This person died in 2011, age 93. She spoke openly in support of the Equal Rights Amendment, endorsed legalized abortion, and discussed premarital sex. Her dependency on pills began in 1964 after a neck injury, and her drinking worsened as her husband’s political career advanced. When Gerald Ford lost the 1976 election, it was she who read the official concession speech with smiling grace. Today’s dead celebrity is Betty Ford.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Episode 48 What About Bob (Bob Dole) and Episode 47 Proud Mary (Mary Tyler Moore).

Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Evan Sherer and features guest co-host Wiley Hodges.

LINKS:

Transcript of this episode

CBS Remembrance of Betty Ford

Short segment of 1974 60 Minutes Interview

Betty Ford’s Lecture on Addiction and Recovery at Hazelton

Betty Ford cameo on the Mary Tyler Moore Show

The Simpsons I’m Checking In

Dead or Alive quiz game

Famous & Gravy on Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads

Famous & Gravy official website

In this episode, Famous & Gravy reframes Betty Ford's story through the lens of mortality and cultural memory as part of a famous lives reframed and known for obituary-based storytelling, emphasizing creative output, generational relevance, and emotional reach. This episode offers a layered look at how we remember — and reinterpret — famous lives. This celebrity podcast explores celebrity obituary podcast and contributes to dead celebrity podcast.

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