Family, friends, historians and Betty Ford herself reflect on her life as a political spouse; an accidental and outspoken first lady; breast cancer survivor; and feminist pro-choice Republican in "Betty Ford: The Real Deal," a one-hour biography which originally aired in March 2009.
Diagnosed with breast cancer less than a month after becoming First Lady, her openness about her treatment raised awareness of the disease and saved lives by prompting thousands of women to schedule mammograms.
Later, her influence coupled with her openness of her own struggles would once again have a positive impact on millions of Americans. Mrs. Ford and her children recount her troubles with alcohol and substance abuse and the family intervention which lead the way, not only to her recovery, but to the establishment of the pioneering treatment facility which bears her name.
Narrated by award-winning actress Jane Alexander, "Betty Ford: The Real Deal," features never before seen photos and film footage, plus interviews with Mrs. Ford, her four children and close friends; as wells as interviews with, among others, presidential historians Michael Beschloss, Richard Norton Smith, and; former White House photographer David Hume Kennerly.