Betty Ford Quotes

When I say we've had an ideal marriage, I'm not just talking about physical attraction, which I can imagine can wear pretty thin if it's all a couple has built on. We've had that and a whole lot more.

It's always been my feeling that God lends you your children until they're about eighteen years old. If you haven't made your points with them by then, it's too late.

A liberated woman is one who feels confident in herself, and is happy in what she is doing. She is a person who has a sense of self-it all comes down to a freedom of choice.

The search for human freedom can never be complete without freedom for women.

I know I was an alcoholic because I was preoccupied whether alcohol was going to be served or not.

Any woman should have the right to a safe and legal abortion.

A housewife deserves to be honored as much as a woman who earns her living in the marketplace. I consider bringing up children a responsible job. In fact, being a good housewife seems to me a much tougher job than going to the office and getting paid for it.

I don't feel that because I'm First Lady, I'm very different from what I was before. It can happen to anyone. After all, it has happened to anyone.

I had thought I would hate being First Lady ... I loved it.

I don't look at what I've lost. I look instead at what I have left.

I've learned a lot about myself. Most of it is all right. When I add up the pluses and subtract the minuses, I still come out pretty well.

Not my power, but the power of the position, a power which could be used to help.

And I have always told the patients when I talk to them. When they come around and say, 'What will you have to drink? Oh that's right you don't drink.' Just speak up and say, 'Of course I drink. But I just don't drink alcohol.'

We're full all the time. And people do have good success and I think one of the programs at the center, the Continuing Care, helps them with their success. Because it's difficult the first year.

I feel it's important to be active. People who retire, sit by their swimming pool and golf course and plan to relax have a very empty life.

That's what we're here on this Earth for, to help others.

I believe the equal rights amendment is a necessity of life for all citizens. The cabinet sometimes felt that I shouldn't be so outspoken.

I think once I made up my mind that I was allergic to alcohol, and that's what I learned, it made sense to me. And I think it was kind of pointed out that you know if you were allergic to strawberries, you wouldn't eat strawberries. And that made sense to me.

You can make it, but it's easier if you don't have to do it alone.

Having babies is a blessing, not a duty,

You never know what you can do until you have to do it.

This is a place where you can go, that you can feel safe and look inside yourself and discover yourself.

The problem with drugs is that people forget to stop doing them. There's a time and a place for everything, Mr. Mackey, and it's called college.

Holding these babies in my arms makes me realize the miracle my husband and I began.

Being a lady does not require silence.

Alcohol may pick you up a little bit, but it lets you down in a hurry.