First Ladies | Betty Ford | 4
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Wondery Plus subscribers can binge new seasons of American History Tellers early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Imagine it's just after 10 p.m. on October 10th, 1973. You're at home in Alexandria, Virginia, sipping a glass of wine and reading the newspapers spread across the dining room table.

We've been keeping tabs on the latest out of Washington, and there's been a lot lately, from the Watergate scandal, to the war in Vietnam, to the bribery charges hanging over Vice President Spiro Agnew. The news has been so depressing. I'm glad your husband has agreed to retire from Congress in three years at the end of President Richard Nixon's second term, because it's time both of you got out of D.C. Suddenly, your husband comes rushing into the dining room. Honey, we need to talk.

Your husband is a World War II veteran, and he's served many years in Congress. It takes a lot to rattle him, but right now he looks pale and downright shocked. Jerry, what the heck is going on? Maybe you should sit down first. I am sitting. Talk. Okay, well, Spiro Agnew just resigned. Effective immediately. I heard that on the radio.

What's that got to do with you? Nixon is going to need a new VP, and apparently I'm one of the candidates being considered. For vice president? You try to absorb the shock of what you've just heard. You're a congressman, a legislator. Jerry, you like to get things done. Do you really think you'd be happy as vice president? Especially given everything that's going on lately.

You wave your hands over the pile of newspapers in front of you, many of them featuring headlines about the Nixon administration and all its assorted problems. I know, I know. We both know that Vice President is mostly a ceremonial role. And I could be walking into quicksand. And what about the kids?

Just yesterday, Susan asked me if the president would choose you to replace Agnew. And I told her, no way. They're looking at plenty of other candidates. For now, they just want to know if I was asked, would I say yes? I think it's still a pretty big if. When do you think the president will make his decision? Nixon plans to announce his pick two days from now. What should I do?

You know what he's asking. It's been a rough few years, and you've both been looking forward to retirement. This would obviously throw a wrench into those plans. What about retiring in three years, Jerry? You promised me. I know I did, but this would be such an honor, and a wonderful cap to my career. And even if Nixon chose me, I'd only serve until the end of his term. Three years from now, we could retire just like we planned. Oh, Jerry...

But I'd only say yes to Nixon if you were on board. You peer at your husband's face. It's clear he's thrilled at the idea of becoming vice president. But the country is in such a perilous moment. If he's offered the position and accepts, your family will be in the national spotlight, and it could be a big risk for all of you.

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From Wondery, I'm Lindsey Graham, and this is American History Tellers. Our history, your story. American History Tellers

In 1973, Betty Ford was thrust onto the world stage when her husband, Gerald Ford, accepted President Richard Nixon's offer of the vice presidency. Betty had supported her husband during his 24 years in Congress, but this decision to become Nixon's vice president changed everything, because Nixon himself resigned 10 months later, which elevated Ford to the presidency.

For Betty, the sudden ascent from Congressional Housewife to First Lady was an unexpected turn of events and came at a time of great turmoil in America.

Despite her reluctance to step into the role, as First Lady, Betty Ford became known for her frank and candid approach and for her activism. She broke taboos around discussing women's health by raising awareness of breast cancer after undergoing a mastectomy herself. Ford was also a staunch supporter of women's rights, openly discussing controversial topics like feminism, sexuality, drug use, and abortion, which often put her at odds with her husband's policies.

And even after Gerald Ford lost his re-election bid in 1976, Betty Ford continued her activism, focusing on addiction awareness and treatment. She publicly shared her struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse and then founded the Betty Ford Center to provide treatment for those facing similar challenges. Betty Ford brought a refreshing openness and strength to her brief time as First Lady, and her willingness to share painful and private details of her life became an inspiration to millions.

In this series, we'll explore the groundbreaking achievements of five of America's most remarkable First Ladies, from their origins to the moment they courageously stepped into the role and beyond. If you'd like to learn more about other notable First Ladies, you can read about them in a new book inspired by American history tellers,

The Hidden History of the White House takes readers inside the iconic seat of American presidential power and reveals 15 behind-the-scenes moments that changed the course of history, like First Lady Dolly Madison's efforts to save priceless American artifacts as the British burned down the White House in 1814, or Edith Wilson's decision to keep her husband Woodrow's stroke a secret and assume his presidential duties. The Hidden History of the White House is available now from William Morrow, wherever you get your books.

