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Betty Ford

First Lady, Women's Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer

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Betty Ford

By: Lisa McCubbin Hill
Narrated by: Amanda Carlin
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Five Presidents and The Kennedy Detail comes the definitive biography of Betty Ford, tracing the extraordinary journey of a First Lady who transformed personal struggle into national change and reshaped how America talks about women’s health, addiction, and equality.

Raised as a Midwestern girl far from the spotlight, Betty Ford was thrust onto the world stage when her husband, Gerald Ford, unexpectedly assumed the presidency. As First Lady, Betty defied convention, speaking openly about issues that had long been considered taboo—breast cancer, depression, abortion, and sexuality—while championing the Equal Rights Amendment and women’s rights at a time when few public figures dared to do so.

Behind the scenes, Betty faced her own private crisis. After a family intervention, she confronted her addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs and made the unprecedented decision to speak publicly about recovery. Her honesty sparked a national conversation and led to the founding of the Betty Ford Center in 1982, forever changing the treatment of addiction and the cultural understanding of recovery.

Drawing on intimate interviews with her children, Susan Ford Bales and Steven Ford, as well as friends, colleagues, and family members, this deeply researched biography also illuminates Betty’s enduring love story with Gerald Ford—a partnership built on mutual respect, loyalty, and devotion that lasted a lifetime. Vivid, compassionate, and deeply human, this book captures the life of a First Lady whose courage left an indelible mark on American history.
Activists Americas Politicians Politics & Activism United States Women First Lady Marriage Witty Survival Substance abuse
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Before listening to this audio I really didn't know much about Betty Ford but as the book came to an end I had tears in my eyes. Powerful lesson in resilience, love and faith. She changed society, saved lives and showed what it is to be sure of who you are.

What An Inspiring Woman

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