Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford was the 38th president of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977 after the resignation of Richard Nixon.

Gerald Ford was the 38th president of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977 after the resignation of Richard Nixon. He was previously the 40th vice president and had served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan for 25 years. Ford is the only person to become U.S. president without being elected either president or vice president.

Early life and education

Gerald Ford was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan after his parents separated. He attended the University of Michigan, played football there, and later graduated from Yale Law School after working as a coach at Yale.

Political career before the presidency

Ford was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1948 and represented Michigan until 1973. He also served as House minority leader from 1965 to 1973.

Vice presidency and presidency

Ford became vice president under the Twenty-Fifth Amendment after Agnew resigned, then assumed the presidency when Nixon resigned in 1974. His inauguration speech included the widely cited line, “Our long national nightmare is over.”

Presidency and major actions

Ford’s presidency focused on inflation, economic weakness, energy shortages, and restoring public confidence after Watergate. His most debated act was the pardon of Richard Nixon, along with his amnesty policy for some Vietnam War draft evaders and deserters.

Later life and legacy

Ford left office in January 1977 after losing the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter. He died in 2006 at the age of 93.