Gerald Rudolph Ford: A Chronology of His Life and Career

The only person to serve as both Vice-President and President who did not win election to either office, Gerald Ford had been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives 13 straight times before being chosen by President Richard Nixon to replace Spiro Agnew, who had resigned the vice-presidency while under criminal investigation for graft. He was subsequently elevated to the presidency upon the resignation of Nixon, who was facing almost certain impeachment because of his alleged role in the Watergate political scandal.

July 14, 1913	Born in Omaha, Nebraska.
1927	Achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
1935	Graduated from the University of Michigan.
1935-1938	Worked as assistant football coach and boxing coach at Yale University.
1938-1940	Was a partner in a New York City modeling agency.
1941	Received his law degree from Yale University.
June 1941	Admitted to the Michigan bar and opened a law office in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1942-1946	Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Oct 15, 1948	Married Elizabeth (Betty) Bloomer.
1948	Elected to the first of 13 successive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
1965	Became House Minority Leader.
Dec 6, 1973	Became Vice-President of the United States.
Aug 9, 1974	Succeeded to the presidency.
1976	Lost presidential election to James E. Carter, Jr.

Gerald Ford was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. His parents divorced soon after his birth. His mother subsequently married Gerald R. Ford, who adopted the youngster; his name was legally changed on December 3, 1935.

Ford was a member of the undefeated University of Michigan football teams of 1932 and 1933.