Gerald Ford: A Life Sketch

"I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances . . . This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts." These were the words of Gerald R. Ford when he was sworn in as the 38^th president of the United States on August 9, 1974.

His life began simply. He was born July 14^th 1913 in Omaha, Nebraska and given the name Leslie Lynch King. His parents divorced and a few years later his mother remarried and gave her son the name of her new husband - Gerald R. Ford Sr. Ford was not told that he was adopted until his teen years but he loved his stepfather and his mother dearly and had a wonderful childhood.

Education

Gerald R. Ford Jr. attended the University of Michigan on a football scholarship. He was an excellent football player and most likely could have played professionally, but he had a different vision for the direction his life was to take. He graduated in 1935 and continued on to receive a law degree from Yale University in 1941. He started off his new career by opening a small law firm but World War II interrupted his plans and he enlisted in the Navy where he served honorably from 1942-1946.

Family

On October 15 1948, Ford married Elizabeth (Betty) Bloomer Warren. Betty had worked as a model and a dancer. She attended the Bennington School of Dance for a short time and studied under Martha Graham, a well known dancer. A previous marriage between Betty and William G. Warner ended in divorce in 1947.

Gerald and Betty Ford had 4 children. Michael Gerald Ford was born in 1950. John Gardner Ford was born in 1952. Steven Meigs Ford was born in 1956. Susan Elizabeth Ford, their only daughter, was born in 1957.

Betty Ford was a strong advocate for women's rights. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy shortly after her husband became president. Her high profile position increased public awareness of breast cancer to a greater degree than it had been before.

Career