The $1 Divorce: 5 Surprising Facts About Betty Ford's First Husband, William C. Warren

Elizabeth "Betty" Bloomer Ford is universally remembered as a groundbreaking First Lady and the courageous founder of the Betty Ford Center, an institution that redefined the national conversation on addiction. However, before her iconic 48-year marriage to President Gerald R. Ford, she was married to a man whose name is often relegated to a footnote in history: William C. Warren. This five-year, tumultuous first marriage was far more than a youthful mistake; it was a foundational period of struggle and independence that quietly shaped the woman who would later become one of the most candid and influential figures in American political history.

As of late 2025, the life of Betty Ford continues to be re-examined through biographies and dramatic portrayals, such as the Showtime series "The First Lady," which brings this early, challenging chapter of her life back into the public eye. Understanding her first husband, William C. Warren, is essential to grasping the full scope of Betty Ford's resilience and her eventual, trailblazing advocacy.

William C. Warren: A Brief Biography and Marriage Timeline

William C. Warren, often referred to as Bill Warren, was the man who first married the future First Lady, then known as Elizabeth Ann Bloomer.

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• Full Name: William Cornelius Warren
• Born: Circa 1917, Michigan, United States
• Died: August 17, 1989
• Parents: Earl Adam Warren and Lena Warren
• Profession: Furniture salesman and dealer (some sources also list insurance agent)
• First Met Betty Bloomer: When she was 12 years old.
• Marriage Date: 1942 (Betty was 24)
• Residence During Marriage: Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Maumee, Ohio, among other cities, due to his job.
• Divorce Date: September 22, 1947
• Grounds for Divorce: Incompatibility
• Subsequent Marriage: Details are unconfirmed in public records, but he lived until 1989.

The Turbulent Five-Year Marriage That Forged a First Lady

The marriage between Betty Bloomer and William C. Warren lasted just over five years, from 1942 to 1947, and was characterized by instability and profound challenges. This period stands in stark contrast to the stable political partnership she would later forge with Gerald Ford. The couple's initial dynamic was complicated by Warren’s career in furniture sales, which required frequent moves across the country, preventing Betty from establishing a stable professional life in her beloved dance career.

1. The Struggle with Illness and Alleged Addiction

One of the most significant strains on the marriage was William C. Warren's declining health. He was known to suffer from acute diabetes, a condition that led to a severe health crisis during their time together. In a dramatic turn, just as Betty was contemplating filing for divorce, Warren fell seriously ill, reportedly slipping into a coma. Betty, demonstrating the fortitude she would later be known for, postponed the divorce and took on the role of primary caregiver and sole financial provider for nearly two years while he recovered.

Furthermore, historical accounts suggest Warren struggled with alcoholism, a detail that adds a poignant layer of irony to Betty Ford’s later life. The exposure to a partner's struggles with addiction and chronic illness during this early, formative marriage likely provided a deeply personal context for her future advocacy work, which culminated in the founding of the world-renowned Betty Ford Center. This personal experience with the devastating effects of substance abuse became an unexpected, yet powerful, foundation for her public service.

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2. The "Incompatibility" and the $1 Token Settlement

When the divorce was finally finalized in September 1947, the legal grounds were cited as "incompatibility." This term, while legally standard, masked the deeper issues of financial strain, health crises, and fundamental differences in lifestyle and ambition. Betty, who had returned to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and found work as a fashion coordinator and dance teacher, was ready to move on with her life.

The financial terms of the separation were symbolically telling. Betty Ford received a "token settlement" of just $1. This minimal financial arrangement underscored her independence and her desire for a clean break, indicating she was not seeking financial gain but simply freedom from the marriage. The $1 settlement is a stark historical detail that highlights her self-reliance and determination to forge her own path, a trait that would define her tenure as First Lady.

The Legacy of the First Marriage in Modern Pop Culture

While William C. Warren's life after the divorce is largely absent from public record—he passed away in 1989, over 40 years after their separation—the marriage itself has seen a resurgence in public interest thanks to modern media.

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3. Re-Examining the Marriage in "The First Lady"

The 2022 Showtime anthology series, "The First Lady," which starred Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, brought the narrative of the first marriage to a new generation. The series dramatized the challenges Betty faced, including Warren's illness and the difficulties of their itinerant life. The show's focus on this early period helped to frame Betty Ford's life not just as a political spouse, but as a woman who overcame significant personal hurdles long before reaching the White House.

The portrayal served to underscore that Betty Ford's story was "dramatic" and complex from the start, making her the subject of renewed biographical interest beyond her political years. For many viewers, the existence of a prior marriage, particularly one marked by the very issues (addiction and illness) she would later champion, was a surprising revelation, adding depth to her public persona as an activist.

4. Shaping the Icon: From Bloomer to Ford

The end of the marriage to William C. Warren served as a critical inflection point. Just a few months after the divorce was finalized, Betty Bloomer began dating Gerald R. Ford, a local lawyer and decorated World War II veteran who was preparing for his first run for Congress. The contrast between the two relationships was significant: Warren’s life was characterized by instability and illness, while Ford offered a sense of ambition, stability, and partnership.

Betty's willingness to divorce in the 1940s, a time when it was far less common and carried a greater social stigma, showcased her independent spirit. This early decision to prioritize her own well-being over social convention foreshadowed the outspoken, candid, and often controversial First Lady she would become. Her openness about her own struggles, including her later battles with prescription drug and alcohol addiction, was a direct extension of the resilience she developed during her difficult first marriage.

5. The Forgotten Chapter of Elizabeth Bloomer Warren

In her later years, Betty Ford herself often downplayed or dismissed the marriage, reportedly insisting that she could remember very little about it. This suggests the five years spent as Elizabeth Bloomer Warren were a painful or insignificant chapter she preferred to leave behind. The details of William C. Warren’s subsequent life remain obscured, a stark contrast to the intensely public life of his ex-wife.

Ultimately, William C. Warren is a figure whose primary historical significance lies not in his own achievements, but in the role he played in the narrative of a future American icon. The challenges of their marriage provided the First Lady with a personal wellspring of empathy and strength, equipping her with the unique voice and authority needed to tackle issues of addiction and women's rights on the national stage. The $1 divorce was arguably the most valuable investment she ever made in her own future.