Early Life
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., born Leslie Lynch King Jr. on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska, experienced a challenging early life. His parents separated shortly after his birth. His mother, Dorothy Ayer Gardner, later married Gerald R. Ford Sr., a paint salesman, who adopted young Leslie and gave him the name Gerald R. Ford Jr.. Ford excelled academically and athletically, becoming an Eagle Scout and a football star at the University of Michigan, where he earned a degree in economics. He later earned a law degree from Yale University in 1941.
Rise to Success
Ford's career took a political turn in 1949 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 5th congressional district for nearly 25 years. He rose through the ranks, becoming House Minority Leader in 1965. In 1973, he was appointed Vice President under Richard Nixon, and upon Nixon's resignation in 1974, Ford became President. As president, Ford focused on stabilizing the economy and healing the nation after the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. Ford's time in office included dealing with high inflation and an economic recession.
Key Business Strategies
Ford's career was primarily in public service. He did not have a business strategy in the traditional sense. As President, his focus was on domestic and foreign policy. His economic strategies included attempting to curb inflation through measures like the "Whip Inflation Now" (WIN) program and by proposing tax cuts and spending restraint to stimulate the economy. He also worked on foreign policy initiatives, including détente with the Soviet Union and efforts to improve U.S. relations with other nations.
Philanthropy
Ford's philanthropic efforts are largely centered on the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, established in 1981. The Foundation's mission is to promote the ideals of integrity, honesty, and candor, and to foster increased awareness of the values that shaped Ford's life and career. The Foundation supports programs to build civic leaders, empower young adults, and modernize Ford's legacy. The Foundation also helps fund exhibits and activities at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum. In 1997, Ford donated $20 million to Southern Methodist University for a new football stadium and $15 million in 2013 to build a research center.
