Born Elizabeth Bloomer, Betty Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she attended Central High School, worked as a model and studied and taught dance.

Although she tried, a dancing career was not in her future and on returning to Grand Rapids, she met Gerald Ford who would assume the role of President of the US.

Throughout her husband’s term in office, Betty Ford maintained high approval ratings despite opposition from some conservative Republicans who objected to her more moderate and liberal positions on social issues.

She was noted for raising breast cancer awareness having been diagnosed with the disease, was a passionate supporter of the equal rights amendment, pro-choice on abortion and a leader in the women’s movement where she gained fame as one of the most candid first ladies in history.

She also raised awareness of addiction when in the 1970s, she announced her long-running battle with alcoholism and substance abuse.

In 1982, Betty Ford founded the Betty Ford Centre for the treatment of chemical dependency, including treating the children of alcoholics, substance abuse and addiction.

My favourite photograph at the Gerald Ford museum – the day the Ford’s left office, the First Lady took her shoes off and jumped up on her husband’s cabinet office meeting table and posed in true dancing style.