Betty Ford recovering from 'minor surgery'

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., April 5 (UPI) -- Former first lady Betty Ford is recovering at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., from what her office Thursday called "minor surgery."

"Betty Ford is a patient at Eisenhower Medical Center where she underwent minor surgery earlier this week," her office said in a statement. "She is recovering well."

No other details were available, the Palm Springs (Calif.) Desert Sun reported, including the nature of the surgery or how long the former first lady was expected to remain hospitalized.

Ford, who turns 89 Sunday, was last admitted to Eisenhower in April 2006, when she was held overnight for undisclosed tests, the newspaper said.

Ford has lived in Rancho Mirage since she and her late husband, President Gerald Ford, left the White House in 1977.

Officials at Ford's office declined further comment on her condition Thursday, the Desert Sun said.

Ford has not made any public appearances since her husband's funeral. The former president died Dec. 26.