In The News

Former US first lady passes away

Former US first lady passes away

Betty Ford the widow of former US President Gerald Ford has passed away. She was 93.

She will be best remembered for founding the Betty Ford Center in California which helps people with addiction problems.

The inspiration to open the centre, which she reluctantly agreed to be named after her, was born out of personal experience of addiction.

Mrs. Ford had been addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs in the late 1970s and had undergone treatment. 

Her experiences led her to found the treatment centre which is credited with removing the taboo which surrounded addiction problems.

Many famous people have been among the 90 thousand patients who have been treated at the Betty Ford Center.

Mrs. Ford was always regarded as a forthright person who was never afraid to speak her mind.

During her time as First Lady [1974 to 1977] Mrs. Ford pressed for abortion rights and women’s rights and when breast cancer struck she spoke openly about her illness and the treatment she received. This was at a time when the subject of cancer would be discussed in hushed tones away from public debate. 

In 1991 Mrs. Ford was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the U.S., by President Bush Sr.

Her husband, Gerald, died in 2006 at the age of 93.

 

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