The first time I met Susan Ford Bales was at her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For several hours she shared with me her memories of growing up as Betty Ford’s daughter. It was late afternoon when she walked me outside to my car, and as we stopped in the courtyard to say goodbye, a single yellow butterfly appeared out of nowhere and flew in a figure eight around the two of us.
Two days later, I was back home in California and happened to go out for breakfast after a morning doctor’s appointment. It was my first time at Theresa & Johnny’s Comfort Food in San Rafael, and I was stunned when the waitress appeared before me wearing the restaurant’s “uniform”: a black T-shirt etched with David Kennerly’s photo of Betty Ford dancing on the Cabinet Room table. On the back it proclaimed, “Breakfast That Will Make You Want to Dance!”
While conducting interviews at the Betty Ford Center, I contacted the new owners of the former Ford residence on Sand Dune Road in Rancho Mirage, and they graciously allowed me to tour the home. As I stepped outside the door from the living room and onto the patio facing the golf course, I kid you not, a single yellow butterfly arose from the bushes and fluttered above my head.
Most of my writing was done on my laptop while sitting at the head of my dining room table, surrounded by books and yellow legal pads filled with notes, facing a large window overlooking San Francisco Bay. Inevitably, there would be those times when the words just wouldn’t come; when I couldn’t figure out exactly how to bring Betty to life on the page. I’d pause and look up from the screen, and so many times—so many times—there would be a single butterfly—sometimes yellow, sometimes a bright-orange monarch, but always a single butterfly—peering in as if to say, “Keep going. You’ve got this. One day at a time.”
There is a remarkable sense of serenity at the Betty Ford Center. The purple desert mountains stand guard like giant arms protecting the campus with a gentle grace. If there comes a time when you happen to be a patient walking along the winding palm tree–lined paths, struggling on your own journey, don’t be surprised if you happen to see a single butterfly fluttering its wings like a graceful dancer, hovering just overhead.
On her last full day in the White House, Betty told photographer David Kennerly, “I’ve always wanted to dance on the Cabinet Room table.” January 19, 1977. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Baby Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Bloomer in her mother, Hortense’s, arms. Denver, 1918. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty, age 3, with her teddy bear. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty (left) with two friends at Whitefish Lake. Circa 1925. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty (left) honed her dance skills under the tutelage of Martha Hill (seated, center) and Martha Graham (not pictured) at Bennington College School of Dance. Summer 1937. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Mary Snapp (left) and Betty Bloomer (right) in “Scenes from Scaramouche” at a Calla Travis School of Dance performance in Grand Rapids, Michigan. May 1936. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
As the “Martha Graham of Grand Rapids,” Betty takes a sensuous pose in a benefit performance of “Fantasy.” 1942. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty, age twenty-four, modeling for Herpolsheimer’s Department Store. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1942. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Joyful newlyweds, Betty and Gerald Ford, on their wedding day, October 15, 1948. Grand Rapids, Michigan. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Congressman Gerald Ford and Betty attend a Grand Rapids campaign event with presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie. October 1, 1952. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty, age thirty-four, with newborn Jack and two-year-old Michael in their apartment in Parkfairfax, Virginia, 1952. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Mike, Jerry, Jack, baby Susan, Betty, and Steve (in highchair) in the kitchen of their home at 514 Crown View Drive, Alexandria, Virginia, 1958. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Clara Powell was like a second mother to the Ford children. Here with Mike and Jack on Jack’s first birthday, 1953. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Clara Powell snuggles with Steve and Susan at 514 Crown View Drive, Alexandria, Virginia. Circa 1960. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Ford family Christmas photo, 1960. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty playing with Steve and Susan on the swing set in the backyard of their home on Crown View Drive, as Mike plays ball in the background, 1962. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
The Ford family on skis at Boyne Mountain, Michigan, 1965. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
As a congressman’s wife, Betty Ford was profiled in an article entitled: “How does she dress so well and not spend a fortune?” for Ladies Home Journal, April 1961. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
After being sworn in as vice president, Jerry Ford unabashedly kissed Betty, much to the surprise of House Speaker Carl Albert. AP Photo
“You’ll get so you hate these red carpets,” Pat Nixon whispered to Betty as the Nixons departed the White House, after President Nixon resigned in disgrace. August 9, 1974. Courtesy Richard M. Nixon Library
Betty was stoic as her husband was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States by Chief Justice Warren Burger in the East Room of the White House on August 9, 1974. AP Photo
For the first ten days of Gerald Ford’s presidency, the family continued to live in their Alexandria home. President Ford and First Lady Betty Ford having breakfast in their kitchen, August 18, 1974. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty Ford wishes President Ford a good day at the (Oval) office as he exits their Alexandria residence, August 18, 1974. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty Ford with her personal assistant, Nancy Howe, in the White House, August 25, 1974. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty Ford conducts her first press conference as first lady in the East Room at the White House, surprising members of the press with her openness and candor. September 4, 1974. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
