Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan at Betty Ford funeral

Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum, David Hume Kennerly/Pool via Reuters

WASHINGTON–The sad passing of former First Lady Betty Ford brought together at her memorial service on Tuesday a historic gathering of first ladies. For the first time, I’m told current First Lady Michelle Obama was with, at the same time, the three other living former first ladies: Rosalynn Carter, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Nancy Reagan.

The four women, plus former President George W. Bush and members of the Ford family gathered together before the service at at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church Tuesday in Palm Desert, Calif. Mrs. Ford died Friday at the age of 93.

(Top row from L to R) Mike Ford, former U.S. president George W. Bush, Jack Ford, Susan Ford Bales, former first lady and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and Steve Ford stand as former first lady Nancy Reagan (in white) and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.