Betty Ford Dead: A Look Back At The Former First Lady (PHOTOS)

Former First Lady Betty Ford passed away at age 93 on Friday. President Barack Obama released the following statement on behalf of himself and Michelle:

Throughout her long and active life, Elizabeth Anne Ford distinguished herself through her courage and compassion. As our nation's First Lady, she was a powerful advocate for women's health and women's rights. After leaving the White House, Mrs. Ford helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction and inspired thousands to seek much-needed treatment. While her death is a cause for sadness, we know that organizations such as the Betty Ford Center will honor her legacy by giving countless Americans a new lease on life.

Betty will be remembered perhaps not for her sartorial sense but for her in-office, leading lady style during the '70s. From her family Christmas cards and patchwork-trimmed tree to public dances with husband Gerald and stolen moments snapped by photographers, take a look back at the life and times of Betty Ford.

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• 1938

  Elizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren Ford, wife of American president Gerald Ford. Her recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction prompted her to help establish the Betty Ford Centre for other sufferers. (Photo by MPI/Getty Images)

• 1948

  Newlyweds Gerald and Betty Ford pose for a wedding photograph in Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on October 15, 1948. The former first lady Betty Ford died on Friday, July 8, 2011. She was 93. (Courtesy of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Libary/MCT via Getty Images)

• 1949

  In this Jan. 4, 1949 file picture, Rep. Gerald R. Ford, Jr. of the Fifth Michigan District, and his wife Betty Ford stand on the inaugural stands in Lansing, Mich. (AP photo)

• 1960

  Rep. Gerald Ford and wife Betty stand among campaign signs at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. (Photo by Ed Clarity/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

• 1972

  Representative Gerald R. Ford relaxes with his wife Betty Ford while deep-sea fishing during a Caribbean vacation in this undated 1972 handout photo. he former President passed away at his home in California December 26, 2006. He was 93. (Photo Courtesty of Gerald R. Ford Library via Getty Images)

• 1973

  Vice presidential nominee Gerald R. Ford poses for a family picture with his wife and children during the Christmas season in October of 1973. The children from left to right are: Jack, Susan, Steven, and Michael. (AP photo)

• 1973

  President Gerald and Betty Ford relaxing at the Mauna Kea resort, December, 1973 in Hawaii. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

• 1974

  U.S. Vice President Gerald R. Ford and wife Betty, dressed up for a costume party, pose for this 1974 photo in front of their house in Alexandria, Virginia. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

• 1974

  In this Sept. 25, 1974 black-and-white file photo, first lady Betty Ford, right, and Mrs. Giovanni Leone, wife of then-Italian President Leone, watch as their husbands review the honor guard on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP photo)

• 1974

  U.S. Chief Justice Warren Burger, right, administers the oath of office to Gerald R. Ford as the 38th President of the United States in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., Aug. 9, 1974. Betty Ford holds the Bible at center. (AP photo)

• 1974

  First Lady Betty Ford watches as her husband President Gerald R. Ford open his gift from her during the family's first visit of the presidency to their usual Christmas holiday vacation spot on December 22, 1974 in Vail, Colorado. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

• 1975

  First Lady Betty Ford, wife of Gerald R Ford, the 38th President of the United States, waves to photographers from the lawn of the White House, Washington, D.C. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

• 1975

  First Lady Betty Ford and President Gerald R. Ford stand in the Oval Office in 1975 the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/ Getty Images)

• 1975

  President Gerald R. Ford, First Lady Betty Ford and youngest child Susan Ford, take their dog Liberty on a stroll through the walkways in the woods of Camp David on August 7, 1976 in Thurmont, Maryland. The youngest of the Ford children, Susan has been the only child who has lived at the White House for any period of time. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

• 1975

  (AP photo)

• 1976

  First Lady Betty Ford offers some comment on the presidential election as she chats with newsmen at the White House, June 10, 1976. Commenting on Ronald Reagan, she said, "I don't see how he could possibly be elected." (AP photo)

• 1976

  First Lady Betty Ford gets a round of applause form the crowd and a smile from the President, Gerald Ford, as she dances at the National Symphony Ball in Washington D.C. on Dec. 4, 1976. (AP photo)

• 1976

  President Gerald Ford, right, stands with Queen Elizabeth II and first lady Betty Ford joins Prince Philip, July 10, 1976, as they go to dinner aboard the yacht Britannia. The Fords were guests of the royal family on the yacht docked at the U.S. Navy base in Newport, R.I.

