ford I and great-grandson of Harvey S. Firestone. Because she suffered, there will be more healing. [21], Both Betty and Gerald Ford refused to comment on speculation that President Nixon might be forced out of office due to the Watergate scandal. [3][19] Ford took doses of this medication in excess of her prescription. Ford assisted in fundraising for the little-known Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, D.C., whose patients were predominantly African American. He left that position in order to become chair of the Board of Directors' Finance Committee in 1995. [3][105] In 1999, she and President Ford were jointly awarded Congressional Gold Medals. [119], Ford's life is the focus of the 1987 ABC biographical television film The Betty Ford Story, which has a story adapted from her memoir The Times of My Life. [19] Ford said, during her husband's failed 1976 presidential campaign, "I would give my life to have Jerry have my poll numbers. 5 February 1945), and his wife, Lynda Gundersen. [25][62] Once she became first lady, it fell to Ford to arrange this already-scheduled dinner. A Match Made In Midtown: Bill Ford's Daughter Marries Carmen Harlan's Son Tweet. Unknown to Carter at the time, this was likely due to Fords fragility caused by her prescription drug abuse. [21] That same year, her husband brought up the possibility that he might retire from congress in 1977, which would make the 1974 United States House of Representatives election the last he would run in. [3][14][17] Gerald Ford had ambitions to rise to the rank of speaker of the house, and therefore maintained a busy travel schedule, regularly crisscrossing the United States to fundraise and campaign on behalf of other Republicans in hopes that they would, in turn, provide him with the support he'd eventually need to become speaker. Afterwards, Ford stated she was impressed with the conduct of the refugees. Sorry, your email address is not recognized. [16][109] Ford left $500,000 to the Betty Ford Center. Elizabeth Anne Bloomer was born in 1918 to William Bloomer and Hortense Neahr. About a week later, when he was casually working from home, he received a phone call from Bill Ford. Ford is married to Lisa Vanderzee Ford, and they have four children. Instructions on how to reset your password have been sent to the email you entered. Bill was the manager for two Safeway . [3] Ford remarked, "I agree with the Supreme Courts ruling. During the period after the election, Ford postponed scheduled plans to give her slated successor, Rosalyn Carter, a tour of the White House. Ford also served as the second lady of the United States from 1973 to 1974 when her husband was vice president. This large number of state dinners was, in part, due to great interest from foreign dignitaries in visiting the United States for a state dinner amid the United States bicentennial celebrations. She received an award from Parsons The New School for Design in recognition of her style. Ford made campaign appearances and delivered speeches across the United States. Images, video and audio from this Web site are provided without login for the purpose of editorial use only. ", Gould, Lewis L. "Modern first ladies in historical perspective. William Clay Ford Jr. (b. [3][16] The speech was delivered on the day after the election. This took him to the home of Bill Ford, whose wife was Cummins' sister. In 2005, Ford relinquished her chair of the center's board of directors to her daughter Susan. [3], During the campaign, many Ford supporters wore campaign buttons with phrases like "Betty's Husband for President in '76" and "Keep Betty in the White House". [7], Ford supported numerous charities as first lady. [3] It was never confirmed whether his death had been accidental or a suicide. The couple moved frequently because of his work. [clarification needed] Ford co-founded the firm with Ralph Booth (Chairman and CEO of Booth American Company and a media and telecom investor), Mark Schulz (former head of Ford Motor Company's international operations), Chris Cheever, and Chris Thomas.[18]. [3], During her and President Ford's later years together, they resided in Rancho Mirage and in Beaver Creek, Colorado. [3][24] Ford was the only individual in attendance at the funeral not directly ingrained in the civil rights movement, with the exception of Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter. [7] He then attended Princeton University and graduated with an A.B. William was Henry Ford's last surviving grandchild. His wife, Aleea, passed away at age 29, within a few weeks of being diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. Ford had believed it to be of great importance for the administration to show an expression of direct concern pertaining to the assassination, while Nixon's staff disagreed with her. He was made chairman of the firm in 2021. [3][5], In August 1947, she