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The Times of My Life
This former First Lady candidly describes her life, her unhappy first marriage, her courtship and marriage with Gerald Ford, their independent children, and her battle with cancer
305 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1978
7 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Betty Ford
19 books7 followersElizabeth Anne "Betty" Bloomer Ford was the widow of former United States President Gerald R. Ford and served as the First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. As first lady, Betty Ford was active in social policy and shattered precedents as a politically active presidential wife (Time considered her "the most since Eleanor [Roosevelt]"). In the opinion of several historians, Betty had more impact upon history and culture than her husband.
Throughout her husband's term in office, she maintained high approval ratings despite some opposition from some conservative Republicans who objected to her more moderate and liberal positions on social issues. Betty Ford was noted for raising breast cancer awareness with her 1974 mastectomy and was a passionate supporter of, and activist for, the Equal Rights Amendment. Pro-choice on abortion and a leader in the Women's Movement, she gained fame as one of the most candid first ladies in history, commenting on every hot-button issue of the time, including feminism, equal pay, ERA, sex, drugs, abortion, and gun control. She also raised awareness of addiction when she announced her long-running battle with alcoholism in the 1970s.
Following her White House years, she continued to lobby for the ERA and remained active in the Feminist Movement. She is the founder, and served as the first chairwoman of the board of directors of, the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction and is a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal.
Throughout her husband's term in office, she maintained high approval ratings despite some opposition from some conservative Republicans who objected to her more moderate and liberal positions on social issues. Betty Ford was noted for raising breast cancer awareness with her 1974 mastectomy and was a passionate supporter of, and activist for, the Equal Rights Amendment. Pro-choice on abortion and a leader in the Women's Movement, she gained fame as one of the most candid first ladies in history, commenting on every hot-button issue of the time, including feminism, equal pay, ERA, sex, drugs, abortion, and gun control. She also raised awareness of addiction when she announced her long-running battle with alcoholism in the 1970s.
Following her White House years, she continued to lobby for the ERA and remained active in the Feminist Movement. She is the founder, and served as the first chairwoman of the board of directors of, the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction and is a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 17, 2022
I read this book, because I watched the First Ladies series on HBO+ and found Mrs. Ford to be absolutely fascinating. Her sense of humor captivated me even more in the book. She learned dance from Martha Graham!! Mrs. Ford was an extraordinary woman who shared painful personal stories from which the world ha greatly benefited. Her daughter, Susan, rates significant time in the book, and I now intend to seek out her photography.
The book is a wonderful look back at history and a wealth of knowledge about a woman and family so significant to our country.
The book is a wonderful look back at history and a wealth of knowledge about a woman and family so significant to our country.
June 29, 2014
If you're looking for a book about Betty Ford's struggle with addiction, this is not it. It was published in 1978, the same year she went to treatment, and it appears that most of the book was written before she went to treatment. There is a little bit about this subject at the end of the book, but it's more of an afterthought and certainly not the focus of the book.
That being said, it's an interesting look into her life and the times before and during President Ford's term in the White House. It seems strange to use "slice of life" to describe a First Lady's autobiography, but that's what it seemed like to me. Mostly on the light-hearted side, she comes across as a fairly average woman who somewhat unexpectedly found herself in the role of Second Lady and shortly thereafter, First Lady.
Given the date this book was published, it was probably considered more candid than what would be expected from someone in her position.
That being said, it's an interesting look into her life and the times before and during President Ford's term in the White House. It seems strange to use "slice of life" to describe a First Lady's autobiography, but that's what it seemed like to me. Mostly on the light-hearted side, she comes across as a fairly average woman who somewhat unexpectedly found herself in the role of Second Lady and shortly thereafter, First Lady.
Given the date this book was published, it was probably considered more candid than what would be expected from someone in her position.
December 3, 2008
The best autobiography by any First Lady. We have a woman who was divorced, had a healthy sex life with Gerry, four normal children who she admitted were less than perfect and she spent the White House years drunk. I actually liked Betty Ford after reading this.
February 1, 2023
I found this to be a really great introduction into the life of First Lady Betty Ford. Her personality really shined through in all of her various stories and while not everything she wrote was politically correct for the year 2023, she was actually pretty progressive for her time (particularly for a Republican). I found her openness to talk about seeing a therapist, going to rehab, and getting a mastectomy to be very brave and authentic. I also think that overall her views on abortion and women’s rights were way more liberal than current Republican beliefs. I found myself at times wishing that I could be her friend as she seemed very relatable and likable!
