Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States, led the country through one of its most tumultuous periods in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War.
Known for his honesty, integrity, and steady leadership, Ford assumed the presidency under unprecedented circumstances, becoming the only person to hold the office without being elected as either president or vice president.
His controversial decision to pardon Richard Nixon defined much of his legacy, but his contributions to restoring trust in government, promoting human rights through the Helsinki Accords, and navigating the country through economic challenges left a lasting impact.
This timeline highlights the key events of Ford’s life, from his early years in Michigan to his role as a respected elder statesman.
| July 14, 1913 | Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. is born in Omaha, Nebraska. His birth name is Leslie Lynch King Jr. His mother divorces his father and remarries, renaming him after his stepfather. |
| 1927-1931 | Attends South High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, excelling as a star athlete, particularly in football. |
| 1931-1935 | Attends the University of Michigan on a football scholarship, helping the team win two national championships. |
| 1935 | Graduates from the University of Michigan with a degree in economics and political science. |
| 1935-1937 | Works as an assistant football coach at Yale while attending Yale Law School. |
| 1941 | Graduates from Yale Law School and passes the Michigan bar exam. |
| 1942-1946 | Serves in the U.S. Navy during World War II, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander. |
| 1948 | Marries Elizabeth (Betty) Bloomer Warren and is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan’s 5th district. |
| 1950s | Establishes himself as a moderate Republican, supporting civil rights and strong defense spending. |
| 1960 | Appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, solidifying his role as a key policymaker. |
| 1963 | Named to the Warren Commission to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. |
| 1965 | Becomes House Minority Leader, where he plays a prominent role in opposing many Great Society programs. |
| 1970 | Publishes “Portrait of the Assassin” about his work with the Warren Commission. |
| October 10, 1973 | Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns amid scandal, and Ford is nominated as vice president by Nixon. |
| December 6, 1973 | Ford is confirmed by Congress and sworn in as the 40th vice president of the United States. |
| August 9, 1974 | Nixon resigns amid the Watergate scandal, and Ford becomes the 38th President of the United States. |
| September 8, 1974 | Ford pardons Nixon for any crimes related to Watergate, a controversial decision that damages his popularity. |
| 1974-1975 | Oversees the final U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam and the collapse of South Vietnam. |
| April 30, 1975 | The fall of Saigon marks the official end of the Vietnam War. |
| 1975 | Signs the Helsinki Accords, promoting human rights and cooperation between the U.S., the Soviet Union, and other nations. |
| September 5, 1975 | Survives the first assassination attempt by Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a Manson Family member. |
| September 22, 1975 | Survives a second assassination attempt by Sara Jane Moore in San Francisco. |
| 1976 | Narrowly wins the Republican nomination after a primary challenge from Ronald Reagan. |
| November 2, 1976 | Loses the presidential election to Democrat Jimmy Carter in a close race. |
| 1977 | Retires to Rancho Mirage, California, and begins his post-presidency as a respected elder statesman. |
| 1978 | Publishes his memoir “A Time to Heal,” reflecting on his presidency and political decisions. |
| 1980 | Considers running as Ronald Reagan’s vice president but ultimately declines. |
| 1999 | Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton for his contributions to the nation. |
| 2001 | Awarded the Profile in Courage Award for his controversial decision to pardon Nixon. |
| December 26, 2006 | Dies at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 93. |
| December 30, 2006 – January 3, 2007 | A state funeral is held, and Ford is laid to rest at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. |
Timeline of Gerald Ford
July 14, 1913 – Gerald Ford’s Birth
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. is born in Omaha, Nebraska, as Leslie Lynch King Jr. His mother, Dorothy Ayer Gardner King, divorces his father shortly after his birth due to abuse.
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In 1916, she marries Gerald Rudolff Ford Sr., and Leslie is renamed after his stepfather. Although Ford never legally changed his name, he embraced the identity his stepfather gave him.
1927-1931 – High School Years in Michigan
Ford grows up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and attends South High School. He excels academically and athletically, particularly in football, where he stands out as a talented center and linebacker. His success on the field will shape his future at the University of Michigan and beyond.
1931-1935 – University of Michigan
Ford attends the University of Michigan on a football scholarship and quickly becomes one of the team’s star players.
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He helps lead the Wolverines to national championships in 1932 and 1933. Off the field, he studies economics and political science, laying the foundation for his future in public service.
1935 – Graduation from Michigan
Ford graduates from the University of Michigan with a degree in economics and political science. He turns down several offers to play professional football, choosing instead to pursue a career in law.
1935-1937 – Assistant Coach and Yale Law
Ford moves to Yale, where he works as an assistant football coach while attending Yale Law School. His time at Yale is demanding but pivotal, as he balances coaching with rigorous legal studies.
1941 – Law School Graduate
Ford graduates from Yale Law School and returns to Michigan, where he passes the bar exam. He briefly practices law in Grand Rapids before World War II changes the trajectory of his career.
1942-1946 – Service in the U.S. Navy
During World War II, Ford joins the U.S. Navy and serves as an officer on the aircraft carrier USS Monterey in the Pacific Theater. He is promoted to lieutenant commander and earns several commendations for his leadership during combat.