was introduced by mutual friends to Gerald Ford, a lawyer and World War II veteran who had just resumed his legal practice after returning from Navy service, and was planning to run for the United States House of Representatives. The first instance of a first lady conducting one had been Eleanor Roosevelt in 1942. Her philanthropic support additionally placed a specific focus on charities serving children with special needs. [40] In 1977, the World Almanac included Ford in its ranking of the 25 most-influential American women. In addition, she was a passionate supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Not only were my boss and manager incredibly understanding, but when they heard about my wife needing a wig made with her own hair during chemotherapy, they got enough people together to cover the cost.. [115] In both the 1993 and 2003 Siena Research Institute surveys, Ford was similarly ranked the 5th-highest in historians' assessment of first ladies' courage. [103], In the early 1990s, Ford voiced admiration for First Lady Hillary Clinton and praised her for taking an active role in policy within her husband's administration by leading the Clinton health care plan[100], In 1987, Ford was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. Ford also served as the second lady of the United States from 1973 to 1974 when her husband was vice . He was elected chairman of the board in September 1998 and took office on January 1, 1999. I embrace it, not only for me, but all the many others who are here to participate." He later worked for the Continental Can Company, and after that for the Widdicomb Furniture Company. In April 1974, she made her first official solo trip as second lady when she spent two-days visiting the states of Georgia and Tennessee to help in publicizing the "ARTRAIN", which was a traveling exhibit of art, visual displays, and performance pieces housed in six railway cars, and which was to travel through small towns across the southern United States. [17] In January 2010, he announced the launch of a strategic investment firm, Fontinalis Partners, with the purpose of investing in innovative companies developing next-generation mobility solutions. [7][36] While President Ford never attempted to silence his wife, some of his senior staff resented her independent candor. Dual fuel vehicles generally have two fuel tanks one for compressed natural gas or propane, and another for regular gasoline with a selector switch to choose between them. A Ford worker called Wesley Burkman lost his wife in 2017; she passed away after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Their divorce was later finalized in 2004. Ford has three sisters: Martha Morse (who has 3 children), Sheila Hamp (who has 3 children), and Elizabeth Kontulis. [41], The Fords were among the more openly affectionate first couples in United States history. The companys Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. [96] In November 1981, Ford stated that Governor of Illinois James R. Thompson had not done enough in support of the ERA as well as her disappointment with First Lady Nancy Reagan not being in favor of the measure, though also relayed her hopes to change the incumbent First Lady's mind in further encounters with her. [6], Ford joined General Atlantic in 1991, having previously worked at Morgan Stanley & Co. as an investment banker. "[28] Ford ultimately became a popular and impactful first lady. Photos of this moment were published widely in the American press, resulting in Betty Ford somewhat upstaging President Ford in the press. Ive always believed that asking someone to marry you is too important to waste over dinner and a movie he said. [3], As she had previously been with her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, Ford was transparent with the public about her addictions and admittance to rehab. [8][63] She found out of this upcoming dinner and her responsibility for planning it through a phone call she received within 24-hours after her husband's swearing-in as president. [7] Weeks later, when the Fords moved from their Virginia residence into the White House[3] their king size bed was photographed being moved into the White House, which prompted Betty to quip that they had been outed for breaking the tradition of first couples keeping separate bedrooms in the White House. On June 4, Ms. Fox and Mr. Ford were married by the Rev. [3] The broadcast of the interview saw strong interest from the public. Ford was observed audibly telling her husband "I love you" following a kiss they shared right after he was sworn in as president. