Tuesday
Jul122011
Honoring Betty Ford
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 10:10 PM 
Photo by Jae C. Hong / AP Images
Mrs. O attended the funeral of former First Lady Betty Ford in Palm Desert, California today. Attendees also included former first ladies Nancy Reagan and Rosalynn Carter, former President George W. Bush, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
For a wonderful tribute to Betty Ford (style context and all), please have a read through the article below.
"Betty Ford, Former First Lady and Feminist, 93" [WWD]
Reader Comments (31)
What a nice photo of people who are so important to America. Prayers go to the Ford family in the loss of their mother. Each First Lady adds a special and important message to our country.
I see how appropriate Michelle Obama appeared in her dress and manner at Mrs. Ford's funeral. Mrs. Ford was a wonderful women. I appreciate seeing people dressed in black as a sign of respect. My dear father just passed at age 100. My children and grandchildren all appeared in black for the ceremony. I was touched by their understanding of what it means to show consideration for the importence of the moment. Maybe I am very old fashioned, but I don't understand Mrs. Reagan showing up in white. I had heard that Mrs. Reagen didn't care for Mrs. Ford. Mrs. Carter's message was very moving.
With respect and condolence to the family and friends of Mrs. Ford, and for her service to our country, I honor her.
...And are we still allowed to "follow the fashion of Mrs. O." as such a solemn occasion? ...I'd like to know "what and whom she's wearing." Details, please?
And that's LBJ's family represented there in the middle -- Lynda Johnson Robb is in the white sweater and her husband, former Senator and former Virginia governor Chuck Robb, just behind her. And of course, Maria Shriver there on the bottom left corner.
Such sad news about Mrs. Ford's passing.
I don't think that any negative meaning should be attached to Nancy Reagan's wearing white. White is certainly not inappropriate for funeral wear. Often (particularly in the South) the entire bereaved family will wear white.
By the way, former Governor and First Lady of Virginia Chuck Robb and Lynda Johnson Robb are also on this photo. She is the daughter of President Lyndon Johnson.
Mrs. O looks incredibly young in this photograph. I like the neckline of her dress and am intrigued by Hilary R. Clinton's dress, and pearls.
There were others there in white also, as in the woman you see in the picture right in front of Hillary Clinton- don't read too much into what Mrs. Reagan wore...What was important is that she was there to pay her respects to Mrs. Ford.
White at a funeral is just fine. Some wear it to funerals of very young, for others white is a symbol of birth into a new (after)life.
Oh Come on, don't pick on Mrs. Reagan, she is an old woman, it was probably 90 degrees, did you also notice the priest's robe is white!!!
Thank you, President George W. Bush for representing your administration.
Mrs. O looks beautiful.
Mrs T. I am a little late in this request. Can you please turn off comments for Mrs Ford's funeral. It seems for such an occasion there does not need to be a focus on Mrs O's clothing, but rather the occasion. Mrs Ford's life should speak for itself. I felt this way for the Tucson rememberance as well as Sgt Shrivers funeral. There are some occasions that commenting on clothes and who and what she is wearing demeans the process. Thanks for your time
Anagrom
I came here to say exactly what Mrs 2S said. Michelle looks ridiculously young in this picture.
An active lifestyle has so many benefits.
Condolences to the Ford family.
Rosalynn Carter's tribute was such a moving testimony to the power of friendship - do take a moment to find it on youtube.
I believe white is a colour for mourning in China but I may be wrong. I see nothing wrong with wearing white to a funeral. I think the main thing is paying respects. I went to a funeral once where no one wore white, It was the express wish of the deceased (before she died) that people wear bright colours and have a party afterwards in her memory, which we all did. Funerals are always sombre affairs but I will never forget THAT funeral - it was such a send off and a big celebration of a wonderful lady !!
Thank you for this thread, Mrs. T. It gives us a chance to offer our thoughts on Mrs. Ford. I agree, Mrs. Carter's tribute was wonderful. The Ford family was a breath of fresh air in the White House when it was needed for the country. Just as the Obama family is now.
Does it look like Mrs O is letting her hair go natural? I'd love it if she did.
I perceive Mrs. Ford as a brave and sincere woman whose own truths that she shared with the world eased the stigmas of reaction to stress for many people. She was a kind and gentle spirit who brought sensibility and goodness to her life and to her role as a first lady. It's so nice and right to see mourners from so many persuasions honor her.
latimes has a nice close-up of the 4 first ladies at
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0713-betty-ford-20110713,0,5030050.story
personally, I think MO just did her hair in a casual, non-glam style, perfectly appropriate for NOT drawing attention to herself. no sign of "natural" when you can see the detail, #6 at the CBS photo set
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-201_162-10008567-6.html?tag=page;next
I know white is a color of mourning in India.
Rest in Peace, Mrs. Ford. You helped to make this world a better place.
My condolences to the Ford family.
Peace.
when gerald ford became vice-president and then president, conmentators said that he never aspired to higher office than speaker of the house so, neither he nor betty had been molded into the presidential and first lady cookie cutter. there was a good bit of commentary that a double bed was being moved into the white house when the fords moved in.
Let's not forget that Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is also a former First Lady. I find it interesting that W came without his mother to pay tribute to one of her own. Oh, well.
Betty Ford was a fine example of beauty and stamina. God bless her, and her family.
Hi Mrs. T. - I want to say that both of Nixon's daughters and both of LBJ's daughters attended Mrs. Ford's funeral. I also think Mrs. Reagan wore white to Ladybird's funeral. I believe Barbara Bush is scheduled to attend the internment in Michigan. As for Mrs. O's hair - has she cut it? She does look younger in the photo.
@ Mary Hicks ...I saw that Barbara Bush will attend the next service for Betty Ford; I think it is in
Michigan.
R.I.P, Mrs. Ford :\
Uber-flattering hairstyle. Why in the world would anyone say she looks "ridiculously young"? She looks fabulous.
I agree Mrs. O looks extremely young in this picture.
I don't agree with not commenting on fashion at a funeral. Fashon is everywhere; solemn events and happy ones. If you're truly in mourning then you wouldn't be reading / commenting on this or any other blog.
Betty Ford lived a fabulous, well dressed life and left her mark in society. I am thrilled the current First Lady and others gave her a fashionable farewell.
maybe barbara bush was under the weather.
Mrs. Ford was def a unique woman in her own right...a true trailblazer for women!.....Now, is it known what Mrs. O is wearing at the service? However, solemn the occasion of topic, were always intrigued at our FLOTUS attire.....
Do we still not know anything about the dress? It's fabulous.
And I love that W. came. Seems liberated, in a way, to not just leave it up to the first ladies. And that he stood through the service next to Hillary! Time can heal everything, it seems.