Gerald Ford, born Leslie Lynch King Jr. on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska, was an American politician who served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977. He is the only U.S. president to have assumed office without being elected as either president or vice president.
Ford's early life was marked by personal challenges. His parents divorced when he was an infant, and he later took on the name Gerald Ford after his mother married Gerald Rudolff Ford. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and went on to attend the University of Michigan, where he excelled in football and received his bachelor's degree in economics.
After graduating from Yale Law School, Ford worked as a lawyer and became involved in Republican politics in Michigan. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1948, where he would go on to serve for 25 years.
In 1973, during his tenure as House Minority Leader, Ford was appointed as Vice President of the United States following the resignation of Spiro Agnew. The following year, after President Richard Nixon resigned due to the Watergate scandal, Ford assumed the presidency.
As president, Ford faced significant challenges, including a struggling economy, inflation, and the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. One of the most controversial decisions of his presidency was the pardon of Nixon, which generated widespread criticism but was intended to help heal the nation and move past the scandal.
Ford's presidency was also marked by efforts to address the energy crisis, promote human rights, and improve relations with the Soviet Union. However, his administration faced a challenging political climate and was limited in its ability to implement significant policy changes.
After leaving office in 1977, Ford retired from politics but remained involved in public life, serving on various boards and undertaking charitable work. He passed away on December 26, 2006, in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 93.
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