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. He and his wife, Martha, reared four children, the third of whom, Bill, is now CEO of the company. Ford gave up an executive position in heavy truck program management to become chairman of the finance committee on the board of directors, a non-executive corporate governance position. Bill Ford . [87], In 1982, after recovering from her own addictions, Ford established the Betty Ford Center (initially called the Betty Ford Clinic) in Rancho Mirage, California, for the treatment of chemical dependency,[88] including treating the children of alcoholics. Weeks after Ford became first lady, she underwent a mastectomy for breast cancer on September 28, 1974, after having been diagnosed with the disease. After this, Betty Ford was transparent with the news media that she had received psychiatric care. $1 Million - $5 Million. Ford took these stances despite recognizing that they created a political risk of conservative backlash against her husband. You must contactmedia@ford.comto obtain approval for advertising, marketing or other commercial users. Bill Ford with the mail in 2008. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [7][30] Ford regarded Roosevelt a role model. After being accepted by Graham as a student in 1940, Bloomer moved to New York to live in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood; she worked as a fashion model for the John Robert Powers firm in order to finance her dance studies. With a grand piano-serenaded dinner and the stations grand lobby as his backdrop, he proposed to his girlfriend on October 5. Ford had weekly meetings with a psychiatrist approximately between August 1965 and April 1967. [61], As First Lady, Ford was an advocate of the arts. . [3] President Ford died, aged 93, of heart failure on December 26, 2006, at their Rancho Mirage home. LOGIN OR Childhood & Early Life. [19] Ford had, particularly, become addicted to prescription medication (opioid analgesics) that she had been originally prescribed in the early 1960s to treat a pinched nerve. Phyllis Schlafly accused Ford of acting improperly by intervening in state affairs. Bush. [33], Ford was also unapologetically pro-abortion rights. [32], Repeatedly speaking out on women's issues, Ford was a leader in the changing status of women in American society. In the first of adjustments for politics, he had asked her to delay the wedding until shortly before the primary election because, as The New York Times reported, "Jerry was running for Congress and wasn't sure how voters might feel about his marrying a divorced ex-dancer. As was the case during Gerald Ford's vice presidential swearing-in, Betty Ford held the Bible upon which he placed his hand while taking his oath of office. 1976, during the presidential transition, Ford and others applaud in the gallery during the 1977 State of the Union Address on January 19, 1977, the Fords final full-day in the White House, The incoming and outgoing first and second couples pose for a photograph at the White House on the day of the inauguration of Jimmy Carter. [3] After the interview aired, a number of Ford's remarks in this interview on hot-button issues generated particularly immense media attention. Bill Ford Wife. [3], In November 1975, it was reported by the Associated Press that Ford's husband's advisors, who had previously worried her outspoken comments would hurt him in the 1976 presidential election, were now recognizing her popularity and desiring for her to have a greater role in the campaign. When Ford attempted to postpone the plans a second time, President-elect Carter called the White House and threatened to make a fuss in the news if the tour was not held as planned. In 2003, Ford produced another book, Healing and Hope: Six Women from the Betty Ford Center Share Their Powerful Journeys of Addiction and Recovery. Her role as a public health advocate distinguishes her as one of the most influential women of the latter part of the twentieth century.[113]. Surveys of historians conducted by the Siena College Research Institute have shown that historians regard Ford to be among the best and most courageous American first ladies. [19], During a January 1984 address in Michigan to a crowd of individuals who were in the early stages of alcohol and drug dependency treatment, Ford declared that the six years since she began her treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, "have been the best years in my life from the standpoint of feeling healthier and feeling more comfortable with myself". [95] In 1978, the deadline for ratification of the ERA was extended from 1979 to 1982, resulting largely from a march of a hundred thousand people on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. Thats the way I feel. She also organized her own dance group and taught dance at various sites in Grand Rapids, including the Calla Travis Dance Studio. Ford has consistently ranked among the top-nine most highly assessed first ladies in these surveys. "And if they'd asked me that I would have told them," she said, adding that her response would be, "As often as possible. She joined Graham's