In a statement Friday, Reagan praised Ford's efforts to educate women about breast cancer and her work at the Betty Ford Center, a rehabilitation center.
Reagan praised Ford's courage in facing and sharing her personal struggles with Americans. Though talking about addiction was taboo, Ford faced her struggles with drugs and alcohol openly.
Reagan says Ford was former President Gerald Ford's "strength through some very difficult days in our country's history."
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn have praised the late former first lady Betty Ford as "a remarkable political spouse" who improved mental health and substance abuse care and spoke her mind.
In a statement Friday after Ford died at age 93, the Carters said: "Rosalynn and I are saddened by the passing of Betty Ford, a close personal friend and our frequent partner in bipartisan efforts to improve mental health and substance abuse care in our nation."
The statement went on to say that Betty Ford's "courageous candor helped forge a new era of openness after the divisiveness of the Vietnam War and Watergate." They also called Ford a "tireless advocate for women's rights and social justice."
Carter defeated then-President Gerald Ford in 1976, but the Carters and Fords later became friends. Gerald Ford, the nation's 38th president, died in 2006 at age 93.
Former President George Bush called the late Betty Ford a great friend and courageous first lady.
Bush, the 41st president, and his wife, Barbara, issued a statement from Kennebunkport, Maine, on Friday after Ford died at age 93.
Ford overcame drug and alcohol addiction and was the inspiration for her Betty Ford Center.
The elder Bush said the Ford Center has helped change the lives of thousands of people and will be "her lasting legacy of care and concern."
Former President George W. Bush, the 43rd president, said Ford made countless contributions to the country and was courageous in calling attention to breast cancer and substance abuse. Bush said he and his wife, Laura, were deeply saddened by Ford's death.
President Barack Obama says former first lady Betty Ford left a legacy of courage, compassion and inspiration to countless others.
In a White House statement, the president said that as first lady, Mrs. Ford was a powerful advocate for women's health and women's rights. In his words, she "distinguished herself through her courage and compassion."
He noted that after she left the White House, Mrs. Ford helped reduce the social stigma surrounding addiction and inspired thousands to seek much-needed treatment. Obama said organizations such as the Betty Ford Center will honor her legacy by giving countless Americans a new lease on life.
The president said he and the first lady send their thoughts and prayers to the Ford children.