As Betty Ford gave a tour of the Fords’ White House bedroom to Lady Bird Johnson, daughters Lynda and Luci, and Lynda’s husband, Chuck Robb, she did not disclose that she was going to Bethesda Naval Hospital to undergo breast cancer surgery that evening, and no one noticed the packed suitcase at the end of the bed. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
President Ford with Betty following her urgent breast cancer surgery at Bethesda Naval Hospital. October 2, 1974. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Eager to show everyone how well she was recovering, Betty tossed a football—a gift from Washington Redskins coach George Allen—to President Ford in the hospital hallway, barely a week after her breast cancer surgery. October 4, 1974. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty gives President Ford a warm embrace in the Oval Office, as the president playfully admonishes the photographer. December 6, 1974. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty and daughter Susan share a playful moment in the president’s chair in the Oval Office. December 8, 1974. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Onlookers stop and stare as First Lady Betty Ford walks through Vail, Colorado, laughing with friends Sheika Gramshammer and Gloria Brown. December 24, 1974. AP Photo
The Fords open presents on Christmas morning 1974 in Vail, Colorado. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
From the family quarters of the White House, Betty Ford looks out over the West Wing to get a glimpse of her husband as he walks to the Oval Office, January 20, 1975. At times, she said she felt like “a bird in a gilded cage.” Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty’s outspoken support for the Equal Rights Amendment sparked controversy, but she refused to be silenced. Hollywood, Florida. February 26, 1975. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
President Ford, Susan, and Betty share a light moment at Camp David, March 2, 1975. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Mike, Gayle, President Ford, Betty, Jack, Susan, and Steve on the South Lawn of the White House. September 6, 1976. Courte
sy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty shows off the ERA “Bloomer” flag presented to her by one of her Secret Service agents. L to R: Nancy Chirdon, Agent Dick Hartwig, Betty, Carolyn Porembka, military aide Ric Sardo, photographer David Kennerly. June 24, 1975. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty’s candid answers in her interview with Morley Safer for
60 Minutes sparked unprecedented controversy. July 21, 1975. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty greets President Ford on Air Force One, unaware of an assassination attempt, moments earlier, outside a San Francisco hotel. September 22, 1975. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
First Lady Betty Ford answers questions from the press about early detection of breast cancer. New York City. Nov. 7, 1975. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
After the assassination attempts, Betty routinely waved goodbye to President Ford from the White House balcony, and said a prayer, every time he departed on a trip. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
When First Lady Betty Ford enthusiastically joined a group of Chinese dancers during a presidential visit to Beijing in December 1975, some said she opened more bridges between the two nations than the talks of the diplomats. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Comedian Woody Allen paid $5,000 to be First Lady Betty Ford’s escort at the 50th anniversary celebration of Martha Graham’s dance company. L to R: Diane Keaton, Martha Graham, Betty Ford, Woody Allen. New York City, June 19, 1975. AP Photo
First Lady Betty Ford, aka “First Momma,” drew large crowds during the 1976 presidential campaign because she was so popular. San Jacinto, Texas. April 21, 1976. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty joined son Steve on a campaign stop in California during his sweep through the west in a Winnebago motor home during the 1976 presidential campaign. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty takes Queen Elizabeth II on a tour of the White House. July 7, 1976. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
First Lady Betty Ford dancing with Britain’s Prince Philip following the state dinner in honor of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. July 7, 1976. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty got a lot of attention when she danced “the bump” with entertainer Tony Orlando onstage during the 1976 Republican National Convention in Kansas City. August 17, 1976. AP Photo
First Lady Betty Ford and comedian Marty Allen dancing in the Grand Hall of the White House following a state dinner honoring the president of Liberia. September 21, 1976. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
President and Mrs. Ford brought dancing back to the White House during state dinners and they were often the last ones on the dance floor at the end of the evening. August 3, 1976. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty and White House chief photographer David Kennerly had a close relationship and shared a bawdy sense of humor. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty tries to cheer up son Jack for a family photo in the Oval Office after the election loss, November 3, 1976. L to R: Steve, Jack, Betty, President Ford, Susan, Gayle, and Mike. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Because President Ford lost his voice in the waning hours of the 1976 presidential campaign, Betty stepped up to read his concession speech to the press. L to R: Steve, President Ford, Susan, Mike, Gayle, and Betty (at podium). Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
The living room of the Fords’ home in Rancho Mirage, California, where the family held an intervention to address Betty’s drug and alcohol addiction on April 1, 1978. Courtesy George Gutenberg Architecture & Interior Design Photography
Betty and Caroline Coventry share a light moment as they unpack boxes during the Ford’s move to their newly constructed home in Rancho Mirage, CA. The intervention took place days later. March 1978. Courtesy Caroline Coventry.