auxiliary troupe and eventually performed with the company at Carnegie Hall in New York City. [7] Early into her time in the White House, during a televised tour of the White House she once again noted that she and her husband shared the same bed. [94], Ford continued to advocate for the ratification of the ERA. Ford reads her husband's 1976 presidential concession speech to the press. [54], Ford successfully lobbied her husband to, in 1975, sign an executive order to establish the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year. [68], During the Fords' 1976 trip to mainland China, when being shown an exhibition by a Chinese arts college dance group, Ford decided to join the dancers. In November 1977, Ford and First Lady Rosalynn Carter joined together to advocate for its ratification at the National Women's Conference in Houston. [3][19] Ford also posed for newspaper publicity photographs and was a clothing model for charity fashion shows, after a Republican had urged her to do so since they felt that Democratic Party spouses had far outnumbered Republican spouses in such publicity-generating activity. She worked with children with disabilities at the Mary Free Bed Home for Crippled Children. [19], In 1977, the Fords moved to Rancho Mirage, California. Every detail was meticulously planned by Burkman and seven of his friends, six of them coworkers at Ford. [25][26] The dinner was held in the John Quincy Adam's Drawing Room, one of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the United States Department of State headquarters at the Harry S Truman Building. Download size exceeds 350 MB. This dinner was part of the American bicentennial celebrations, and was held in tent on the South Lawn of the White House. His father was William Clay Ford Sr. and his mother is Martha Firestone. He studied at the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut and then studied at Princeton University in 1979. In an effort to get information on Cummins' location, Jesse roughed-up Samuel Ford, 15-year-old first cousin of Bob and Charlie. In another instance, she commented, "it's just impossible for me to lie and look someone in the eyes and talk to them. [1][failed verification][non-primary source needed] During his tenure as CEO, the firm has also continued its global expansion by opening new offices in Jakarta, Singapore, Beijing, Mexico City, and Shanghai. This is the only time that a major United States presidential candidate's spouse has delivered their concession on their behalf. After recovering, she founded and served as the first chair of the board of directors of the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction. [22] Two days later, on October 12, 1973, President Richard Nixon nominated Gerald Ford to serve as vice president. He joined the company in 2006 . "[23], The media "broke" the story that Ford had a previous marriage and had been divorced, initially reporting it as a secret revelation. As a supporter of abortion rights and a leader in the women's rights movement, she gained fame as one of the most candid first ladies in history, commenting on the hot-button issues of the time, such as feminism, equal pay, the Equal Rights Amendment, sex, drugs, abortion, and gun control. [20] Such talk was due to Gerald Ford, following the Republican Party's failure to win a majority in the 1972 United States House of Representatives elections, seeing it as unlikely that he would ever fulfill his ambition of becoming speaker of the House. "Ford. I feel like Ive been the beneficiary of so much of his care and support.. [116][117] In the 2014 Siena Research Institute survey, historians ranked Ford 3rd-highest among 20th and 21st century First Ladies in the greatness of post-White House service, 3rd-highest in advancement of women's issues, and 4th-highest in creating a lasting legacy. Ford was committed to sell 250,000 alternative and flexible fuel vehicles the majority of which would be designed to operate on ethanol-gasoline blends such as E85 in 2006. On September 5, 2006, Ford announced that he was stepping down as president and CEO, naming former Boeing senior executive Alan Mulally as his replacement. "[8] While a student at Princeton, Ford was president of the Ivy Club and played on the Princeton rugby team. [3] Ford also volunteered for local charitable organizations, including serving as the program director of the Alexandria Cancer Fund Drive. In 1965, Ford suffered a significant nervous breakdown, erupting in severe crying that had appeared inexplicable to others. The week she entered rehab, Ford disclosed her addiction to prescription medication. [33] On June 30, 1976, Ford attended the opening of "Remember the Ladies", a Revolutionary War-era women's exhibit. Net Worth in 2021. [6][failed verification], Ford serves as Chair of Rockefeller University and serves on the board of trustees