Former President Ford marks 93rd birthday

Oldest living former president receives White House note of praise

Jonathan J. Dwyer / AP file

Gerald R. Ford, American's 38th president took the oath of office as President of the United States on August 9, 1974, replacing Richard Nixon in the wake of the Watergate scandal, stating "the long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works."

NBC Video: Politics

Obama: ‘Give thanks for the kindness of loved ones’
Nov. 26: President Barack Obama thanks U.S. troops and discusses the economy in his weekly address.

GOP: Obama has taken economy ‘from bad to worse’

Uninvited couple sneaks into state dinner

Tea partiers heckle grieving grandparents

Obama's Afghanistan decision a done deal

2010 Update: GOP purity test dangers

Mitchell: settlement freeze first step

Obama grants 'Courage' a pardon

Slideshow

The Week in Political Cartoons
Msnbc.com’s political cartoonists take a look back at the past week.

more photos

updated 10:21 a.m. ET July 14, 2006

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Gerald R. Ford, the nation's oldest living former president, began his 93rd birthday Friday with a note of praise and best wishes from the White House.

"Since leaving office, President Ford has set a high standard for grace and character," President Bush said in a written statement. "He has never forgotten his roots or lost sight of the things that matter - including his deep love for his wife and partner, Betty."

Ford has made few public appearances in recent months and has had some health setbacks, including a 12-day hospitalization in January for pneumonia.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

The Michigan Republican became president after Richard Nixon resigned in 1974. He and his wife have lived in Rancho Mirage, Calif., since leaving the White House in 1977.

"Few leaders have ever faced such challenges upon taking office," Bush said. "Yet President Ford met them with steadfastness and courage."