How Many Children Did Gerald Ford Have- A Look into the Family Life of the 38th President

How many kids did Gerald Ford have? Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States, was a man of many accomplishments and a complex personal life. Throughout his lifetime, he fathered four children, each playing a significant role in shaping his legacy both personally and professionally.

Gerald Ford was born Leslie Lynch King Jr. on July 14, 1913, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He later changed his name to Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. after his parents divorced when he was two years old. His father, Leslie King, was a local business owner, and his mother, Dorothy Gardner, was a social worker. Despite his parents’ separation, Ford maintained a close relationship with both throughout his life.

Ford’s first child, Michael Gerald Ford, was born on February 12, 1940. He was the couple’s only biological child together. Michael grew up to become a successful lawyer and politician, serving as the Mayor of Grand Rapids and later as the President of the Ford Motor Company.

Gerald Ford’s second child, Susan Elizabeth Ford, was born on October 6, 1947. She was adopted by Gerald and his second wife, Betty Ford. Susan became the first daughter of a President to graduate from college, earning a degree in psychology from George Washington University. She later became an advocate for mental health awareness and founded the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

The Ford family welcomed their third child, John Gardner Ford, on February 17, 1950. John, also adopted by Gerald and Betty, pursued a career in the United States Air Force, where he served as a pilot. He later became a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, teaching aerospace engineering.

Lastly, the Ford family added another member with the birth of Steven Meigs Ford on February 18, 1956. Steven followed in his father’s footsteps and became a lawyer, serving as a judge in the Superior Court of California. He also co-authored a book on the history of the Ford family.

Throughout his life, Gerald Ford faced various challenges, including his wife Betty’s battle with breast cancer and the deaths of two of his children. Despite these hardships, he remained a devoted father to his four children, instilling in them the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion. The children of Gerald Ford have carried on their father’s legacy, each making their own mark in the world and honoring his memory.