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Discovering My Surprising Family Connection to President Gerald R. Ford

This discovery truly surprised me—not only because I found yet another U.S. President in my family tree, but also because I have no Ford surnames in my lineage (at least not yet!).

What I didn’t realize was that President Gerald Ford wasn’t actually born with the name “Gerald Rudolph Ford.” His birth name was Leslie Lynch King Jr., named after his biological father. The name “Gerald Rudolph Ford” was later assumed after his mother, Dorothy Ayer Gardner (my 9th cousin, twice removed), divorced King and married Gerald Ford Sr., who became her son’s stepfather.

In 1935, the future president legally changed his name to honor his stepfather, becoming the man we now know as President Gerald R. Ford.

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Remembering President Ford From My Childhood

I actually remember President Ford quite well—he was the first U.S. President I recall from my childhood.

Gerald Ford became the 38th President of the United States and served previously as the 40th Vice President under President Richard Nixon. Remarkably, Ford was never elected to either position. After Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned in 1973, Ford was appointed as his replacement. Then, when President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974, Ford ascended to the presidency.

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The Only U.S. President Never Elected to Either Office

President Ford holds a unique place in American history—he is the only person to have served as both President and Vice President without being elected to either office.

His presidency, lasting 895 days, was the shortest in U.S. history for any president who did not die in office.

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Key Moments in Gerald Ford’s Presidency

Although his presidency lasted just over two years, Gerald Ford’s impact was significant.

• Presidential Pardon of Richard Nixon: Ford granted a full pardon to former President Nixon for his involvement in the Watergate scandal.

• Vietnam War Amnesty: He issued Presidential Proclamation #4313, which offered conditional amnesty to Vietnam War draft dodgers and military deserters. This initiative later paved the way for full pardons during the Carter administration.

• Service on the Warren Commission: Before becoming president, Ford served on the Warren Commission, the panel formed by President Lyndon Johnson to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

 

More Family Connections in Politics

As if one presidential connection wasn’t enough, President Ford also nominated Nelson Rockefeller—another cousin of mine—to be his Vice President.

The family ties don’t end there: Ford ran against Ronald Reagan (my cousin Nancy Davis’s husband) for the 1976 Republican nomination. Ford won the nomination but ultimately lost the general election to Jimmy Carter.

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Two Assassination Attempts on President Ford

During his presidency, Ford survived two assassination attempts—just 17 days apart in 1975.

• The first attempt came from Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson, on September 5, 1975.

• The second attempt, by Sara Jane Moore, was foiled by a vigilant Marine who spotted her weapon.

Thanks to the quick actions of the Secret Service and brave citizens, both attempts failed.

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Life After the Presidency

After losing the 1976 election to Jimmy Carter, Ford retired from politics but remained active in public life. He and his wife, Betty Ford, became close friends with the Carters. The two couples often visited each other, sharing a lasting post-presidential friendship.

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The Passing of President Gerald R. Ford

Gerald Rudolph Ford passed away on December 26, 2006, at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 93—coincidentally, on the 34th anniversary of President Harry S. Truman’s death.

He was the last surviving member of the Warren Commission and, until President George H. W. Bush, was the longest-living former U.S. President.

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A Remarkable Family Connection

To sum it up: Leslie Lynch King Jr., later known as President Gerald Rudolph Ford, was my paternal 10th cousin, once removed.

It’s yet another fascinating discovery in my ongoing journey through my family’s presidential connections and American history.