but she became first lady the day richard nixon resigned. it was, she said, the saddest day of her life. i am indebted to no man and only to one woman, dear wife. i didn t know what i was getting into and i don t think there s anything that can prepare you for it. suddenly america wanted to know all about betty ford. mrs. ford was born in chicago, lived most of her life in grand rapids, michigan. she married gerald ford in 1948, a few weeks before he was elected to congress. they raised a family that became america s first family as regular as the neighbors next door. from the beginning, betty ford spoke her mind. i think it s time the women step up. this first white house press conference terrified her, but nothing compared to what came seven weeks later. betty ford underwent surgery for breast cancer on saturday. dr. luke ash has assured me that she came through the operation all right. betty ford openly and kraj yously faced breast cancer and a radica