Betty Ford Net Worth

What was Betty Ford's Net Worth?

Betty Ford was the First Lady of the United States and had a net worth of $10 million. Betty Ford was the wife of President Gerald Ford, who served in the White House from 1974 to 1977. Noted for being a highly influential and popular First Lady, Ford supported women's rights and the ERA, raised awareness of breast cancer and substance addiction through her struggles with both, and was active in the feminist movement both during and after her time in the White House.

Early Life and Education

Betty Ford was born Elizabeth Bloomer on April 8, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois, as the third child and sole daughter of William Sr. and Hortense. Her older brothers were William Jr. and Robert. The family briefly lived in Denver, Colorado, before moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Ford attended Central High School. Having taken dance lessons as a kid, Ford modeled clothes and gave children dance lessons when she was an adolescent. She graduated from the Calla Travis Dance Studio in 1935 and opened her own dance school. After graduating from high school in 1936, Ford attended the Bennington School of Dance in Vermont for two summers.

Career Beginnings and First Marriage

In 1940, Ford moved to New York City and did fashion modeling for John Robert Powers. She also joined the dance troupe of choreographer Martha Graham and performed at Carnegie Hall. Upon returning to Grand Rapids, Ford became an assistant to the fashion coordinator at the local department store Herpolsheimer's. Additionally, she resumed teaching dance to children and adults. In 1942, Ford married her first husband, William G. Warren, whom she had known since she was 12 years old. Because of his work in insurance sales, the couple moved often. They lived in such cities as Toledo, Ohio, where Ford worked as a department store model and saleswoman, and Fulton, New York, where she worked on a production line for a frozen food company. The pair eventually returned to Grand Rapids, where Ford was again employed at Herpolsheimer's. She divorced Warren in 1947.

Marriage to Gerald Ford

Just before her divorce from Warren, Ford was introduced by mutual friends to lawyer and World War II veteran Gerald Ford. They married in October of 1948 when Gerald was in the middle of his campaign for the US House of Representatives. The Fords would remain married for the next 58 years until Gerald's passing in late 2006. Together, they had four children: Michael, John, Steven, and Susan. Betty was very busy while her husband did political work; in addition to looking after the children, she posed for newspaper photographs, modeled clothing at charity fashion shows, volunteered at local organizations, and sometimes accompanied her husband on trips. Her hectic life resulted in a pinched nerve on the side of her neck in 1964, which landed her in the hospital and caused a number of physical effects. Given prescription drugs for the pain, Ford ended up becoming addicted to the medication. In 1965, she suffered a nervous breakdown and sought psychiatric help.

Second Lady of the United States

Following the resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew in October of 1973, Richard Nixon nominated Gerald Ford as the new vice president. Upon his confirmation at the end of the year, Betty became the Second Lady of the United States. She maintained a high profile in this role, which she held for nine months. During that time, Ford supported Roe v. Wade, promoted the arts, and advocated for projects helping disabled people. Notably, she broke from the Nixon administration by attending the funeral of Alberta Williams King and advocating for federally-funded child daycare.

First Lady of the United States

After Richard Nixon resigned from office in August of 1974, Gerald Ford became the new president of the United States, making Betty First Lady. She remained in that role until 1977. Betty was very popular as First Lady, holding high approval ratings and exerting a political influence that was considered unprecedented for the role. Active in social policy, she helped to raise awareness of breast cancer and passionately championed the Equal Rights Amendment. Ford established a reputation as a leader in the women's rights movement for her support of abortion rights and equal pay. She also gained publicity for commenting on many hot-button issues, including premarital sex and drug use. Ford even made a cameo appearance on the popular television sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in early 1976. She performed traditional White House duties, as well, such as hosting state dinners and accompanying her husband on diplomatic trips. Ford played a large role in her husband's 1976 election campaign, although her popularity wasn't enough to win the race. In a historic first, she delivered Gerald Ford's concession speech on his behalf due to him having lost his voice during the campaign.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Post-White House

Ford continued her work in the women's rights movement and lobbying for the ERA after she left the White House. She also raised awareness of substance addiction after she publicly acknowledged her longtime struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse. Ford was the subject of an intervention to rid her of her addictions, and after she recovered she co-founded the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California to help others with substance dependence. Additionally, Ford was involved in causes related to HIV/AIDS awareness and research as well as cancer and arthritis awareness and research. She had previously beaten breast cancer and had a mastectomy. In 1991, Ford was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George H. W. Bush, and in 1998 she shared the Congressional Gold Medal with her husband.

Death

On July 8, 2011, Ford passed away at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. She was 93 years of age. Funeral services followed in Palm Desert, with over 800 people in attendance. A second service was held at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids.

Who's Richer?

Betty
Ford

Compare!

Gerald
Ford