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1683333
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Biographies - President, First Lady, and Susan Ford
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1683333
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Biographies - President, First Lady, and Susan Ford
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Robert T. Hartmann Files
Robert Hartmann's General Subject Files
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1975-05-31
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1975
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1974-08-01
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1974
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The original documents are located in Box 9, folder "Biographies - President, First Lady,
and Susan Ford" of the Robert T. Hartmann Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential
Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 9 of the Robert T. Hartmann Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
The First Lady
MRS. GERALD R. FORD (Elizabeth Anne Bloomer) was born in Chicago,
Illinois, on April 8, 1918, the daughter of Hortense and William
Stephenson Bloomer. She moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, with
her family, when she was three years old.
At the age of eight, Betty Bloomer began studying dance, which
developed into a lifelong interest. After graduation from Central
High School in Grand Rapids in 1936, she attended two summer
sessions of the Bennington School of Dance in Vermont, where she
first met Martha Graham. She continued her dance career with
Miss Graham in New York City, eventually as a member of the
Martha Graham Concert group. She also modeled part-time with
the John Powers Agency.
Betty Bloomer returned to Grand Rapids in 1941 and became a
fashion coordinator for a department store. She also formed
her own dance group and taught dance to handicapped children.
On October 15, 1948, she married Gerald R. Ford, who was elected
to the U. S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 5th District
only weeks after their wedding.
The Fords lived in Alexandria, Virginia and became the parents
of four children. Mrs. Ford's activities during the 1950's
and 1960's concentrated on her husband and family. Keeping up
with three sons, Mike, Jack, Steve, and daughter, Susan, left
time only for extensive involvement with the Republican Party
and the Episcopal Church.
Her husband's confirmation as Vice President in 1973 brought
new responsibilities, which increased when he became President
in August 1974.
As First Lady, Mrs. Ford has continued her interest in the arts
and handcrafts and focused attention on handicapped children
and women's issues.
#
#
#
MEMORANDUM
The
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 21, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR BOB HARTMANN
FROM:
JACK HUSHEN
SUBJECT:
THE PRESIDENT'S BIOGRAPHY
Attached is the revised biography of President Ford in which we
corrected the birthdate of Michael Ford and changed the wording
around the President's nomination and confirmation for the
Vice Presidency.
It is sent to you for your information.
Attachment
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
BIOGRAPHY OF THE PRESIDENT
GERALD R. FORD, Republican 38th President of the United States, was
born in Omaha, Nebraska, July 14, 1913; attended public schools, Grand
Rapids, Michigan; B.A., University of Michigan, 1935; L. L. B., Yale
University Law School, 1941; won all-city and all-state football honors in
Grand Rapids during high school; member of University of Michigan's
national championship football teams, 1932, 1933; Michigan's most valuable
player, 1934; assistant varsity football coach at Yale while law student
there; in 1942 entered the U.S. Navy, serving 47 months during World War II;
participated in 3rd and 5th Fleet carrier operations aboard the aircraft
carrier U.S.S. Monterey for two years; discharged 1946 and resumed practice
of law; elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 1948 and reelected every
two years through 1972, serving 25 years in House; named in November 1963
to the Presidential Commission investigating the assassination of
President John F. Kennedy; author (with John R. Stiles) of the book,
"Portrait of the Assassin" (1965); permanent chairman of the 1968 and
1972 Republican National Conventions; visited The People's Republic of
China in late June and early July 1972 on behalf of President Nixon;
recipient of American Political Science Association's Distinguished
Congressional Service Award, 1961; recipient of American Good Government
Society's George Washington Award, 1966; recipient of American Academy
of Achievement's Golden Plate Award as "giant of accomplishment, " 1971;
recipient of AMVETS Silver Helmet Award, 1971; recipient of honorary
Doctor of Laws degrees from University of Michigan, Michigan State
University, Western Michigan University, The Citadel, and numerous
colleges; married Elizabeth Bloomer October 15, 1948; children:
Michael Gerald, born March 14, 1950; John Gardner, March 16, 1952;
Steven Meigs, May 19, 1956; and Susan Elizabeth, July 6, 1957; Chairman
of the Republican Conference, 88th Congress; minority Leader, 89th, 90th,
91st, 92nd and 1st Session, 93rd Congresses; nominated Vice President on
October 12, 1973, to succeed Spiro T. Agnew, who resigned, and confirmed
December 6; succeeded to the Presidency August 9, 1974, following the
resignation of Richard M. Nixon.