of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Content tailored to your personal preferences, Favorite content saved within your briefcase, Media advisories, newsletters, and email alerts and PR contact information. Ford was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George H. W. Bush in 1991. Betty Ford is awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President George H. W. Bush, 1991. [3] Ford also held active membership in groups such as the 81st Congress Club and National Federation of Republican Women. He is the Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic, a global growth equity firm with $84 billion in assets under management as of November, 2021. [12] He has been a director of prior General Atlantic portfolio companies including Tory Burch, First Republic Bank, NYSE Euronext, E*Trade, Priceline, and NYMEX. [106] That same year, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to her and her husband. He served several years as a mid-ranking executive in product development. He considered the Michigan Theater, but the iconic train station was his ultimate location. He also briefly headed the Climate Control Division (since divested from the company as part of the Visteon spinoff). [24] The Carters would, ultimately be the Fords successors as president and first lady after Carter defeated Ford in the 1976 United States presidential election. [3], Ford filmed an interview with the television news program 60 Minutes which was broadcast on August 10, 1975. I asked and it happened and it was awesome. Net Worth in 2022. William E. Ford (born June 18, 1961) is an American businessman. William E. Ford's income source is mostly from being a successful . This was formally presented to her by President Ford, who was an Academy Awards Council member. ", Gregory Knight, Myra. We have estimated William E. Ford's net worth , money, salary, income, and assets. [75][76] The photo was subsequently published and is regarded as an "iconic" photograph of Ford's time as First Lady. Shortly after they married, he began to sell insurance for another company. [65][66], Of the state dinners she planned, Ford said, "From the beginning, Jerry and I tried to make the White House a place where people could have fun and enjoy themselves. Bill Ford is General Atlantic's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, with three decades of experience investing in and helping build leading growth companies. Enter your email below and we'll send a link to help you access your account. She also, ultimately agreed to attend rehab at the Naval Regional Medical Center in Long Beach, California. [19] In her 1987 memoir she reflected on these addictions, writing, "I liked alcohol, it made me feel warm. ", McClellan, Michelle L. "Fame through Shame: Women Alcoholics, Celebrity, and Disclosure. REGISTER HERE. She was also involved in her husband's political career by fulfilling the commitments expected of congressional spouses to help elevate her husband's regard among his House colleagues. Pending. American media personality Bill Melugin works for Fox News.He is the 2018 and 2019 recipient of the RTNA's Golden Mike Award for "Best Investigative Journalism" including the 2019 Television Academy Emmy for investigative reporting.. Bill Melugin Bio & Family; Birthday, Education, Wiki. Ford has also appeared on CNBC with David Faber. Elizabeth Anne Ford (ne Bloomer; formerly Warren; April 8, 1918 - July 8, 2011) was the first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, as the wife of President Gerald Ford.As first lady, she was active in social policy and set a precedent as a politically active presidential spouse. Warters, T. Alissa. [3][12] With her husband assuming the office of vice president, Ford became the second lady of the United States. Ford also enjoyed the traditional role as hostess of the White House and on a daily basis spent most of her energy on the family, health, and filling in for her husband on the hustings. Bill joined General Atlantic in 1991 and became CEO in 2007. [2][non-primary source needed][3][non-primary source needed] Additionally, General Atlantic has expanded its sector coverage through the launch of the global Consumer sector team as well as the expansion of the Healthcare sector to include Life Sciences. [60] The spike in women self-examining after Ford went public with the diagnosis led to an increase in reported cases of breast cancer, a phenomenon known as the "Betty Ford blip". He was looking for a grandiose location to give the occasion a unique, gritty Detroit feel. [100], In 1985, Ford received the Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged, an annual award given by the Jefferson Awards. His answer: Sometimes you have to imagine what hasnt happened yet. Days later, Ford also disclosed to the public that she had come to realize that she was additionally an alcoholic.