August 27, 2011
Funny, interesting and touching read of her life. You can't help but love her.
August 2, 2010
Betty Ford has a wonderful author's voice. She is a feisty, funny First Lady who has an great story to tell.
January 25, 2011
a very honest book!
February 18, 2025
I picked up this book for my library’s bingo challenge “read a book published the year of your birth.”
I knew almost nothing about Betty Ford before this book, most of my prior knowledge being that she went to rehab. While that was the last chapter of the book, her life was so much more than that one chapter.
She was a dancer, a model, a clothing buyer for a department store. She was a wife twice. She was a mother to four children. Her oldest son was born 12 days after my dad was born. She was a political wife for 28 years. Most of the time with an absentee husband who was out giving speeches. She was a breast cancer survivor. She championed for “r word” children. She was sassy and had her own political beliefs that didn’t necessarily line up with her husband’s views. Her greatest regret of his presidency was not getting a female on the Supreme Court.
Chapter 1 was about the saddest day in her life - the day Jerry Ford Jr was sworn in as President. Ford being the only President never to have been elected. He was Vice President for a few months after Spiro Agnew resigned and then President after Richard Nixon resigned. While Betty did eventually end up enjoying being First Lady who campaigned hard for the 1976 election, Ford did not win versus Jimmy Carter.
The book was a little disjointed. Some chapters really flowed, others felt choppy. It felt like a fast read in a conversational tone, yet I’d look at the pages and realize I’d only read 4 pages. It was a good exercise in reading something different and I enjoyed learning something new about this extraordinarily “regular” lady who was thrust into the limelight.
I knew almost nothing about Betty Ford before this book, most of my prior knowledge being that she went to rehab. While that was the last chapter of the book, her life was so much more than that one chapter.
She was a dancer, a model, a clothing buyer for a department store. She was a wife twice. She was a mother to four children. Her oldest son was born 12 days after my dad was born. She was a political wife for 28 years. Most of the time with an absentee husband who was out giving speeches. She was a breast cancer survivor. She championed for “r word” children. She was sassy and had her own political beliefs that didn’t necessarily line up with her husband’s views. Her greatest regret of his presidency was not getting a female on the Supreme Court.
Chapter 1 was about the saddest day in her life - the day Jerry Ford Jr was sworn in as President. Ford being the only President never to have been elected. He was Vice President for a few months after Spiro Agnew resigned and then President after Richard Nixon resigned. While Betty did eventually end up enjoying being First Lady who campaigned hard for the 1976 election, Ford did not win versus Jimmy Carter.
The book was a little disjointed. Some chapters really flowed, others felt choppy. It felt like a fast read in a conversational tone, yet I’d look at the pages and realize I’d only read 4 pages. It was a good exercise in reading something different and I enjoyed learning something new about this extraordinarily “regular” lady who was thrust into the limelight.
August 7, 2019
Much more breezy and casual than Rosalynn Carter's, Nancy Reagan of Barbara Bush's White House memoirs. These pages reflect the fun loving and at times controversial Betty we knew in the White House. While her heroic battle and honesty about breast cancer are detailed here, her addiction to alcohol and pain killers lands with force in the final chapter-a painful and emotional intervention by her family after the White House years and subsequent treatment. Beneath that public smile was much pain.
January 22, 2023
Entertaining and honest autobiography by Betty Ford. She's very candid about her early life, family life with Gerald and the kids and then about being First Lady. Some stories she tells are very humorous and heartwarming. I also learned a few things I did not know about the attempts on President Ford's life. No spoilers, sorry. If you want a fun, honest autobiography on one of the understated first ladies then this is for you. I never knew how hard working and fearless she was.
June 7, 2024
I found myself more and more impressed by Betty Ford as I read this book. She was pro-choice and fought for the ERA and women’s rights. She was a progressive Republican—more progressive than many current Republicans. She also called attention to breast cancer and substance abuse.
Sadly, reading this autobiography reminded me of how backwards the country is heading right now. We could use a figure like Betty Ford today.
Sadly, reading this autobiography reminded me of how backwards the country is heading right now. We could use a figure like Betty Ford today.
March 26, 2019
Not crazy about the writing style; a bit on the boring side. Really didn't learn much from the book except she loved to shop, had lots of clothes and Clara Powell was more of a Mother to her 4 children than she was when they were growing up.
June 19, 2021
A nice read about the life of Betty Ford. A humorous and serious look her role as a First Lady- her experiences and the impact she had on her many causes. She comes across so matter of fact, but had some amazing stories!
