- Ford was the only United States President who had been adopted as a child.
- Ford pardoned U.S. President Nixon for Nixon's involvement in Watergate, which was largely unpopular with the U.S. public. Many believe the pardon cost Ford the 1976 U.S. Presidential election, but Ford maintained that it was the right thing to do for the good of the country. In 2001, Senator Ted Kennedy, a staunch critic of the pardon in 1974, admitted that it had been the right decision for the country.
- Ford was born Leslie Lynch King Jr., but his parents separated two weeks after his birth. His mother remarried when Ford was two, and his name was changed to that of his stepfather, Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. Ford did not know until he was seventeen years old that his stepfather was not his biological father.
- Ford was left-handed only when sitting down. Although he signed all official documents with his left hand, he was photographed writing on a chalkboard and throwing a softball with his right hand, both while standing.
- As of 14 July 2003 he was one of only four U.S. Presidents to live into his nineties. The other three were John Adams (1735-1826), Herbert Hoover (1874-1964), and Ronald Reagan (1911-2004).
- May 18, 2003, he was admitted to hospital after suffering dizzy spells during a golf game he played in ninety-six degree Fahrenheit heat in Rancho Mirage, California.
- Father of Susan Ford and Steven Ford.
- In 1984, it was reported that he was the wealthiest living president, with a net worth between $6 million and $7 million.
- Chosen as U.S. President Richard Nixon's vice president after the resignation of Spiro Agnew. Later, Ford succeeded Nixon as U.S. President when Nixon resigned from office. Ford is the first person to hold the office of U.S. President without the vote of the people.
- Ford was sworn in as Vice President on 6 December 1973, after the resignation of then-Vice President Spiro Agnew.
- Served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1949-1973.
- In 1963, U.S. President Johnson appointed Ford to the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of U.S. President Kennedy. Ford was the longest lived member of that Commission.
- On two separate trips to California in September of 1975, Ford was the target of assassination attempts. Both of the assailants were women of Charles Manson's group of criminals, they were Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme and Sara Jane Moore.
- Played football while in college, and, after graduation, was offered positions with both the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. He declined each in favor of coaching boxing and football at Yale University.
- His children and their birth-dates: Michael Gerald, born on Tuesday, March 14th, 1950. John Gardner was born on Sunday, March 16th, 1952. Steven Meigs was born on Saturday, May 19th, 1956 and Susan Elizabeth, was born on Saturday, July 6th, 1957.
- Earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1927.
- Served in the U.S. Navy during World War Two.
- Graduated from the University of Michigan and Yale University Law School.
- August 2, 2000, he was admitted to hospital after suffering two mild strokes at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Although Ford was not an All-American football player at the University of Michigan, his jersey number (48) was retired in a stadium ceremony 8 October 1994.
- After the death of Ronald Reagan, he became the oldest living former President. Ronald Reagan's lifetime, in days alone, was 34,088 days, while Gerald Ford's lifetime, in days, alone was 34,133 days. Gerald Ford lived only 45 days more than Ronald Reagan. George Bush Lifetime was 34,504 days, 371 more days than Ford and 416 days more than Reagan.
- He was a close friend of Jimmy Carter despite their quite different political ideologies and the fact Carter defeated him in the 1976 presidential election.
- Was a member of the Warren Commission.
- His wife, Betty Ford, suffered from alcoholism.
- His wife, Betty Ford, founded The Betty Ford Clinic for alcohol & drug rehabilitation.
- Hospitalized with shortness of breath in July 2006.
- Held the record for having the most assassination attempts made on him while serving as President. Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme made an attempt on 5 September 1975 and Sara Jane Moore made another attempt on 22 September 1975. Ford escaped without injury both times.
- He became the longest-living U.S. President, at 34,133 days, total. Ronald Reagan lived 34,088 days. Gerald Ford outlived Ronald Reagan, by only 45 days. This record was surpassed by George Bush on November 25, 2017 and when he died on November 30, 2018 Bush having lived for 34,504 days, outlived Gerald Ford by 371 days and Ronald Reagan by 416 days.
- He was a close friend and golfing partner of Bob Hope.
- Honorary chairman of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame from its founding in 1994 until his death.
- Made an appearance on the game show "What's My Line?" in 1969 when he served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Pictured on a USA 41¢ memorial stamp issued on Saturday, August 31st, 2007.
- As of 2008, he is the only President who has held that office and Vice President not only without being elected for either office, but without campaigning for them either. He ascended to those offices through the resignations of Spiro Agnew and Richard Nixon.
- Co-owner of Conover Model Agency in 1939 with Harry Conover. He met Conover when they were both models at John Robert Powers' agency. When Conover left Powers to start his own model agency, Ford was persuaded by Phyllis Brown to invest $1,000 in Conover's new venture and become his silent business partner. The Conover Model Agency became one of the country's most successful model agencies, grossing millions a year.
- Was a male model for John Robert Powers' agency. Ford's modeling career was brief and strictly part time. Highlights included his appearance in a 21-picture Stowe, Vermont ski resort feature in Look Magazine in 1940. Later, in his Navy uniform, he appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan in 1942. Both times were with famed model Phyllis Brown.
- Hospitalized with a severe case of pneumonia. (January 2006)
- He and his wife were visited by President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at their home in Rancho Mirage, California. This was the first time Ford had been seen in public since he was hospitalized with pneumonia in January. (April 2006)
- Inducted into the University of Michigan Hall of Honor in 1978 (inaugural class).
- Inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1977.
- Inducted into the Grand Rapids [Michigan] Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
- Portrayed on Saturday Night Live (1975) by Chevy Chase.
- He was an avid golfer.
- Is the only person to date who has served as Vice President and President without having been elected to either office. He took each office after the respective resignations of Spiro Agnew and Richard Nixon.
- In Tip O'Neill's memoir, "Man of the House", Ford confided to O'Neill that he was considering running for President in 1980.
- Inducted into the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame in 2001 in the category builder/inspiration.
- The NCAA President's Gerald R. Ford Award has been presented annually since 2004 to "an individual who has provided significant leadership as an advocate for intercollegiate athletics on a continuous basis over the course of [his/her] career".
- His close friend and successor Jimmy Carter outlived his 93 year, 165 day lifespan on Friday March 16, 2018.
- During the 1980 Republican Convention, there was an 11th hour attempt by Ronald Reagan's campaign team to draft Ford as his running mate, with the understanding that Reagan would serve one term, and that Ford would run as the duly elected Vice President to succeed Reagan in 1984. Ford's critics cited his not being elected to either the Presidency or Vice Presidency as weakening his credibility, and running as a duly elected Vice President would strengthen the legitimacy of a 1984 run. Reagan, running as a neo-conservative, felt having Ford on the ticket would help him in terms of getting the support of moderate Republicans. Talks broke down over the powers Ford would have as Vice President (Ford wanted the Vice President to function as the equivalent of the President's chief of staff, something Reagan found unacceptable.) Reagan eventually chose moderate Republican George Bush at the last minute as his running mate.
- Mentioned in Daydreams (1981).
- Inducted into the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor in 2020.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content