Follow the link in the show notes to learn more. This is Episode 4 of our five-part series on First Ladies. Betty Ford Elizabeth Ann Bloomer was born on April 8, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois. Her father, William, was a traveling salesman who sold conveyor belts to factories for the Royal Rubber Company. Her mother, Hortense, managed the family, which included two older brothers, Bill and Bob.

Two years after she was born, in the winter of 1920, Elizabeth moved with her family to Grand Rapids, Michigan. That's where Elizabeth, known from a young age as Betty, would grow up in an affluent neighborhood originally settled by Dutch immigrants.

At age eight, Betty began studying dance at the Miss Calla Travis School of Dancing, just blocks from her house. Betty would later say, dance was my happiness, and that she had been born to dance. And after school, she would rush to the dance studio every day, and by 14, she was an instructor there. She studied and taught at the studio through high school, and sometimes worked as a model at Herpel Scheimer's department store.

But then, one afternoon in the summer of 1934, when Betty was 16, her father was found dead in the family car in their garage. His death was ruled accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, but William had been drinking heavily after losing his job and a fair amount of money in the 1929 stock market crash. Betty would later come to believe that her father had killed himself.

A few years after this, Betty left home to study dance at Bennington College School of Dance in Vermont. There, she met two influential mentors, Martha Hill and Martha Graham, founder of the famous contemporary dance troupe who invited Betty to attend her Martha Graham School in New York.

By 1940, Betty had become a member of Graham's auxiliary dance group and once performed with the ensemble at Carnegie Hall. But a year later, her mother announced she was remarrying and asked Betty to come home to Grand Rapids. Betty agreed, expecting the stay to be brief, but she soon reconnected with an insurance salesman named Bill Warren, who she'd known in high school. She remembered he was a good dancer, though she also remembered slapping him when he left her during a high school dance to drink beer with friends.

Nevertheless, the two began dating and were married in 1942. But Betty soon discovered that her husband, like her father and one of her brothers, was an alcoholic. He bounced from job to job, and the couple moved to Ohio and New York and then back to Grand Rapids. After three years of marriage, she asked for a divorce. To support herself, Betty worked as a fashion coordinator for Herpel Scheimer's department store. And she formed her own dance troupe in Grand Rapids and taught dance to children with disabilities.

Then in September of 1947, while her divorce was being finalized, she met a handsome young lawyer named Gerald Ford. Ford was a World War II Navy veteran, ex-football star, and five years her senior. He found her beautiful, funny, adventurous, and not afraid to speak her mind. In early 1948, after six months of dating, Gerald proposed. As they planned for their wedding in October, Gerald told her he'd been keeping a secret from her. He was planning to run for Congress.

Imagine it's September 13th, 1948. You're a realtor in your hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and you've been helping your college buddy Jerry Ford run for Congress as a representative for Michigan's 5th District. Tomorrow is the Republican primary, and tonight, you're driving back to campaign headquarters. Beside you sits Jerry's fiancée, Betty.

You've known Betty since high school, but never pictured her as a politician's wife. Can't help wondering if she's ready to give up her own ambitions and her dancing career to support her husband and move to Washington if he wins. Then again, she does seem to have a knack for politics. You've been a big help to Jerry's campaign, Betty. Honestly, at first I didn't think he had a chance. He didn't. We all expected him to get wiped out.

But he's been campaigning non-stop, every wake an hour. He took to campaigning like a starving man to a roast beef dinner. Well, so did you, Betty. You're a natural. I've tried to be supportive. And I've liked the challenge. Recruiting your girlfriends from the dance school and the modeling agency to make phone calls and stuff envelopes was brilliant. Maybe so. But if he loses, I'm afraid it may be my fault. What are you talking about?

Because of my divorce. What if the conservative voters of the 5th District take issue with him marrying a divorced dancer and model? Honestly, that is why he wanted to schedule your wedding after the primaries. But look, it won't hold him back. He has a chance to win, and you two will make a great team in Washington. Maybe that's what I'm really worried about. Washington.

