Gerald Ford

Thirty-eighth president, 1974–1977

Gerald R. Ford’s rise to the presidency was historic. Appointed vice president by Richard Nixon after Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace, in 1973, Ford was then sworn in as president on August 9, 1974, after Nixon resigned. He became the first president to hold office without ever having been elected by the people. Ford announced: “Our long national nightmare is over,” and then he immediately set about restoring credibility to the position. In a controversial gesture to heal the nation—and to prevent a lengthy trial—he pardoned Nixon of any wrongdoing. He also offered amnesty to Vietnam War deserters and draft evaders. Ford would pay a price for his leniency in his election campaign in 1976. Although he staved off a bitter challenge by Ronald Reagan for the Republican Party nomination, he lost to Jimmy Carter in the general election.

This portrait by Everett R. Kinstler was painted at Ford’s request, specifically for the National Portrait Gallery. The artist based the likeness on sketches he had made in the late 1970s when he was working on Ford’s official White House portrait.