Betty Ford the former first lady died on Friday at age 93. The director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential and Library Museum, Elaine Didier confirmed her death on Friday.
A family member told CNN that she passed on Friday evening with family at her bedside.
Betty married United States President Gerald R. Ford and served as the First Lady from 1974 - 1977.
Betty Ford was a cancer awareness advocate, and inspiration to people who suffered from addiction. After recovering from an addiction to alcohol and medication she established the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, Calif. in 1982.
The Clinic became famous for its celebrity clients who are struggling with addiction and emotional issues, including Ozzy Osbourne, Liz Taylor, Stevie Nicks, Kelsey Grammer, and Lindsay Lohan.
Ford underwent a mastectomy in 1974 and survived from breast cancer.
She leaves behind her four children, Michael, Jack, Steven and Susan, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Former President Ford died on December 26, 2006 also at the age of 93 years.
Mrs. Ford was a courageous pioneer, a groundbreaking First Lady, and a forceful advocate for anyone suffering from addiction or breast cancer. America fought her struggles with her and learned alongside her. She was brave, outspoken and kind. As a journalist, I had the opportunity to interview her several times and she was just fascinating. She was a wonderful woman who stood up for any human being struggling in the shadows of their personal pain. One of my highlights as First Lady of California was to honor her with a Minerva Award in 2005. My heart goes out to her entire family. Her daughter Susan is a dear friend of mine and continues to carry on Mrs. Ford's work in such a powerful way, The Hollywood Reporter reported quoting Maria Shriver.
Newlyweds Gerald and Betty Ford depart Grace Episcopal Church following their wedding ceremony in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in this handout photograph taken on October 15, 1948 and released on July 8 2011. Betty Ford, whose battles with addiction led to the founding of a famed drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic bearing her name, died on July 8, 2011. She was 93.ReutersFormer U.S. President Ford stands by as former first lady Betty Ford prepares to cut the birthday cake at a dedication ceremony for the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds' Independence Arch and Constitution Fountain in this handout photograph taken on September 19, 1975 and obtained on July 8, 2011. Betty Ford, who overcame alcohol and prescription drug addictions and helped found a rehabilitation clinic that bears her name, died on Friday at the age of 93.ReutersPresident Gerald Ford, wife Betty Ford and their son Steve (L) are surrounded by Secret Service agents and the media on the South Portico of the White House upon returning home following an attempt on the president's life by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme in Sacramento, Calfornia, in this September 5, 1975 handout photograph. Betty Ford, whose battles with addiction led to the founding of a famed drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic bearing her name, died on July 8, 2011. She was 93.ReutersFormer U.S. President Gerald R. Ford (L), daughter Susan (C) and his wife, first lady Betty Ford, walk with their dog Liberty at the presidential retreat Camp David in Maryland in this August 7, 1976 file photo. Betty Ford, who overcame alcohol and prescription drug addictions and helped found a rehabilitation clinic that bears her name, died on July 8, 2011 at age 93.ReutersPresident Gerald Ford and his wife, Betty, hug each other in the Oval Office of the White House in this December 6, 1974 handout photograph obtained on July 8, 2011. Betty Ford, whose battles with addiction led to the founding of a famed drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic bearing her name, died on July 8, 2011. She was 93.ReutersPresident Gerald Ford and his wife Betty Ford read a petition, signed by all 100 members of the United States Senate, following the first lady's breast cancer surgery at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, in this handout photo taken on October 2, 1974 and released on July 8, 2011. Ford, whose battles with addiction led to the founding of a famed drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic bearing her name, died on July 8, 2011. Ford was 93.ReutersPresident Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Betty Ford and President Gerald Ford walk to dinner after watching a performance of the Bolshoi Ballet in Vail, Colorado on August 14, 1993. The Clintons spent the weekend with the Ford's at Beaver Creek resort in the Rocky Mountains west of Denver.Reuters