I thought I was marrying a Grand Rapids lawyer. That we'd buy a house and raise a family right here in our hometown. I didn't sign up for a life in Washington. You pull up outside campaign headquarters, located inside a parking lot of a department store. You open the car to get out, but Betty stays put. Betty, what's wrong? What do you think about Jerry and me? I mean, really? Honestly, Betty, if you can live with the fact that politics will always come first for Jerry...

Then you two should be very happy. Just know that his marriage will come second. You can tell she's absorbing your words. Then you see a calm look come over her face, and she smiles at you. If politics makes him happy, I'll support him every step of the way. Well, that's good. And hey, unlike some politicians, at least you won't have to worry about Jerry and other women. All that guy cares about is you and politics.

Betty gets out of the car, and you both head toward campaign headquarters. You've already planned a victory party at your house for tomorrow night after primary results are in, and you're confident Jerry will be the winner. You just hope Betty will be happy about it. On September 14, 1948, Gerald Ford won the Republican primary for his Michigan district, all but guaranteeing he'd be elected in the regular election since the 5th district was strongly Republican and hadn't elected a Democrat for decades.

Then, a month after the primary, he and Betty were married. The day of their wedding, Gerald had been campaigning and came rushing into Grace Episcopal Church just in time for the four o'clock ceremony, his shoes still covered in mud. Two weeks later, Gerald was elected to the House of Representatives, winning 61% of the vote. And Betty accepted that marrying a congressman meant she'd have to live much of the year in Washington.

A few weeks after the election, Betty's mother died following an illness while vacationing with her second husband in Florida. She was 64. But Betty had little time to grieve. She and Gerald moved east, eventually settling in the suburb of Alexandria, Virginia, where they built a home and started their family. Betty set aside her own dreams and settled into her role as a politician's wife.

She adapted to life in the Capitol, befriending her husband's colleagues on both sides of the aisle and their spouses, including Hubert Humphrey's wife Muriel, Eugene McCarthy's wife Abigail, Richard Nixon's wife Pat, and Lyndon Johnson's wife Lady Bird. She also met First Lady Bess Truman, who invited congressional wives to the White House for tea.

During Gerald's first few terms in Congress, as he rose through the ranks and scored a membership on the Defense Appropriations Committee, the Fords split their time between Michigan and D.C. Betty kept busy with their children. Her first son, Michael, was born in 1950, followed by John two years later, then Stephen in 1956. After three boys, they finally had a girl, Susan, in 1957. The Fords hired a housekeeper, Clara Powell, who had worked for them for the next 20 years and became an extended family member.

Betty later said Clara was like an angel that came into our lives, and Gerald said he couldn't have stayed in politics without her help.

Betty also became active in the Congressional Club, an exclusive club for the spouses of congressmen as well as Supreme Court justices and cabinet members. But she struggled to find her own identity. Before marriage, she had been a dancer and a model, an independent woman who managed her own dance studio. Now she felt like her husband's sidekick. So once her children were old enough, Betty began taking constituents from Michigan on tours around D.C., which she enjoyed.

She also was able to attend social events at night, including elegant parties at the White House after John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960. Betty admired the style and sophistication that Jacqueline Kennedy brought to the role of First Lady. But even with the occasional glamorous night out, home life for Betty was often a chaotic blur of carpools, PTA meetings, homework, and laundry. Gerald's extended travels put a strain on their relationship, too. So even with Clara Powell's help, Betty often felt overwhelmed.

She later admitted that she turned to drinking to help her cope. She'd have a cocktail every night at five, and then another while making dinner, a glass of wine with her meal, then a nightcap after the kids went to bed.

After JFK was killed in Dallas on November 22, 1963, Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren organized an investigative committee that became known as the Warren Commission. Gerald Ford was invited to serve as one of the seven members. Ford would always insist that Lee Harvey Oswald killed Kennedy, despite the many conspiracies that would later swirl around the assassination.

In November of 1964, three years after Kennedy's murder, Betty woke in the middle of the night with a stabbing pain in her neck, back, and arm. The next day, Gerald drove her to the hospital, and doctors diagnosed a pinched nerve in her neck. Surgery wasn't an option, so Betty spent two weeks in the hospital receiving treatment, but the pain continued. Doctors prescribed heavy pain medication and advised her to take the pills every four hours.

