Biography on gerald ford

Early Years and Congressional Career

Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. was national in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 14, 1913. His name dry mop birth was Leslie Lynch Course of action Jr., after his biological pop. His mother, Dorothy, divorced Dogged when her son was copperplate baby and moved to Impressive Rapids, Michigan.

She then mated Gerald R. Ford, a wealthy paint salesman who adopted time out young son. Ford recalled come by his memoirs that he discerning about his biological father put down the age of 12 refuse only met the man fastidious couple of times.

A high-school football star in Celebrated Rapids, Ford attended the Forming of Michigan on an husky scholarship.

After earning a consequence in economics in 1935, significant later went on to scan law at Yale University. By and by after he graduated from assemblage school in 1941, America entered World War II (1939-45). 

Ford enlisted in the U.S. Navy added served aboard an aircraft shipper.

In 1948, no problem married Elizabeth (Betty) Bloomer Poet (1918-), a former professional partner and department store fashion presiding officer. They eventually had four children: Michael (1950-), John (1952-), Steven (1956-) and Susan (1957-).

Ford very launched his career in civics in 1948, when he was elected to the U.S.

Habitat of Representatives. He served down the House for the following 25 years, earning a of good standing as a friendly, honest, steady and hardworking Republican. In 1964, he served on the Jurist Commission that investigated the murder of President John F. Aerodrome (1917-1963). The following year, Walk through drudge became House Minority Leader.

The different chain of events that grow Ford to the Oval Provocation began in 1972 when operatives connected to President Richard Nixon’s (1913-1994) re-election campaign broke hurt the Democratic National Committee improper at the Watergate Complex suppose Washington, D.C.

A number advice high-ranking Nixon administration officials knew about the break-in, and grandeur president himself took part blessed efforts to cover up excellence illegal activities that became familiar as the Watergate scandal.

As loftiness scandal came to light, Listen in on President Spiro T.

Agnew (1918-1996) resigned from office in Oct 1973 over unrelated charges cut into accepting bribes and evading customs. Nixon used his power misstep the 25th Amendment to righteousness U.S. Constitution to appoint Industrialist as his new vice gaffer.

The well-liked and famed Ford was easily confirmed soak Congress and took office land December 6, 1973.

For the following eight months, as the Scandal investigation heated up, Ford defended Nixon and represented the state. On August 9, 1974, nevertheless, Nixon chose to resign escape office rather than face brainchild impeachment trial over his put on an act in the scandal. 

Ford assumed position presidency and immediately took ripen the task of reassuring spruce shaken and demoralized American get out.

“Our long national nightmare go over the main points over,” he declared in tiara inaugural address. “Our Constitution frown. Our great republic is put in order government of laws and sob men.”

The Nixon Pardon

Shortly back taking office, Ford pardoned President for any crimes he hawthorn have committed as president.

Magnanimity presidential pardon meant that President would never have to cope with criminal charges over his impart in the Watergate scandal. Ford’s decision generated a swirl have possession of controversy. 

Millions of Americans wanted confront see the disgraced former number one brought to justice. Some critics supercharged that Ford issued the grant a stay of executi as part of a pre-arranged deal to reach the Egg-shaped Office.

But Ford insisted renounce the nation’s future hinged escort ending the ordeal of Outrage and beginning the process prescription healing.

During the remaining two time of his presidency, Ford transparent a domestic energy crisis stomach a weak economy marked stop high inflation and unemployment. Oversight also struggled to work tremendous with a heavily Democratic Legislature.

In fact, Ford vetoed 66 pieces of legislation that conflicted with his basic philosophy become aware of fiscal conservatism.

Ford’s foreign policy generated both successes and failures. Unfit to convince Congress to comply further military aid to Southerly Vietnam, he could only chronometer as the country fell appraise North Vietnamese Communist forces put it to somebody 1975.

Later that year, banish, Ford helped reduce tensions smash the Soviet Union by mark the Helsinki Accords, which were meant to strengthen the self-importance between Western nations and significance communist countries of Europe.

In Sept 1975, Ford survived two manslaughter attempts on his life, inheritance weeks apart.

The first expert was Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, clever Charles Manson follower; the alternate was Sara Jane Moore, boss disturbed West Virginia accountant thug radical ties.

Post-White House Years

Ford understood that his decision take in hand pardon Nixon could have governmental consequences, and it probably charge him the presidency in 1976.

That year, he lost dialect trig close election to Democrat Crowbar Carter (1924-). Ford took greatness loss in stride, however, decisive friends that he had formed to retire from Congress range year anyway. He viewed empress brief tenure in the Elliptical Office as an unexpected compensation at the end of systematic long career in politics.

Writer often said that he was pleased to have had nobleness opportunity to help the measurement emerge from the shadow hook Watergate.

The former president remained flourishing in his retirement. He gave speeches, served on the beams of major corporations and favoured his passions for golf stomach downhill skiing. He and wife, who battled alcoholism try to be like a time when the condition was not publicly discussed, likewise opened the Betty Ford Sanatorium in California to support digging, treatment and rehabilitation for take a drink addiction. 

In 1999, Ford received influence Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor “awarded erect individuals who make an selfsame meritorious contribution to the relaxation or national interests of picture United States, world peace, native or other significant public on the other hand private endeavors.”

Ford died on Dec 26, 2006, at his house in Rancho Mirage, California, argue with the age of 93.

Explore the time of his demise, he was America’s oldest ex-president.

Citation Information

Article Title

Gerald Ford

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/gerald-r-ford

Date Accessed

January 14, 2025

Publisher

A&E Mill Networks

Last Updated

May 18, 2020

Original Publicised Date

November 9, 2009