Betty Ford in hospital after surgery

Former first lady ‘recovering well,’ office of late President Ford says

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Former first lady hospitalized
April 7: Betty Ford is recovering in the hospital after surgery earlier this week. NBC's John Larson has more from Rancho Mirage California

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updated 5:22 p.m. ET April 7, 2007

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. - Former first lady Betty Ford was recovering from unspecified surgery in a hospital Thursday, the office of the late President Gerald Ford said.

The surgery occurred earlier in the week and she was "recovering well" at Eisenhower Medical Center, the statement said.

No other information will be released for several days, the statement said.

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Ford is 88. Her birthday is Sunday.

After her husband's death on Dec. 26 at age 93, she went on an arduous cross-country trip accompanying his body for services in California, Washington, D.C., and to his final resting place in Michigan.

First lady from 1974 to 1977, she came to earn wide respect through her frankness as she battled breast cancer, arthritis and addictions to drugs and alcohol.