But while Betty struggled with her health, Gerald's political career accelerated. He was elected House Minority Leader in early 1965 and began traveling even more. As Betty put it, the Congress got a new Minority Leader and I lost a husband. For Betty, Gerald's absences and her lingering health problems, which now included arthritis, led to episodes of depression. She started seeing a psychiatrist, which helped, but

But her drinking continued, and she kept taking Valium and other pills for pain and anxiety and to help with sleep. Three years later, in 1968, Richard Nixon announced a run for president and asked Gerald to be his running mate. Gerald declined, hoping to instead become Speaker of the House. So Nixon instead chose Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew. In 1972, soon after Nixon won re-election to a second term, Betty and Gerald began discussing retirement.

By then, Gerald had spent 24 years in Congress. He planned to run once more in 1974, then retire two years later at the end of Nixon's second term so he could continue to support Nixon's agenda in Congress. After so many years as a congressman's wife, living inside the D.C. bubble, Betty was looking forward to a quieter life. But then, on June 17th, five men were caught breaking into the Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate Complex in Washington, D.C.,

Soon, the Washington Post uncovered that the robbers were connected with the Nixon administration, and the controversy spiraled out of control. A year later, in October of 1973, Spiro Agnew resigned as vice president. Pressure had been mounting against Agnew for bribery charges from his time as Maryland's governor. And at 10 o'clock on the night of Agnew's resignation, the phone rang at the Fords' home in Alexandria. It was the White House. President Nixon wanted Gerald to step in as vice president.

Betty was shocked. She had been looking forward to a life far from Washington, but this would dramatically upend those plans. The couple discussed their options well into the night, and their decision would draw them into the political turmoil of the Nixon administration and change their lives forever.

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In the fall of 1973, the Watergate crisis continued to escalate, threatening Richard Nixon's presidency. Earlier that year, two Nixon aides had been convicted of conspiracy, burglary, and wiretapping. Top White House staffers had resigned, and Nixon had fired his chief counsel. When Nixon's camp called forward to say they were considering offering him the vice presidency, Betty was skeptical. She wasn't thrilled at the idea of her husband wading into that mess, but she could tell Gerald wanted the job.

though she felt confident that Nixon wouldn't ultimately choose him as he was more valuable as minority leader in the House. But two days later, on October 12, 1973, Nixon called the Ford home and offered Gerald the VP job. Gerald accepted, and despite their shock, he and Betty raced to the White House for the announcement. Gerald was confirmed by Congress later that year and tried to assure his wife, Vice Presidents don't do anything. Everything's going to be fine.

Suddenly thrust into the role of Second Lady, Betty was immediately expected to take a more public position than she had as a congressional wife. In January of 1974, she appeared on the Today Show and was asked by Barbara Walters what she thought of the previous year's Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade, a decision that protected women's rights to an abortion. Betty said she agreed with the Supreme Court, saying, "...I think it's time to bring abortion out of the backwoods and put it in the hospitals."

This response was shocking to many, as House Minority Leader Gerald Ford had opposed Roe v. Wade, and Betty's support for abortion rights prompted a backlash from pro-life voters and Republicans.

But this same interview established Betty's reputation for candor and a willingness to break from her husband. She also demonstrated her skill with the media. Months later, the White House learned that the National Enquirer was planning to write about Betty's divorce from her first husband back in 1947. So Betty met with a reporter from Time magazine to get ahead of the story. Yes, she acknowledged, she had been married before, but it was hardly a secret. It's just that no one in the press had ever asked.

Her proactive approach killed any speculation of a cover-up and earned her admiration from the media. Meanwhile, the Watergate investigation kept closing in on Nixon. Betty and Gerald publicly defended Nixon despite the mounting evidence against him. During a joint interview on The Dick Cavett Show, they both insisted Nixon had done nothing wrong.

But then, on August 7, 1974, Nixon's chief of staff, Alexander Haig, told Ford that Nixon was planning to resign. Haig expressed his hope that Ford would pardon Nixon after he became president. Ford was crushed to learn the depth of Nixon's lies, but he knew it was his duty to step into the role of Nixon's successor. He told Haig he would decide later whether or not to pardon Nixon.

Richard Nixon resigned the presidency on August 9, 1974. Gerald and Betty escorted him and his wife, Pat, across the South Lawn to the helicopter that whisked them away from the White House. That same afternoon, Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States. Betty was also hurt by Nixon's duplicity and shocked at the fast turn of events, and she rightly predicted, this is going to change our whole life.