1948 – Marriage to Betty Bloomer and Election to Congress
Ford marries Elizabeth “Betty” Bloomer, a former dancer and department store fashion coordinator. In the same year, he wins a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Michigan’s 5th congressional district. His campaign focuses on anti-communism and fiscal conservatism.
1950s – A Rising Republican Star
Ford gains a reputation as a moderate Republican with bipartisan appeal. He supports civil rights legislation, including measures to desegregate public schools and ban racial discrimination. His strong stance on national defense aligns with his post-war worldview.
1960 – Appointment to House Appropriations Committee
Ford’s influence grows as he is appointed to the House Appropriations Committee. He becomes involved in decisions on federal spending, defense, and national infrastructure, earning him respect among his peers.
1963 – Warren Commission Appointment
After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, President Lyndon B. Johnson appoints Ford to the Warren Commission. The commission investigates the assassination and concludes that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, though its findings remain controversial.
1965 – House Minority Leader
Ford is elected House Minority Leader, a position he holds for eight years. He is known for his pragmatic approach to leadership, working with both Republicans and Democrats, but often challenges Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society programs.
1970 – Publication of “Portrait of the Assassin”
Ford publishes “Portrait of the Assassin,” a book that details the findings of the Warren Commission and his personal perspective on the Kennedy assassination. The book highlights Ford’s belief in the commission’s conclusions.
October 10, 1973 – Nomination as Vice President
After Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns amid a corruption scandal, President Nixon nominates Ford as vice president under the 25th Amendment. Ford is widely seen as a safe and trustworthy choice during a tumultuous period.
December 6, 1973 – Sworn in as Vice President
Ford is confirmed by Congress and sworn in as the 40th vice president of the United States. His appointment marks a rare moment of bipartisan agreement during the height of the Watergate scandal.
August 9, 1974 – Becomes President
Following Nixon’s resignation, Ford becomes the 38th president of the United States. In his inaugural address, he acknowledges the national turmoil caused by Watergate and pledges to restore integrity to the presidency.
September 8, 1974 – Pardoning Richard Nixon
Ford pardons former President Nixon for any crimes he may have committed while in office. The pardon, intended to help the country move forward, sparks widespread criticism and is seen by many as a political misstep.
1974-1975 – The Final Exit from Vietnam
Ford oversees the final withdrawal of American personnel from Vietnam as the war draws to an end. The fall of Saigon in 1975 marks the end of U.S. involvement, leaving a lasting impact on American foreign policy.
April 30, 1975 – Fall of Saigon
North Vietnamese forces capture Saigon, leading to the collapse of South Vietnam. Ford is criticized for the U.S. failure to secure a more stable exit, but he defends his administration’s actions as the best possible outcome.
1975 – Signing the Helsinki Accords
Ford signs the Helsinki Accords, an international agreement aimed at improving relations between the Soviet bloc and the West. The accords address issues of human rights, security, and economic cooperation.
September 5, 1975 – First Assassination Attempt
Ford narrowly escapes an assassination attempt by Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a member of the Manson Family. Fromme points a pistol at Ford but is quickly subdued by Secret Service agents.
September 22, 1975 – Second Assassination Attempt
Just weeks after the first attempt, Ford is targeted again—this time by Sara Jane Moore in San Francisco. Moore fires a shot but misses, and Ford once again escapes unharmed.
1976 – Wins Republican Nomination
Ford faces a strong primary challenge from Ronald Reagan but secures the Republican nomination. The close contest highlights divisions within the Republican Party, particularly on foreign and domestic policy.
November 2, 1976 – Defeat to Jimmy Carter
Ford loses the presidential election to Jimmy Carter. The loss is attributed to various factors, including public dissatisfaction with the Nixon pardon and economic struggles, such as inflation and unemployment.
1977 – Retirement in Rancho Mirage
Ford retires to Rancho Mirage, California, where he becomes a prominent public speaker and an advisor on national and international issues. He works to promote bipartisanship and civil discourse.
1978 – Publication of “A Time to Heal”
Ford publishes his memoir, “A Time to Heal,” reflecting on his presidency and controversial decisions. The book provides insight into his leadership philosophy and personal struggles during his time in office.
1980 – Declines Vice-Presidential Offer
Ford considers running as Ronald Reagan’s vice-presidential candidate but ultimately declines after negotiations fail. He remains active in Republican circles, offering advice and support.
1999 – Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
Ford is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the nation, particularly his efforts to heal the country after Watergate.
2001 – Profile in Courage Award
Ford receives the Profile in Courage Award for his controversial decision to pardon Nixon. The award recognizes the political risks Ford took to prioritize the nation’s stability over his personal reputation.
December 26, 2006 – Gerald Ford’s Death
Ford dies at the age of 93 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. His death marks the end of a long and distinguished public career, and tributes pour in from across the political spectrum.
December 30, 2006 – January 3, 2007 – State Funeral
Ford is honored with a state funeral, and his body lies in state at the U.S. Capitol. He is laid to rest at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his legacy as a healer of the nation is remembered.