• 1976

  In this Dec, 9, 1976, file photo first lady Betty Ford looks over decorations and presents under the White House Christmas Tree in Washington in the Blue Room of the presidential mansion in Washington. In 1974 Betty Ford went with a patchwork-trimmed tree, and distributed instructions so families around the country could make their own decorations. (AP photo)

• 1977

  In this Jan. 19, 1977 file picture, President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford pause for a moment as they continue packing at the White House in Washington. (AP photo)

• 1977

  In this Wednesday, Jan. 19, 1977 file photo, first lady Betty Ford pauses during her packing to look over mementos in the Ford bedroom at the White House in Washington, D.C. (AP photo)

• 1985

  Actress Elizabeth Taylor presents the "Commitment to Life" award to former First Lady Betty Ford in Los Angeles, Thursday evening, September 20, 1985, during the black tie, $250-$500-a-plate AIDS benefit, "Commitment to Life." (AP photo)

• 1997

  Former first lady Betty Ford, whose name became a synonym for dealing with addiction, places a rose plant into the garden at The Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace Monday May 12, 1997 in Yorba Linda, Calif. Ford was scheduled to give a rare public speech before a crowd of about 400. (AP photo)

• 2003

  Five former first ladies gather for a group photo at a gala 20th anniversary fundraising event saluting Betty Ford and the Betty Ford Center Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, in Indian Wells, Calif. From left are Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. President and Mrs. George W. Bush sent a videotaped tribute. Some 600 guests raised $1.6 million for financial assistance for patients who cannot afford to pay for treatment. (AP photo)

• 2006

  Former President Gerald Ford and former first lady Betty Ford smile from the front of their house as President Bush, not pictured, leaves after visiting with them at their home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Sunday, April 23, 2006. (AP photo)

Comments

[Bandit29]

10:28 AM on 07/12/2011

Mrs. Ford was a lovely, brave woman. She saved many women by her public admission of breast cancer and urging others to get examinations. She took away the stigma of addiction and offered hope. And she was always a lady.

[SonyaInTx]

06:47 PM on 07/11/2011

Betty Ford was the real deal. God bless her always....

[rowdiman]

11:56 PM on 07/10/2011

She broke down the wall of shame around addiction. So many lives and families have been saved thanks to her bravery for taking the disease on and providing a safe facility for treatment.

Her legacy will live on through us. God Bless.

[Watching rock grow]

05:56 PM on 07/10/2011

She was the only decent and real thing in Washington during that time as far as I can recall.

[orange county man]

10:49 AM on 07/10/2011

Bachmann and Palin will never have the class and grace of this smart woman. Go in peace, Betty.

[mamacat]

04:43 AM on 07/11/2011

Their names shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as Mrs. Ford.
The first is willing ignorance personified, and the second is ignorance and greed incarnate.

[fromdnorth]

10:17 AM on 07/10/2011

A great First Lady

[vobox3343]

08:04 AM on 07/10/2011

Ah, gone are the days of the compassionate Republican.

[Diana Bitritto]

08:18 PM on 07/09/2011

The Fords had class. Not at all like the Republican Party today.

[kwoodgr]

04:48 PM on 07/09/2011

A great woman! Today's Republican women can't hold a candle to her.

[greenwren]

05:10 PM on 07/09/2011

Amen to that.

And RIP, Betty. A grand old lady.

[PeaJayKay]

03:13 PM on 07/09/2011

This is *not* the facade of the Michigan State Capitol Building in Lansing. This picture looks like Washington, DC, the East Front of the US Capitol.

[JMK62]

02:36 PM on 07/09/2011

Remarkable woman!

[janie@atthelake]

02:58 PM on 07/09/2011

Yes, she was remarkable.

[LMPE]

02:09 PM on 07/09/2011

As John Nichols writes at The Nation, Betty Ford was a feminist and social liberal too.

[oscartucker]

02:15 PM on 07/10/2011

Today's GOPTP would lash out against Mrs. Ford's causes and comments.

[peegan]

01:07 PM on 07/09/2011

I wish I had known more about this lovely lady while she was alive. Everything I have read about her over the last two days tells me she was a person of intelligence, strength and character. I find myself missing a woman I am just now coming to know a little. I am sure her family and friends will miss her fiercely and I wish them peace.

[bastalready]

12:54 PM on 07/09/2011

She had the prettiest smile.

[kalico500]

12:44 PM on 07/09/2011

Betty Ford was one of the few FIRST LADIES who actually did something and wasn't arm candy for her husband. Rest in peace Mrs. Ford.