38th U.S. President Ford Has Died At Age 93

Gerald R. Ford, who became the 38th U.S. president in 1974 when the Watergate scandal forced Richard Nixon from office, has died at age 93.

Ford's pardon of Nixon a month after becoming president hurt his popularity and contributed to his defeat in the 1976 election.

Former first lady Betty Ford made the announcement of her husband's death late Tuesday at their home in Rancho Mirage, California, where the former president died. No cause of death was given.

Ford, in declining health, was hospitalized several times in the past year and most recently in October for tests at the Eisenhower Medical Center in California. He was the longest-lived former U.S. president, overtaking Ronald Reagan on Nov. 12.