![](https://karsh.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Yousuf-Karsh-Betty-Ford-1977-01.jpg)
Betty Ford was photographed by Karsh during a Sitting with her husband, President Gerald Ford, right at the end of his presidency, in January, 1977. She was the first lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977. As first lady, she was active in social policy and set a precedent as a politically active presidential spouse. Ford also was the second lady of the United States from 1973 to 1974 when her husband was vice president. Betty Ford died on this day, July 8, in 2011 (b. 1918).