As they watched Nixon fly off, Gerald grabbed Betty's hand to reassure her, saying, We can do this. In his swearing-in remarks, President Ford promised the nation that our long national nightmare is over. He also credited Betty for her support, stating, I am indebted to no man and only to one woman, my dear wife, as I begin this very difficult job.

But Betty felt it was the saddest day in her life. A month later, she gave her first press conference and said she hoped to live up to the example set by the first ladies who came before her. Privately, she was determined to be herself. As she later described it, I figured, okay, I'll move to the White House, do the best I can. If they don't like it, they can kick me out. But they can't make me somebody I'm not.

On September 9th, Ford pardoned Nixon, insisting that avoiding the trial of a former president was the right thing to do. His popularity plummeted, but Betty's popularity soared.

During her first weeks in the White House, she established a reputation for herself as a new kind of First Lady, one who was willing to speak her mind about both political and personal matters. She spoke with reporters about the painkillers she took for her neck and back pain, the tranquilizer pills she took for anxiety, about her psychiatric therapy sessions, about her support for the Equal Rights Amendment, and more.

Then, in late September of 1974, Betty's doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital found a lump on her right breast. They operated and found it was cancerous. She had a mastectomy, and doctors removed cancerous lymph nodes as well. But despite the taboo around discussing women's health at the time, Betty wanted to be forthright. The White House issued a press statement and was soon inundated with cards and letters for Betty. As she recovered, she began to speak openly about her illness and surgery.

She later said, "I thought that there are women all over the country like me. If I don't make this public, then their lives will be gone. They're in jeopardy." And she continued to speak out on issues she cared about, including women's health and women's rights. In October 1975, she told attendees at a women's conference, "I do not believe that being First Lady should prevent me from expressing my views. Why should my husband's job, or yours, prevent us from being ourselves? Being ladylike does not require silence."

More media attention followed. But as her profile grew, along with her influence, came the risk of saying too much. Imagine it's July 21st, 1975. You're a producer for the CBS news show 60 Minutes, and you're at the White House getting ready for an exclusive interview with First Lady Betty Ford. Earlier this summer, her husband announced that he'd be running for re-election in 76, prompting Mrs. Ford to agree to give you an interview. It'll be a major scoop for your team.

Today, you're in the solarium on the top floor of the White House getting cameras ready. You'll also need to prep Mrs. Ford on questions your correspondent, Morley Safer, plans to ask. Thank you for agreeing to this, Mrs. Ford. I think our viewers are going to love it. Of course. Why don't we sit over here on the couch while they set things up? Now, in our preliminary discussions with your staff, they said you were open to answering any of Mr. Safer's questions, even the tough ones. Is that correct? He can ask me anything.

I'm a lousy liar, so my default is to be completely open. That's great. So no taboo subjects to avoid. I had 26 years of experience as a congressman's wife before becoming first lady. I learned a lot during that time. I wasn't sitting around being a dummy. And I assume that means it's okay to discuss your family, your children? We're obviously proud of all four of our kids, so I don't see why we can't talk about them.

But what kind of questions did you have in mind? You need to be careful, because you're not sure exactly what questions your reporter will ask. Well, I think our viewers might be curious to hear your views on some sensitive subjects like drug use in America these days and premarital sex and even abortion. Oh, okay.

I feel very strongly that it was the best thing in the world when the Supreme Court voted to legalize abortion. It was a great, great decision. Boy, you really aren't shy about taboo subjects. Are you willing to say that on camera? I am. I also think it's time we had a woman on the Supreme Court. Feel free to ask me about that, too. If my husband is elected, that's something I'll be suggesting to him.

You can't believe your ears. You never expected the First Lady of the United States to be so candid. We were also hoping to discuss your health. As everyone knows, you had breast cancer and a mastectomy. And I believe you saw a psychiatrist as well? I did, and it was the best thing for me. I needed help.

People need to be willing to ask for help when they need it, especially women. Speaking of women, what are your thoughts on the Equal Rights Amendment? I think it should pass, of course. I don't want to step on my husband's toes, but what greater gift to women than to pass the Equal Rights Amendment and next year's Bicentennial? Okay, that's great. Just great. It's going to be a fascinating interview, Mrs. Ford. Now, let's go and say hello to Mr. Safer and get started. ♪

you had expected to find a bland and careful political wife. Instead, you've been surprised that Betty Ford is a woman with a mind of her own, prepared to talk about anything. You're not sure if this interview will be good for her husband or not, but it'll be great for ratings. Betty Ford's 60 Minutes interview ran on August 10th, 1975, exactly a year after Nixon's resignation.