#
#
#
9/21/74
There is a later ane than
Office of the White House Press Secretary
this,
THE WHITE HOUSE
BIOGRAPHY OF THE PRESIDENT
GERALD R. FORD, Republican 38th President of the United States, was
born in Omaha, Nebraska, July 14, 1913; attended public schools, Grand
Rapids, Michigan; B.A., University of Michigan, 1935; L. L. B., Yale
University Law School, 1941; won all-city and all-state football honors in
Grand Rapids during high school; member of University of Michigan's
national championship football teams, 1932, 1933; Michigan's most valuable
player, 1934; assistant varsity football coach at Yale while law student
there; in 1942 entered the U.S. Navy, serving 47 months during World War II;
participated in 3rd and 5th Fleet carrier operations aboard the aircraft
carrier U.S.S. Monterey for two years; discharged 1946 and resumed practice
of law; elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 1948 and reelected every
two years through 1972, serving 25 years in House; named in November 1963
to the Presidential Commission investigating the assassination of
President John F. Kennedy; author (with John R. Stiles) of the book,
"Portrait of the Assassin" (1965); permanent chairman of the 1968 and
1972 Republican National Conventions; visited The People's Republic of
China in late June and early July 1972 on behalf of President Nixon;
recipient of American Political Science Association's Distinguished
Congressional Service Award, 1961; recipient of American Good Government
Society's George Washington Award, 1966; recipient of American Academy
of Achievement's Golden Plate Award as "giant of accomplishment, 1971;
recipient of AMVETS Silver Helmet Award, 1971; recipient of honorary
Doctor of Laws degrees from University of Michigan, Michigan State
University, Western Michigan University, The Citadel, and numerous
colleges; married Elizabeth Bloomer October 15, 1948; children:
Michael Gerald, born March 14, 1950; John Gardner, March 16, 1952;
Steven Meigs, May 19, 1956; and Susan Elizabeth, July 6, 1957; Chairman
of the Republican Conference, 88th Congress; minority Leader, 89th, 90th,
91st, 92nd and 1st Session, 93rd Congresses; nominated Vice President on
October 12, 1973, to succeed Spiro T. Agnew, who resigned, and confirmed
December 6; succeeded to the Presidency August 9, 1974, following the
resignation of Richard M. Nixon.
#
#
#
LIBRARY GERALD FORD
9/21/74
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 2, 1975
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
SUSAN ELIZABETH FORD
Biographical Data
The youngest of the Ford offspring and the only daughter, 17-year old
Susan Ford is a senior at the Holton Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland.
She was born at Columbia Womens Hospital in Washington, D.C. on July
6, 1957. She attended the Episcopal Kindergarten of Immanuel Church-
on-the-Hill, the church in Alexandria, Virginia, to which the Fords belong.
First through sixth grades were spent at Douglas MacArthur Elementary
School, and seventh and eighth grades at Howard Middle School. (Both
schools are in Alexandria). She started as a freshman at Holton Arms.
Susan is a sports enthusiast and enjoys skiing, water skiing, swimming,
biking, horseback riding and tennis. Among other hobbies are cooking,
photography and needlepoint. She also enjoys caring for a growing family
of plants, which now number 30 and fill a large corner of the Solarium,
the Ford's family room in the White House.
Susan started modern dance classes when she was eight and continued
through the sixth grade. She has since taken classes an both modern
dance and ballet.
