'Fighting First Lady' Betty Ford Dies At 93

Betty Ford, the widow of former US president Gerald Ford and co-founder of one of the world's best known rehab clinics, has died aged 93.

President Barack Obama led tributes to the former first lady praising her courage and compassion.

He said: "As our nation's First Lady, she was a powerful advocate for women's health and women's rights.

"After leaving the White House, Mrs Ford helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction and inspired thousands to seek much-needed treatment."

Mrs Ford's friend Nancy Reagan, wife of former president Ronald , said: "She has been an inspiration to so many through her efforts to educate women about breast cancer and her wonderful work at the Betty Ford Centre.

"She was Jerry Ford's strength through some very difficult days in our country's history, and I admired her courage in facing and sharing her personal struggles with all of us."

Mrs Ford was once dubbed the "fighting first lady" because of her outspoken political views, which often differed from those of her husband's Republican Party.

She strongly supported women's rights while she was in the White House, working the phones in a vain attempt to get states to pass the Equal Rights Amendment.

The amendment sought to give women and men equality under law. Her candour was surprising for the time.

She took a tolerant stance on abortion and admitted without shame that some of her children had tried marijuana.

Mrs Ford also was an early campaigner against breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy in 1974, less than two months after her husband succeeded Richard Nixon.

Her problems with addiction may have begun in 1964, when doctors prescribed her painkillers for a pinched nerve.

She developed an addiction to prescription drugs and also became dependent on alcohol during the 1960s.

The Betty Ford Centre in California came into being after Mrs Ford herself was treated for her addictions at the US Naval Hospital at Long Beach.

Mr Ford, the 38th President of the United States who held office from 1974 to 1977, died in December 2006.