Gerald Ford Biography: First Unelected President in US History
Born in 1913 Omaha Nebraska, Gerald Ford became a standout football player during his high school years in Grand Rapids Michigan, attending the University of Michigan on an athletic scholarship that earned him a degree in economics, followed by a law degree from Yale University. After serving aboard an aircraft carrier in World War Two, Ford married his wife Betty in 1948, before winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served with distinction for 25 years, including eight years as House Minority Leader from 1965 to 1973.
How Did Gerald Ford Become Vice President?
In 1972, as pressure began to mount on President Richard Nixon during the Watergate Scandal, Vice President Spiro Agnew stepped down due to unrelated charges of tax evasion and accepting bribes, prompting Nixon to invoke his power under the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, appointing Ford as his new vice president.
When Nixon chose to resign from office rather than face an impeachment trial, on August 9th, 1974, Gerald Ford became the first unelected president in American history, declaring in his inaugural address that “our long national nightmare is over,” and that “our great republic is a government of laws and not men.”
Tumultuous Two Year Presidency
During his two years as president, Ford oversaw the Fall of Saigon when he was unable to convince a Democrat-majority Congress to approve further military aid. He also oversaw a domestic energy crisis and a weak economy marred by runaway inflation and high unemployment, while his controversial pardon of Nixon left many Americans believing that Ford had reached the Oval Office under a pre-arranged deal.
In 1976, Ford lost a close election to Democrat Jimmy Carter, and although he stated that he had planned to retire from Congress that same year anyway, he also said that he was pleased to help the American people emerge from the shadow of Watergate with a renew sense of trust in democratically-elected officials.
Ford remained active in retirement, sitting on a multitude of major corporate boards while giving speeches and staying actively engaged in his passions for golf and downhill skiing. Known for his clumsiness, in truth, Ford was one of the most accomplished athletes of any American president, having won two back-to-back national football championships in 1932 and 1933 as a gridiron standout during student his years at Michigan. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999—America’s highest civilian honor—
When Did Gerald Ford Die?
Gerald Ford passed away the day after Christmas, December 26th, 2006, at the age of 93—the oldest ex-president at the time of his death—making Gerald Ford’s presidency the fifth shortest in American history, but also one of integrity, honesty and national healing.