The 5'8" blond is fond of animals and has in her charge a Siamese cat
named Shan and a golden retriever named Liberty. Susan's previous
pets have included various rabbits, dogs, a fish, snakes and gerbils.
Susan worked the summer of 1973 selling guide books for the White House
Historical Associ ation and has also worked as a babysitter and answering
phones for a medical telethon. She took two courses during the summer
of 1974. Earlier summers have been spent at Camp Arbutus near Traverse
City, Michigan, and Camp Robin Hood in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
At Holton Arms, Susan is a member of the Photography Club and is taking
a photography class. As a freshman, she was one of six students chosen
as an honor tour guide and has continued giving tours to parents and pro-
spective students each year. She was elected to the yearbook staff as a
senior and is working in the advertising, management and business end of
the book.
Susan would like to attend Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C. and
is considering the possibility of a career in chi Id care or fashion. She
has visited many hospitals and childrens centers and is particularly interested
in the education of mentally retarded and emotionally disturbed children.
#
#
#
0.0
Latest biog.
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
Biography of the President
GERALD R. FORD, 38th President of the United States, was born
in Omaha, Nebraska, July 14, 1913. He attended public schools
in Grand Rapids, Michigan; received a Bachelor of Arts degree
from the University of Michigan in 1935; and an LL.B. from Yale
University Law School in 1941.
In 1942 he entered the U. S. Navy, serving almost four years
during World War II and participated in 3rd and 5th Fleet carrier
operations aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Monterey for two
years. He was discharged in 1946 and resumed the practice of law.
President Ford was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives
in 1948 and reelected every two years through 1972, serving 25
years in the House. He was elected Chairman of the Republican
Conference in 1963 and chosen Minority Leader in 1965. He also
was permanent chairman of the 1968 and 1972 Republican National
Conventions.
In November 1963, he was made a member of the Presidential
Commission investigating the assassination of President John
F. Kennedy and authored (with John R. Stiles) the book, Portrait
of the Assassin (1965).
President Ford was nominated Vice President on October 12, 1973,
to succeed Spiro T. Agnew, who resigned, and was confirmed
December 6. He succeeded to the Presidency August 9, 1974,
following the resignation of Richard Nixon.
President Ford is the recipient of the following awards:
American Political Science Association's Distinguished
Congressional Service Award, 1961.
American Good Government Society's George Washington Award, 1966
American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award as
"Giant of Accomplishment", 1971
AMVETS Silver Helmet Award, 1971
Boy Scouts of America "Silver Buffalo Award" for distinguished
service to our country and its youth, 1975
He has received Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from:
University of Pennsylvania
Notre Dame University
Ohio State University
BERALD FORD VIDRARY
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Western Michigan University
The Citadel
(and numerous colleges)
- 2 -
President Ford received all-city and all-state football honors
in Grand Rapids during high school, and he was a member of the
University of Michigan's national championship football teams
in 1932 and 1933. In 1934 he was named the University of
Michigan's most valuable player. He served as assistant varsity
football coach at Yale while a law student there.
He married Elizabeth Bloomer on October 15, 1948, and they
are the parents of four children:
Michael Gerald
Born March 14, 1950
John Gardner
Born March 16, 1952
Steven Meigs
Born May 19, 1956
Susan Elizabeth
Born July 6, 1957
#
#
#
February 1976
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
Biography of the President
GERALD R. FORD, 38th President of the United States, was born
in Omaha, Nebraska, July 14, 1913. He attended public schools
in Grand Rapids, Michigan; received a Bachelor of Arts degree
from the University of Michigan in 1935; and an LL.B. from Yale
University Law School in 1941.
In 1942 he entered the U. S. Navy, serving almost four years
during World War II and participated in 3rd and 5th Fleet carrier
operations aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Monterey for two
years. He was discharged in 1946 and resumed the practice of law.
