38 — GERALD FORD
Gerald Rudolph Ford originally named after his biological father, Leslie Lynch King, Sr. and renamed at the age of two by his adopted father
Gerald R. Ford, Sr.
Born: July 14,
1913 (1913-07-14)
Omaha, Nebraska
Died: December 26,
2006 (aged 93)
Rancho Mirage, California
Nationality: American
Father: Leslie Lynch King
Mother: Dorothy Ayer Gardner King Ford
Spouse: Elizabeth "Betty" Bloomer Warren (1918- ), on October 15, 1948
Education: Graduated from the University of Michigan (1935) and Yale University Law School (1941)
Occupation: Lawyer, public official
Religion: Episcopalian
Took office: August 9,
1974
Left office: January 20,
1977
Party: Republican
Presidential Salary: $200,000/year + $50,000 expense account
Vice President: none (August–December 1974);
Nelson Rockefeller (December 1974–January 1977)
Preceded by: Richard Nixon
Succeeded by: Jimmy Carter
Other Government Positions- Member of U.S. House of Representatives, 1949-73
- Vice President, 1973-74 (under Nixon)
Presidential Nicknames- Jerry: Usually, "Jerry" is short for Jeremiah, Jeremy or Jerome, while Gerald or Gerard are normally shortened to "Gerry". For some reason, "Jerry" Ford was an exception to this rule
- The Accidental President: Uniquely, Ford was never elected to the presidency or vice-presidency. He was appointed by Nixon as vice-president from the House of Representatives, and inherited the presidency upon Nixon's resignation.
- Mr. Nice Guy: Because of his clean-cut and non-partisan image
- Jerry the Jerk: Coined by enemy William Loeb, editor of the Manchester Union Leader (New Hampshire) in 1976