Betty later said that even though she had discussed the interview in advance with the show's producer, Ed Hewitt, a few of Morley Safer's questions caught her off guard.

Safer himself later said, I didn't expect to find a woman so strong and straight and frank. He also wrote Betty a note to thank her for the interview and assure her that the reactions at CBS had been overwhelmingly positive. But the White House was inundated with calls and letters. Some were appalled by Betty's honest views on abortion, marijuana, and premarital sex. Others raved. One viewer was quoted as saying, I might just vote Republican for the first time in my life.

Gerald Ford told the press that he was unperturbed by his wife's remarks. And initially, some of his staff were pleased, too. When Ford joked that his wife had just cost him 20 million votes, his chief of staff, Donald Rumsfeld, said, Nonsense. She just won you 30 million votes. But some on Ford's team feared a backlash. Rumsfeld's deputy, Dick Cheney, asked Ford to get Betty to lay low for a while. Ford told Cheney, If you want Betty to tone it down, then you tell her.

But despite the criticism, Betty did not lay low or tone anything down. She became an outspoken advocate for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, which would have enshrined legal equality for all Americans, regardless of gender. Betty cajoled state lawmakers, traveled across the country to give speeches and attend conferences,

And while the ERA would not pass, Betty did persuade her husband to appoint more women to his administration, including Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Carla Hills, the first woman to hold the post. Betty also encouraged him to create the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year in 1975, though she was disappointed he didn't appoint a woman to the Supreme Court. Betty Friedan, the author of The Feminine Mystique, praised Betty's work on behalf of the Women's Liberation Movement.

Ferdinand called Betty the very best kind of liberated woman. Your sensitivity and strength is going to be a wonderful boost for millions of mothers and daughters and American women generally. In 1975, Time magazine named Betty Woman of the Year, and People magazine later called her one of the three most intriguing people in America. When Gerald announced in mid-1975 that he'd seek re-election, Betty's approval rating surpassed his.

Betty agreed to support Gerald's run for president, and she became a popular figure on the campaign trail. At the Republican National Convention, Betty made waves by dancing with singer Tony Orlando. Some campaign buttons read, "'Betty's Husband for President' and "'Keep Betty in the White House.'"

On January 10, 1976, Betty made a brief cameo appearance on the popular Mary Tyler Moore show, becoming the first president's wife to appear in a television sitcom. But her popularity was not enough to lure voters to her husband's campaign. Ford lost a close race to Democratic candidate Jimmy Carter, the first incumbent president to lose since FDR beat Herbert Hoover in 1932.

On Election Day, Gerald had lost his voice, and he asked Betty to read his concession speech. In a hoarse scratch, he said, Betty stepped up, kissed her husband on the lips, and then thanked their supporters and said, as he prepares to assume his new responsibilities.

The Ford's time in the White House was over, but Betty would soon face some of the most difficult personal challenges she could imagine as she fought to regain control and direction in her life.

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After leaving the White House in January 1977, Betty and Gerald Ford moved to Rancho Mirage outside Palm Springs in Southern California. They had decided to move to a hot, dry climate for Betty's arthritis. Betty was hoping for a smooth transition back into civilian life and looking forward to a lifestyle supported by book and television deals. But after so many years in the Washington limelight, she struggled to adjust to retirement. She often wondered, what do you do after you've reached the pinnacle?

Betty and Gerald received $1 million to write their respective memoirs. Betty started writing hers, which was scheduled to be published in the fall of 1978. But she was drinking heavily and had become addicted to her pain and anxiety medications, sometimes taking 20 pills a day.

She was nearing 60 and felt despondent. Her family began to worry that her substance abuse problem was far worse than they imagined. During her final years in the White House, friends and reporters had occasionally commented on Betty's slurred speech or drooping eyes, but the family often chalked it up to the pressures of the job of First Lady and the constant entertaining. In retirement, though, Betty's addiction became more pronounced. Her children were worried about her.

