Fast Facts about Elizabeth Anne Ford born On This Day

Betty Ford, official White House photo color, 1974

- Elizabeth Anne Ford was the First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, as the wife of President Gerald Ford as well as the Second Lady of the United States from 1973 to 1974.

- Ford was born Elizabeth Anne Bloomer on April 8, 1918 in Chicago, Illinois.

- She gained popularity as one of the most sincere first ladies in history, becoming part of every significant issue of the time, including feminism, the Equal Rights Amendment, sex, abortion, equal pay, and gun control.

- She was also known for raising breast cancer awareness following her mastectomy in 1974.

"When other women have this same operation, it doesn't make any headlines. I'm sure I've saved at least one person — maybe more” - she said.

And indeed, the openness about her cancer and treatment led to an increase in reported cases of breast cancer, a phenomenon known as the "Betty Ford blip".

- Ford received the highest civilian awards of the United States, including the Award for Greatest Public Service given by Jefferson Awards in 1985 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H.W. Bush in 1991.

- In 2013 she was also inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.