A Halloween Prank in the Ford White House
In October 1974—just months after the turmoil of Watergate—First Lady Betty Ford and her trusted secretary Nancy Howe pulled off a small but memorable moment of levity inside the White House.
The women dressed a life-sized skeleton in clothes, placed it in President Gerald Ford’s favorite chair, and waited for him to return to the Oval Office area. The photo captured behind-the-scenes preparation: Betty adjusting the skeleton’s outfit with characteristic poise, Nancy suppressing laughter as she made final touches.
It was a simple prank. But coming from Betty Ford, it meant something deeper.
The Ford administration entered office at a moment when the nation was emotionally exhausted. Trust in government had diminished. The country needed steadiness, transparency, and a reminder that the people in the White House were, in fact, human. Betty Ford understood instinctively that small acts of levity mattered. They restored good-humor, and grounded her family. They eased the private burdens of a presidency born from crisis.
Historians often note Betty’s candor, warmth, and emotional intelligence—qualities that helped steady the Ford family and, at times, the nation. Her Halloween prank wasn’t political; it was personal. It showed how First Ladies often shoulder the quiet work of keeping spirits lifted and relationships intact, even while living in the most scrutinized house in America.
As this photograph reminds us, the White House is not just a workplace. It is also a home—one where a little laughter can go a very long way.
“Even in the most formal residence in America, Betty Ford found room for joy.”
Why It Matters
Moments like this reveal the overlooked emotional labor of First Ladies. Beyond ceremonies and public roles, they are partners, confidants, and stabilizing forces. Betty Ford’s lighthearted prank reminds us that humor can be a quiet form of leadership—one that strengthens families during challenging chapters and humanizes the presidency for the rest of us.
Image Caption
First Lady Betty Ford and secretary Nancy Howe prepare a Halloween prank for President Ford in the White House study, 1974. (Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum / Public Domain)
History in Two Voices shares stories from America’s past to help us understand the people and moments that shaped it — without politics, pressure, or partisanship. Just history, thoughtfully told.