JERRY FORD MARRIES BETTY BLOOMER
Grand Rapids (JFK+50) On October 15, 1948, Gerald R. Ford*, the future 38th President of the United States, married Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Bloomer** at Grace Episcopal Church here in Grand Rapids.
It was the second marriage for Betty who was divorced from her first husband on September 22, 1947. Mr. Ford, who was a first-time candidate for Congress, delayed the ceremony until just a few weeks prior to election day.
The New York Times reported...
"Jerry.. wasn't sure how the voters might feel about his marrying a divorced ex-dancer."
The newlyweds moved to the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. after Jerry's election to Congress where they would live for the next quarter of a century. They had 4 children, 3 sons and a daughter. The Fords were married 58 years upon the former president's passing.
*Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford (1913-2006) was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He was an All-American football star at Michigan & earned his law degree from Yale in 1941. GF served in the navy during WW II & was elected to the House of Representatives in 1948 where he served as Minority Leader from 1965 to 1973. He was selected by President Nixon to replace VP Agnew in 1974 & assumed the presidency when Nixon resigned.
**Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Bloomer Ford (1918-2011) was born in Chicago. She grew up in Grand Rapids, MI and graduated from a dance studio in 1935. While continuing her dance studies, she worked as a fashion model in New York City.
Betty and Jerry Ford
After the Wedding Ceremony
October 15, 1948
Ford Presidential Library
The Fords and The Bushs
90th Birthday Celebration
White House Photo
