Gerald Ford
| Gerald Ford | |
|---|---|
| File:Gerald Ford Presidential Portrait.jpg | |
| Order | 38th President of the United States |
| In office | August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977 |
| Vice President | Nelson Rockefeller |
| Preceded by | Richard Nixon |
| Succeeded by | Jimmy Carter |
| Born | July 14, 1913 Omaha, Nebraska, United States |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Betty Ford (m. 1948–2006) |
| Children | Michael, John, Steven, Susan |
| Profession | Lawyer, naval officer, politician |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan Yale Law School |
| Signature | File:Gerald R. Ford Signature.svg |
Gerald Ford (July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006) was an American politician and attorney who served as the 38th president of the United States from 1974 to 1977. A member of the Republican Party, he is the only person to have served as both vice president and president without being elected to either office.
Early Life and Education
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His birth name was Leslie Lynch King Jr., but after his parents' divorce and his mother's remarriage, he was renamed after his stepfather.
Ford attended the University of Michigan, where he was a star football player. He later earned a law degree from Yale Law School while also coaching football and boxing.
Military and Early Political Career
During World War II, Ford served in the U.S. Navy and saw combat in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he began a political career and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1948, where he served for 25 years and became House Minority Leader.
Vice Presidency
In 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned. President Richard Nixon nominated Ford as his replacement under the 25th Amendment. Ford was confirmed by Congress and sworn in as vice president on December 6, 1973.
Presidency (1974–1977)
Ford became president on August 9, 1974, after Nixon resigned in the wake of the Watergate scandal. One of his first and most controversial acts was granting Nixon a full pardon.
During his presidency, Ford dealt with inflation, a sluggish economy, and the aftermath of the Vietnam War. He survived two assassination attempts and maintained a reputation for honesty and integrity.
1976 Election and Later Years
Ford ran for a full term in 1976 but lost narrowly to Democrat Jimmy Carter. After leaving office, he remained active in public life and served on various boards.
He passed away on December 26, 2006, at the age of 93, making him the longest-lived U.S. president at the time.
Legacy
Although his presidency was brief, Ford is remembered for helping restore public trust in the presidency during a turbulent time. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum honors his legacy.