October 24, 2022
#117 of 120 books during 2022
October 30, 2023
A very interesting read.
April 28, 2024
Maybe not a literary masterpiece or a probing historical analysis, but worth the read for Betty Ford herself. I'm glad I read it.
December 8, 2024
It was hard to get through this book. The author jumped around alot. The last chapter was well written.
March 14, 2025
Fascinating book! I learned a lot about the Ford family. Highly recommended!
December 3, 2022
I love Betty Ford, and it’s a tragedy she’s so often overlooked. Her biography was enlightening but not overly grandiose. She’s honest about her thoughts while still maintaining a certain level of privacy and decency. She’s open about her struggles with addiction, but, as this book was published shortly after her stay in rehab, it’s not as fleshed out as we see in later works on the First Lady’s life.
Despite not craving the Oval Office, Betty rose to the occasion. This book highlights her journey from free spirited dancer to the United State’s most prominent woman. We see her struggles as she strives to become a dancer, survives a failed marriage, raises a family as a politician’s wife, and copes with addiction exacerbated by over medication from uninformed doctors. There are certainly a few statements in the book I disagree with, but Betty was ahead of her time on most social and cultural matters. I can only wonder what she might have been able to accomplish has her husband earned another four years as president.
Despite not craving the Oval Office, Betty rose to the occasion. This book highlights her journey from free spirited dancer to the United State’s most prominent woman. We see her struggles as she strives to become a dancer, survives a failed marriage, raises a family as a politician’s wife, and copes with addiction exacerbated by over medication from uninformed doctors. There are certainly a few statements in the book I disagree with, but Betty was ahead of her time on most social and cultural matters. I can only wonder what she might have been able to accomplish has her husband earned another four years as president.
October 3, 2013
“The Times of My Life” is Betty Ford’s memoir of life, with all its successes and failures, joys and heartaches. Betty tells her story forthrightly, without any apparent cover-ups. She tells of her girlhood, her dancing career, her failed first marriage, her life with Jerry and her own recovery from breast cancer and later her alcohol and drug dependency. It is the story of a fairly ordinary woman and family thrust into extraordinary circumstances without losing the common touch.
There are neither salacious confessions nor gossip. Family details are discussed, but no significant new information is disclosed. The writing is straightforward and an easy read. I read this in preparation for a continuing ed class on Gerald R. Ford and found it to be somewhat helpful for that. Coupled with Jerry’s “A Time To Heal” (see my Amazon review) the reader will gain an insight into the family who helped America face breast cancer, diseases and to heal itself from the wounds of Watergate and Vietnam. Together they give us a peak into the Ford family room.
There are neither salacious confessions nor gossip. Family details are discussed, but no significant new information is disclosed. The writing is straightforward and an easy read. I read this in preparation for a continuing ed class on Gerald R. Ford and found it to be somewhat helpful for that. Coupled with Jerry’s “A Time To Heal” (see my Amazon review) the reader will gain an insight into the family who helped America face breast cancer, diseases and to heal itself from the wounds of Watergate and Vietnam. Together they give us a peak into the Ford family room.
January 8, 2009
Why did I read this book? I ask myself that question now. Well, ok the truth is I hoped to hear about the whole alcohol addiction thing though it might be interesting. Here is what I learned and should have known: if you want to know something taboo about someone's life DON'T read the book that they wrote, they won't talk about it in trying to hide it or not make it as bad as it was.
It was an ok book. Decently written and edited, just not really interesting. She talks about her and Gerald Ford's entrance into politics. His rise to the presidency, what she did while in the white house and alot about the strength of her marriage. Didn't not enjoy it but didn't enjoy it either, leading to why I am not sure I read it.
It was an ok book. Decently written and edited, just not really interesting. She talks about her and Gerald Ford's entrance into politics. His rise to the presidency, what she did while in the white house and alot about the strength of her marriage. Didn't not enjoy it but didn't enjoy it either, leading to why I am not sure I read it.
July 17, 2011
The former first lady's death prompted me to reread this old book. Betty Ford was an ordinary woman, wife, mother who was very outspoken and candid for her time. She changed attitudes about women, breast cancer and addictions. I may not agree with her about some things, but I sure admire her candor! If you are traveling in Michigan, don't miss the Ford Presidential Library.
August 28, 2010
I thought this book would enlighten me about aloholism and help me better understand those who suffer from the disease. Not only did the book not address it, I found it hard to finish just because of the writing style.
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July 29, 200892F
July 19, 2010
She was a self-centered party girl.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews