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38th

38th President of the United States · 1974–1977

Gerald Ford

RepublicanMichigan

Only unelected president, pardoned Nixon

Last verified: June 2026

~1 min read · 51 words

Key Facts

Term: 1974–1977
Party: Republican
Vice President: Nelson Rockefeller
First Lady: Betty Ford
Home State: Michigan
Born: 1913
Died: 2006

Biography

Ford was the only person to serve as both vice president and president without being elected to either office.

Key Events & Accomplishments

Pardoned Richard Nixon (September 8, 1974)
Oversaw the fall of Saigon (April 1975)

Election Results

Year	Opponent	Electoral Vote	Popular Vote
1976	Jimmy Carter	240-297	-2.1%

Supreme Court Justices Appointed

Gerald Ford appointed 1 justice to the Supreme Court.

John Paul Stevens

Notable Quotes

“Our long national nightmare is over.”
-- Inaugural address after Nixon's resignation, August 9, 1974

Did You Know?

Ford is the only president never elected as either president or vice president.

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