Former President Gerald Ford Dies at 93

According to NBC News, Former First Lady Betty Ford issued a statement on Tuesday night from her husband's office in Rancho Mirage, California, saying, "My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather has passed away at 93 years of age. His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country.

President Ford took office minutes after President Nixon resigned in 1974, declaring "our long national nightmare is over". He pardoned Nixon for all crimes he committed as President a month later.

President George W. Bush said that he is "greatly saddened" by the death of former President Ford.

President Bush issued a statement from his Texas ranch calling Ford "a great American with years of dedicated service" to the country. President Bush praised President Ford for "his quiet integrity, common sense and kind instincts". He credited Ford with helping to heal our nation and restoring confidence in the presidency.

President Bush also said that his thoughts and prayers and those of the First Lady are with Betty Ford and the rest of the former President's family.