President Ford was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives
in 1948 and reelected every two years through 1972, serving 25
years in the House. He was elected Chairman of the Republican
Conference in 1963 and chosen Minority Leader in 1965. He also
was permanent chairman of the 1968 and 1972 Republican National
Conventions.
In November 1963, he was made a member of the Presidential
Commission investigating the assassination of President John
F. Kennedy and authored (with John R. Stiles) the book, Portrait
of the Assassin (1965).
President Ford was nominated Vice President on October 12, 1973,
to succeed Spiro T. Agnew, who resigned, and was confirmed
December 6. He succeeded to the Presidency August 9, 1974,
following the resignation of Richard Nixon.
President Ford is the recipient of the following awards:
American Political Science Association's Distinguished
Congressional Service Award, 1961.
American Good Government Society's George Washington Award, 1966
American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award as
"Giant of Accomplishment", 1971
AMVETS Silver Helmet Award, 1971
Boy Scouts of America "Silver Buffalo Award" for distinguished
service to our country and its youth, 1975
He has received Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from:
University of Pennsylvania
Notre Dame University
Ohio State University
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Western Michigan University
The Citadel
(and numerous colleges)
- 2 -
President Ford received all-city and all-state football honors
in Grand Rapids during high school, and he was a member of the
University of Michigan's national championship football teams
in 1932 and 1933. In 1934 he was named the University of
Michigan's most valuable player. He served as assistant varsity
football coach at Yale while a law student there.
He married Elizabeth Bloomer on October 15, 1948, and they
are the parents of four children:
Michael Gerald
Born March 14, 1950
John Gardner
Born March 16, 1952
Steven Meigs
Born May 19, 1956
Susan Elizabeth
Born July 6, 1957
#
#
#
February 1976
Office of Mrs. Ford's Press Secretary
Telephone (202) 456-2164
MRS. GERALD R. FORD
Birthdate: April 8, 1918
Mrs. Betty Ford came to the White House determined to make the
mansion as warm, friendly, and open as the Ford family homes
have always been. Her own lively interests in the arts, handi-
capped children and women's rights have been combined with a focus
on home and family life.
Mrs. Ford was born Elizabeth Anne Bloomer in Chicago, Illinois.
Her family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, when she was three
and she began her study of dance there when she was eight. After
graduating from high school in 1936, Mrs. Ford attended two summer
sessions of the Bennington School of Dance, where she first met
Martha Graham. Her. dance career continued in New York City, where
she joined one of Miss Graham's troups and modeled with the John
Powers Agency.
She returned to Grand Rapids in 1941 and became fashion coordinator
for a local department store. She also formed her own dance group
and taught dance to handicapped children.
Only weeks after their 1948 marriage, Gerald and Betty Ford moved
to Washington, where he began his political career as representative
from Michigan's 5th District and she began hers as a wife and mother.
Within seven years, the four children were born.
During the 1950's and 1960's, Betty Ford's world centered on her
active family of three sons and one daughter. Her outside activities
primarily involved the Episcopal Church and the Republican Party.
Three years ago with the two younger children almost out of high
school, Mrs. Ford thought of going back to work outside the home.
But before she found such a job, her husband became Vice-President
and in August, 1974, President. Those jobs gave her new responsi-
bilities which used her experience in entertaining, meeting people,
and keeping a busy schedule.
In White House entertaining, Mrs. Ford has relaxed the official
style to make it more people-oriented. The decorations often are
American handicrafts, and the guest lists reflect the diverse
interests of the entire Ford family.
Mrs. Ford's lifelong enthusiasm for the arts has shown up in decora-
tions, White House guests, and, most especially, in her own involve-
ment in artistic events. Her schedule shows an active interest in
handicapped children and her statements a firm commitment to women's
rights.
Today, the Ford home has a very special address, and as President
and First Lady, Gerald and Betty Ford have unique responsibilities.
But the Fords and their four children, Mike, 25, Jack, 23, Steve, 19,
and Susan, 18, continue to be a close-knit family despite geographical
separations.
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2/76