Betty Bloomer grew up in Michigan and married Gerald Ford in 1948. Young Betty developed an independent spirit and revealed herself to be a gifted dancer.

With her new husband in Congress, Betty Ford began to learn the role of a politician's wife while struggling to raise four children with an often-absent partner.

Throughout their term in the White House, the Fords' life was documented by photographer David Kennerly. This slideshow highlights some of his images from the Ford White House.