And in April 1978, the family decided it was time to act. Imagine it's April 1st, 1978. It's a warm summer afternoon and you've been rearranging boxes and furniture inside your new home in Rancho Mirage, just outside Palm Springs.

The doorbell rings and you're surprised to find all four of your children standing on the stoop, along with your husband, who's been in D.C. and wasn't to home for days. Behind them, you see a Navy doctor and a nurse. What are you all doing here? My birthday's not for another week. Jerry, did you get the date wrong? Your daughter, Susan, takes you by the arm and leads you inside. Mom, let's go inside. We need to talk. I don't understand. What's going on?

And why is that doctor here? Let's all go to the living room, okay? Your mind is racing, but you quickly realize what's going on. Just last week, Susan and your assistant Caroline had brought a doctor to the house. They wanted to talk with you about your drinking, but you got furious and kicked them all out. Now it seems Susan has brought reinforcements. She sits next to you on the sofa and starts to explain. Mom, you've been drinking too much and taking too many pills.

We're all worried about you. Have you been planning this behind my back? I told you last week that I'm fine. What's wrong with a drink or two at the end of the day? Dad loves his martinis. Why aren't you worried about him? You need help, Mom. It's been getting worse. We probably should have done this sooner. You've all ambushed me. Invaded my privacy.

After all I've done for this family, you bring this doctor, this stranger into my house and tell me, what, that I'm an alcoholic? It's not just the drinking, Mom. It's all the pills you take. They make you loopy. Those are pain medications that were prescribed by my doctor for my pinched nerve and my arthritis. Yeah, but also pills for anxiety, pills to help you sleep,

Between that and your drinking, it's just too much. You need to stop all of it. I don't drink that much. No more than anyone else. And always, at the end of the day, it's not like I'm having Bloody Marys for breakfast. Mike said he came for dinner with his girlfriend and watched you have one drink, then another, then another. He said you started slowing your words and then fell asleep in front of the TV. I'm sorry, but that's not normal, Mom.

You find it difficult to hear what your daughter is describing, but slowly you realize what she's saying is true, but you can't find the words to respond. Mom, we want you to see professionals. It's a clinic in Long Beach. The people there can help you.

Finally, you can't keep your emotions inside any longer. You burst into tears and bury your face in your hands. For years, you've tried to be strong for your husband, for your family. You tried to be the perfect wife, the perfect first lady. But now you feel blindsided by the people you love. You feel betrayed. You know you need help. Right now, all you can feel is anger and failure.

Betty was shocked when her family confronted her about her drinking and reliance on prescription drugs. She was also angry at her doctors, who for years had prescribed pills for pain, sleep, and anxiety without ever discussing the consequences. But in time, she would call the intervention a transformational moment in her life. She knew her drinking had come to dominate her life, later calling it a slow suicide. So she agreed to seek treatment, starting with a week-long detoxification at home.

Then on April 11, 1978, two days after her 60th birthday, she entered the Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Service at Long Beach Naval Hospital south of Los Angeles, which had been created in 1965 to treat active-duty military personnel. She shared a room with other women, was required to clean restrooms and participate in group therapy, during which she confronted her father's alcoholism.

She left four weeks later and returned home. Gerald quit drinking in solidarity. Two weeks after that, Betty and Gerald visited the White House for the unveiling of their official portraits. Jimmy Carter said, Betty Ford has earned the admiration of our nation for her courage and complete candor. She is the most popular person in our country today.

Betty had never shied away from difficult topics, and she decided to speak openly to the press about her alcoholism. Her autobiography, The Times of My Life, was released later that year, chronicling not only her White House years, but in a typically candid final chapter, she shared the details of her addictions and her rehabilitation at Long Beach.

Over the next few years, she and her friend and Rancho Mirage neighbor, Leonard Firestone, also a recovering addict, worked together to create a non-profit substance abuse center at the nearby Eisenhower Medical Center. The two threw themselves into raising funds and support for the treatment facility, which broke ground in 1981 and opened to patients in October of 82.

Betty was initially reluctant to lend her name to the center, but came around to believing it would help others, and the Betty Ford Center was soon transforming lives. Medical doctors and addiction professionals praised Betty for devoting herself to destigmatizing addiction treatment. The Betty Ford Center would pioneer education and support programs for the parents and siblings of those suffering from addiction, including an intensive five-day family program.

