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Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr.
Gerald Ford.jpg
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
40th Vice President of the United States
In office
December 6, 1973 – August 9, 1974
President Richard Milhous Nixon
Preceded by Spiro Agnew
Succeeded by Nelson A. Rockefeller
House Minority Leader
In office
January 3, 1965 – December 6, 1973
Deputy Leslie Arends
Preceded by Charles Halleck
Succeeded by John Rhodes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 5th district
In office
January 3, 1949 – December 6, 1973
Preceded by Bartel Jonkman
Succeeded by Richard Vander Veen
Personal details
Born (1913-07-14)July 14, 1913
Omaha, Nebraska
Died December 26, 2006(2006-12-26) (aged 93)
Rancho Mirage, California
Nationality American
Political party Republican
Spouse Betty Warren Ford

Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. (born Leslie Lynch King, Jr.; July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006) was the 38th President of the United States. He served from 1974 to 1977. Ford is special because he is the only president who was never elected as either President or Vice President.

Early Life and Family

Gerald Ford was born on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska. His birth name was Leslie Lynch King, Jr. His parents, Dorothy Ayer Gardner and Leslie Lynch King, Sr., separated soon after he was born. His mother took him to live with her family in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Gerald Ford 1916
Leslie Lynch King, Jr. (later known as Gerald R. Ford) in 1916

In 1916, his mother married Gerald Rudolff Ford. They began calling her son Gerald Rudolff Ford, Jr. Even though he was never formally adopted, he was raised by his stepfather. He legally changed his name to Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. in 1935. He grew up in Grand Rapids with three half-brothers from his mother's second marriage.

Ford also had three half-siblings from his biological father's second marriage. He did not know them when he was a child. Ford learned about his biological father when he was 17 years old. He always spoke highly of his stepfather and mother, saying they gave him a wonderful family upbringing.

Scouting and Sports

Ford Scout
Eagle Scout Gerald Ford (circled in red) in 1929; Michigan Governor Fred Green at far left, holding hat
Gerald Ford on field at Univ of Mich, 1933
Ford as a University of Michigan football player, 1933

Gerald Ford was very active in the Boy Scouts of America. He earned the highest rank, which is Eagle Scout. Later in life, he received special awards from the Boy Scouts. He is the only U.S. president who was an Eagle Scout. Ford also loved sports. He played football in high school and college.

Political Career

Gerald Ford primary campaign for Congress billboard
A billboard for Ford's 1948 Congressional Campaign

Gerald Ford served for 25 years in the United States House of Representatives. For many of those years, he was the House Minority Leader. This meant he was the main leader for the Republican Party in the House.

In 1973, Richard Nixon was President. His Vice President, Spiro Agnew, resigned. President Nixon then chose Ford to be the new Vice President. Congress had to approve Ford for this role. Because Ford had been in Congress for so long, many members knew him well. They trusted him and approved him as Vice President.

Presidency

Ford sworn-in
Gerald Ford is sworn in as the 38th President of the United States by Chief Justice Warren Burger in the White House East Room, while Betty Ford looks on.

Due to the Watergate scandal, President Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974. Gerald Ford then became the President. As mentioned, he is the only U.S. President who was never elected to the office of President or Vice President.

After becoming President, Ford decided he wanted to run for a full term in 1976. He faced a tough challenge from Ronald Reagan for the Republican nomination. Ford won the nomination by a small number of votes.

One of Ford's most important decisions was to pardon Richard Nixon in 1974. This meant Nixon would not be charged with any crimes related to Watergate. Many people believe this decision was a reason why Ford lost the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter. The economy was also struggling with high inflation at the time. Other events, like the Mayagüez incident and the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, also played a role.

Legacy and Later Life

Fords presidency lasted 895 days, which was a relatively short time. Some people saw him as a temporary leader between Nixon and Carter. However, his supporters felt he helped the country heal after the Watergate scandal. He was also known for being a moderate Republican.

Presford90
Ford at his 90th birthday with Laura Bush, President George W. Bush, and Betty Ford in the White House State Dining Room in 2003

Ford married Betty Warren in 1948. They had a close family.

Death

Gerald Ford died at his home in California on December 26, 2006. He was 93 years old. At the time, he was the longest-living U.S. president.

Images for kids

See also

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