Gerald Ford Biography: Political Party, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Height, Age, Parents, Siblings, Obituary

Leslie Lynch King Jr., known as Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., was the 38th President of the United States, serving from August 1974 to January 1977, and the only President never elected to either the presidency or vice presidency.

Rising to prominence as a Michigan congressman and House Minority Leader, Ford assumed the presidency after Richard Nixon’s resignation amid the Watergate scandal, earning praise for his efforts to heal a divided nation through transparency and a controversial pardon of Nixon.

Profile

• Full Name: Leslie Lynch King Jr.
• Stage Name: Gerald Ford
• Born: July 14, 1913
• Date of death: December 26, 2006 (Aged: 93 years old)
• Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Politician, Lawyer, U.S. President
• Height: 1.93m
• Parents: Dorothy Ayer Gardner Ford and Leslie Lynch King Sr. Siblings: Thomas Gardner Ford, Richard Addison Ford, and James Francis Ford
• Spouse: Elizabeth “Betty” Bloomer Ford (m. 1948-2006)
• Children: Michael Gerald Ford, John Gardner Ford, Steven Meigs Ford, and Susan Elizabeth Ford
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $7 million

Early Life and Education

Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., initially named Leslie Lynch King Jr., was born on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Dorothy Ayer Gardner and Leslie Lynch King Sr.

His parents divorced shortly after his birth due to domestic abuse, and his mother remarried Gerald Rudolff Ford, a Grand Rapids businessman, who adopted him and gave him his name. Raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, alongside three half-brothers—Thomas, Richard, and James—Ford excelled in athletics and academics.

Gerald attended Grand Rapids South High School, where he was a star football player. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Michigan in 1935, playing center on the Wolverines’ national championship teams.

He later graduated from Yale Law School in 1941, ranking in the top third of his class. His ethnicity was Caucasian, of English and Scottish descent, and he was an Episcopalian.

Career

Gerald Ford began his career as a lawyer in Grand Rapids after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he earned 10 battle stars as a lieutenant commander on the USS Monterey.

Entering politics in 1948, he won Michigan’s 5th Congressional District seat, serving in the House of Representatives for 25 years and becoming House Minority Leader in 1965. Known for his bipartisan approach, Ford built a reputation as a reliable legislator, advocating for civil rights and fiscal conservatism.

In 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned amid corruption charges, and President Richard Nixon appointed Ford as vice president under the 25th Amendment, a role he assumed after Senate confirmation.

Ford became President on August 9, 1974, following Nixon’s resignation due to the Watergate scandal. His decision to pardon Nixon in September 1974 was highly controversial, as it aimed to move the nation forward but ultimately cost him political capital.

His administration tackled stagflation with programs like WIN (Whip Inflation Now) and navigated foreign policy challenges, including the 1975 fall of Saigon and the Helsinki Accords.

Despite vetoing 66 bills to curb spending, Ford maintained a reputation for integrity. He narrowly lost the 1976 presidential election to Jimmy Carter, partly due to economic woes and the fallout from the pardon, which ended his presidency on January 20, 1977.

Ford’s post-presidency was marked by his role as a statesman, serving on corporate boards, delivering lectures, and writing his memoir, A Time to Heal. He remained active in public life, advising subsequent administrations and supporting causes such as the Betty Ford Center, which his wife co-founded to treat addiction.

His legacy is defined by his steady leadership during a turbulent era, earning him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999 and the Congressional Gold Medal alongside his wife in 1998.

Ford’s commitment to civility and national unity continues to be studied, with historians noting his accidental presidency as a pivotal moment in restoring trust in government.

Social Media

Gerald Ford does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Gerald Ford married Elizabeth “Betty” Bloomer, a former dancer and model, on October 15, 1948, at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids. The couple had four children: Michael, John, Steven, and Susan.

Betty’s openness about her breast cancer diagnosis in 1974 and her struggles with addiction, leading to the founding of the Betty Ford Center, made her a public health advocate. Ford was a devoted family man, often attending his sons’ sports events and Susan’s school activities.

An avid golfer and skier, he maintained an active lifestyle, surviving two assassination attempts in 1975. Ford passed away on December 26, 2006, at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, leaving a legacy of resilience and service.

Net Worth

Gerald Ford’s estimated net worth at the time of his death was approximately USD 7 million, adjusted for inflation. His wealth was accumulated through his congressional and presidential pensions, speaking engagements, book royalties from A Time to Heal, and board memberships with companies such as American Express and Travellers Group.