Liza Minnelli, Elizabeth Taylor, and Betty Ford at Studio 54 in New York City, May 1979. Getty Images
Dr. Joe Cruse, Betty Ford, and Leonard Firestone break ground for the Betty Ford Center, October 1981. Courtesy Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Jerry and Betty stroll hand in hand in Vail. Courtesy Russ Ohlson
Betty Ford and daughter Susan Ford Bales. Courtesy Susan Ford Bales
Betty Ford in front of Firestone Hall at the Betty Ford Center, 1990. Courtesy Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
First Lady Barbara Bush, Betty Ford, and President George H.W. Bush as Betty is presented the Medal of Freedom. November 18, 1991. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library
Betty and Jerry Ford with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in Vail, Colorado. This was the last family photo before President Ford’s death. Summer 2002. Courtesy Susan Ford Bales
Greg Willard briefs Mrs. Ford as Air Force One arrives in Washington, DC, for the state funeral of President Ford. December 29, 2006. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library, David Kennerly
Betty Ford prays at her husband’s flag draped casket in the US Capitol Rotunda, December 29, 2006. She slept with that flag next to her until her death in 2011. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library, David Kennerly
Jerry and Betty at their Alexandria home, August 1974. Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library, David Kennerly
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
* * *
First and foremost, I must acknowledge and thank Susan Ford Bales, who gave so freely of her time and memories. Not only did she meet with me on several occasions, answering questions and reminiscing for hours at a time, but she also responded graciously to countless emails and phone calls about minute details and highly personal family matters, and then read multiple versions of the manuscript, offering corrections for accuracy. Not once did she request I remove anything. I admire her integrity and commitment to her parents’ legacies, and I am honored to call her a friend.
Additionally, Susan connected me to dozens of people whose differing perspectives provided deeper insight into her mother’s life—from aunts and cousins to longtime family friends. Two who were especially helpful, and to whom I am indebted, are Greg Willard and Caroline Coventry Morgan.
Greg, who is the embodiment of diplomacy, shared poignant memories of his special relationship with the Ford family in multiple interviews, spent innumerable hours reviewing several versions of the manuscript, and provided on-point suggestions for clarity and accuracy. His assistance and friendship are priceless.
Caroline Coventry Morgan’s contribution is, I hope, evident in the story. We spent two days together in Santa Fe—two days and evenings filled with tears and laughter, as she shared her own deeply personal side of Betty Ford’s story—and another treasured friendship developed.
David Hume Kennerly’s contributions also cannot be overstated. From our first meeting at his home—which, as you can imagine, is like a museum—he was generous with his time and candid memories of Betty Ford. Even though, to this day, he respectfully refers to her as “Mrs. Ford,” you get a sense of the special bond they shared from the mischievous expression on her face in that fantastic photograph we chose for the jacket cover.
It was important to me that all four of the Ford children have a voice in this story, and I am grateful to Steve, Mike, and Jack, for their cooperation and willingness to share humorous anecdotes, as well as deeply personal moments. Susan’s daughters Tyne Berlanga and Heather Devers helped me see Betty Ford as Gramma, while relatives Greg Ford, Linda Ford Burba, and Bonnie Bloomer Baker provided insight into Betty’s earlier years.
I am grateful to Ann Cullen, Nancy Chirdon Forster, Penny Circle, Sheila Weidenfeld, and Jan Hart, each of whom worked with Betty Ford at different times in her life and gave generously of their time to provide their unique perspectives.
It is a testament to Betty Ford herself that so many people agreed, and indeed were eager, to share their memories of this incredible woman. It was an honor to speak with Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary Donald Rumsfeld; First Lady Rosalynn Carter graciously met with me at the Carter Center in Atlanta; Tom Brokaw, Andrea Mitchell, Ali MacGraw, Geoff Mason, and Nancy Brinker each spent considerable time wit
h me by telephone. In Vail, I had the wonderful opportunity to reminisce with the incomparable Sheika Gramshammer in Pepi’s Restaurant. Many thanks to Dr. Joseph Cruse, Linda and John Galvin, Ann Lewis, Toto Fisher, Joan Secchia, Barbara Yardley Appleby, Bay Innamorati, board members of the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Lorna Luft, and Lynette Williams Thomas for their memorable contributions.
Betty Ford: First Lady Page 40