When Betty Went on Vacation
Friday, August 28, 2009 at 9:05 PM 
Betty Ford never expected to be First Lady. Her husband, Gerald Ford, had been a congressman from Michigan for almost 25 years when, in 1973, he became the first person appointed to the vice-presidency under the 25th amendment. The next year, Richard Nixon resigned as president, and Ford assumed the presidency, serving from 1974 to 1977.
Mrs. Ford was a vivacious person who had had an early career as a dancer trained by the legendary Martha Graham, a leading figure in American modern dance. As First Lady, she achieved a balance of remaining her outspoken self while graciously performing her White House duties.
The Fords liked to vacation in Vail, Colorado, but Camp David quickly became their number one choice for relaxing. These photos, by David Hume Kennerly, offer us a welcome glimpse at life behind the scenes at Camp David, a now favorite off-duty spot for the Obamas, too.
In the fall of 1974, Mrs. Ford, the President, and their dog Liberty enjoyed the pool at Camp David. The First Lady is wearing tailored pants and a jacket, accented with a chiffon scarf tied around her neck. Mrs. F was always true to her own style, favoring extremely tailored clothes. She liked shirtwaist dresses, pants suits (although the first First Lady to wear pants in public was Patricia Nixon), menswear white shirts, and sophisticatedly pared down jackets and skirts. This unassertive clean-lined look, reintroduced in recent years by Prada, was a new fashion statement at the time—a refreshing reaction to the fringe, graphic patterns, and sartorial excess of the late 1960s.
Relaxing at Camp David in 1975, with her husband and daughter Susan, Mrs. Ford was confident enough to be photographed in her hostess robe. Interestingly, this most casual item shows more feminine flare—with bell sleeves and ruffle trim—than the First Lady’s day time wear.
In 1976, the Fords strolled through the wooded Camp David grounds. Again, Mrs. Ford embraces her beloved tailored silhouette, this time with a tone-on-tone light palette for her unfettered windbreaker, shirt, and pants. We love the confidence that Mrs. Ford shows in her fashion choices and her ability to always appear at ease. She showed a true ability to wear the clothes (rather than the other way around), allowing her personality to always shine through.
All photos via Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum
Reader Comments (13)
I don't know anything about Betty and these photos don't really do much for me.
Thank you so much Mrs. C for these looks at our previous first ladies.
The photo of President & Mrs. Ford and Susan walking along a trail shows the timelessness of classic choices in clothing as these photos must be over 30 years old. Their casual attire would be appropriate for 2009.
This is the first photo I have ever seen of the interior of Camp David -- interesting! Thank you for posting these.
I always admired Betty Ford without really giving much thought to what she wore. Now that I look back on it, she looked good, in a well pressed and clean cut way.
Most of our first ladies have not been fashion mavens -- with the shining exceptions of our own Mrs. O. and Jackie Kennedy Onassis.
Thank-you for the very informative pieces on other first ladies. I t is great to contrast how each first lady adapts to the position. Michelle Obama has young children who are energetic and her casual wear reflects that.
If I remember right, Betty was a model before she married Gerry.
I remember reading an article, in either McCall's or Ladies Home Journal, back during the Ford administration, where Mrs. Ford discussed her wardrobe choses and how she mixed and matched different items together for different looks, both dressy and casual. It had some great photos of her in the second floor family quarters at the White House modeling her clothes. Not sure if one can locate these pix now, but they really showed her fashion flare and might help reader/commenter Victoria Leon know and appreciate Betty Ford more. Thanks again for a great website!
Do not know what is going on with this website. The home page does not open correctly.
I get a long blank empty segment when opening the site. Is this happening to others?
Great series!
Actually it was Gerald Ford who was the model. He modeled ski clothing in Stowe, VT while he was a student at Yale. The photo is on display at the Vermont Ski Museum in Stowe.
I love Betty Ford. She came unexpectedly to the White House and was just a refreshingly candid, vibrant, lovely person. She was 91 in April; I hope she is in good health. And what a marvelous example of turning a personal trouble into something that's done so much good for so many (the Betty Ford Center).
Wonderful pictures and commentary; keep up the great work, and thanks :)
Victoria Leon - I'm getting the impression that this site isn't doing too much for you. I wish you luck in finding something somewhere that does make you happy.
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Thank you Mrs C, for yet another interesting article. Martha Graham trained? Wow. Impressive resume indeed. Mrs F looks like someone with great flair and strength of character.
It's interesting to me, looking back at these other First Ladies, to see how little difference there is between all of these women and your current First Lady. Often strong personalities (which they would have to have been to put up with men who want to be in politics), often very stylish and straightforward about what they liked to wear, often quite startlingly modern (Mrs K and the sleeveless dresses!). I look at the fuss about some of Mrs O'd fashion choices and I realise that it's just the way some humans are made. They see someone lovely and remarkable, and they want to spoil it somehow because they don't have it. It's very sad.