Betty would serve as chairman of the board for more than 20 years and often sat in on support group meetings. She would greet others by saying, Hi, my name's Betty, and I'm an alcoholic.

In 1984, she helped launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in 1987, she published another memoir, A Glad Awakening, which further explored her recovery from addiction. She donated all proceeds of book sales to the Betty Ford Center. And later that year, a television movie called The Betty Ford Story aired, followed by information on how families could learn more about the intervention process.

Betty also tackled the stigmatized issue of HIV-AIDS during the AIDS crisis of the late 80s and early 90s. Through her work at the Betty Ford Center and the Los Angeles AIDS Project, she highlighted the link between drug abuse and AIDS, and in 1985, she received the Commitment to Life Award from the LA AIDS Project.

In 1991, President George H.W. Bush presented Betty with a Presidential Medal of Freedom for providing selfless, strong, and refreshing leadership on a number of issues. When she attended the 1992 Republican National Convention, she wore an AIDS ribbon pin and later supported gay and lesbian causes. She spoke out against discrimination in the military and in favor of same-sex marriage, continuing her willingness to support causes that didn't always mesh with the policies of her husband and his Republican colleagues.

In 1999, Betty and Gerald were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions. When she turned 85, Betty published a third book titled Healing and Hope. Six women from the Betty Ford Center share their powerful journeys of addiction and recovery.

Gerald Ford died in 2006 at the age of 93. Betty continued to live in Rancho Mirage, welcoming visits from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She died on July 8, 2011, at the Eisenhower Medical Center at age 93. She left $500,000 to the Betty Ford Center and was buried beside her husband on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids.

In her eulogy, former First Lady Rosalind Carter described Betty as someone who was willing to do things a bit differently than they had been done before. Someone who had the courage and grace to fight fear, stigma, and prejudice wherever she encountered it.

Betty Ford had entered the White House as a reluctant First Lady and at a time of great turmoil in America. But she took to the role with passion and devotion to social causes. She courageously spoke her mind on controversial topics and developed a reputation for advocacy, social progress, and courage. As Time magazine said, with her death, America lost one of its unlikely and unmatched healers.

From Wondery, this is episode four of our series on first ladies for American history tellers. On the next episode, Michelle Robinson is an ambitious corporate lawyer, laser-focused on her career. But after she marries a charismatic young political organizer named Barack Obama, she reluctantly enters the whirlwind of American politics. Together, they will make history as the first black president and first lady of the United States.

If you like American history tellers, you can binge all episodes early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Prime members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey at wondery.com slash survey.

If you'd like to learn more about Betty Ford, we recommend Betty Ford, First Lady, Women's Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer by Lisa McCubbin, and Betty Ford's 1978 memoir, The Times of My Life.

American History Tellers is hosted, edited, and produced by me, Lindsey Graham for Airship. Audio editing by Trishan Paraga. Sound design by Molly Bogg. Music by Lindsey Graham. Voice acting by Ace Anderson and Cat Peoples. This episode is written by Neil Thompson. Edited by Dorian Marina. Produced by Alita Rozanski. Our production coordinator is Desi Blaylock. Managing producer, Matt Gant. Senior managing producer, Ryan Lohr. Senior producer, Andy Herrmann.

Executive producers are Jenny Lauer-Beckman, Marshall Louis, and Erin O'Flaherty for Wondery. Richard Bandler revolutionized the world of self-help all thanks to an approach he developed called neurolinguistic programming. Even though NLP worked for some, its methods have been criticized for being dangerous in the wrong hands. Throw

Throw in Richard's dark past as a cocaine addict and murder suspect, and you can't help but wonder what his true intentions were. I'm Sachi Cole. And I'm Sarah Hagee. And we're the hosts of Scamfluencers, a weekly podcast from Wondery that takes you along the twists and turns of the most infamous scams of all time, the impact on victims, and the

and what's left once the facade falls away. We recently dove into the story of the godfather of modern mental manipulation, Richard Bandler, whose methods inspired some of the most toxic and criminal self-help movements of the last two decades. Follow Scamfluencers on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to Scamfluencers and more Exhibit C true crime shows like Morbid and Kill List early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery+.

Check out Exhibit C in the Wondery app for all your true crime listening.