Gerald R. Ford

Date of Birth: July 14, 1913

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: December 26, 2006

Biography

Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from August 9, 1974, to January 20, 1977. He was born on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska, and was originally named Leslie Lynch King Jr. His name was changed after his mother remarried. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and excelled both academically and athletically, earning a place on the University of Michigan’s football team. He went on to study law at Yale Law School before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, Ford entered politics and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1948, where he served for 25 years and became the House Minority Leader. Ford became Vice President in 1973 following Spiro Agnew’s resignation and assumed the presidency in 1974 after Richard Nixon’s resignation amid the Watergate scandal. His presidency is most noted for his controversial pardon of Nixon, efforts to curb inflation, and overseeing the final withdrawal of American troops from Vietnam. After losing the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter, Ford retired from active politics. He passed away on December 26, 2006, in Rancho Mirage, California.

5 Interesting Facts about Gerald R. Ford

1. Gerald Ford is the only person to have served as both Vice President and President without being elected to either office.

2. Ford was a standout football player at the University of Michigan, helping the team to two undefeated seasons and national championships in 1932 and 1933.

3. He was a member of the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

4. Ford survived two assassination attempts within 17 days in September 1975.

5. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 1999.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gerald R. Ford

1. “Our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men.”

2. “Truth is the glue that holds government together.”

3. “I am a Ford, not a Lincoln.”

4. “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.”

5. “I promise my fellow citizens that I will do my utmost to be deserving of their trust.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Gerald Ford was estimated to be around $7 million.

Children

Gerald Ford had four children with his wife, Betty Ford: 1. Michael Gerald Ford (born 1950) 2. John Gardner Ford (known as Jack, born 1952) 3. Steven Meigs Ford (born 1956) 4. Susan Elizabeth Ford (born 1957)