California, December 27, 2006 - Former U.S. president Gerald Ford died at the age of 93 on Tuesday. He had been hospitalized several times the last year for various ailments, and had suffered two mild strokes since 2000. His wife, Betty Ford, made the announcement from California late Tuesday.

"My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather has passed away at 93 years of age," Mrs. Ford said in a brief statement issued from her husband's office in Rancho Mirage. "His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country."

U.S. President George W. Bush said he and his wife Laura were saddened by Ford's passing.

"President Ford was a great American who gave many years of dedicated service to our country," Bush said in a statement.

"He assumed the presidency in an hour of national turmoil and division. With his quiet integrity, common sense, and kind instincts, President Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the presidency.

"The American people will always admire Gerald Ford's devotion to duty, his personal character, and the honorable conduct of his administration."

Up until his death, Ford was the oldest surviving U.S. president. He was famous for being the only president to serve in the highest office in the land without having been elected either president or vice president.

The veteran, respected Republican Congressman was appointed vice president when Spiro Agnew resigned in 1973 following evidence of income tax evasion.
Eight months later, Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace over the Watergate scandal, and Ford was sworn in as president.

"I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers," he said after taking the oath of office.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061013/ford_obit/20061227?hub=CTVNewsAt11

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