Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr.
- Born:
- Leslie Lynch King Jr., July 14, 1913, Omaha, Nebraska
- Died:
- December 26, 2006, Rancho Mirage, California
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Politician, Lawyer
Early Life and Education
- Birth name Leslie Lynch King Jr., later legally changed to Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr.
- Raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in economics.
- Starred on the University of Michigan Wolverines football team.
- Graduated from Yale Law School.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served in the United States Navy during World War II.
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1948, serving until 1973.
- Became House Minority Leader in 1965.
- Appointed Vice President of the United States in 1973, following Spiro Agnew's resignation.
- Became the 38th President of the United States in 1974, following Richard Nixon's resignation.
- Granted a controversial pardon to Richard Nixon.
- Signed the Helsinki Accords in 1975.
- Faced economic challenges including inflation and recession.
Legacy and Impact
Gerald Ford's presidency is remembered for its efforts to restore trust in government following the Watergate scandal. While his pardon of Nixon remains controversial, he is generally viewed as a decent and honest leader who helped heal a divided nation. A full understanding requires examining the context provided by a detailed gerald ford biography summary.
Notable Works
| Title | Year | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Time to Heal: The Autobiography of Gerald R. Ford | 1979 | Autobiography | Account of his life and presidency. |