Ford longest-living US president

Gerald Ford lost to Jimmy Carter in 1976

Gerald Ford has become the longest-living US president after reaching 93 years and 121 days on Sunday, surpassing Ronald Reagan.

Mr Ford, who was born on 14 July, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska, became president following the resignation of Richard Nixon over Watergate in 1974.

Mr Ford lost to Jimmy Carter in the 1976 presidential election.

President Ford played down the record, saying what mattered more was the "love of one's family and friends".

A statement released by his office read: "I thank God for the gift of every sunrise and, even more, for all the years He has blessed me with Betty and the children, with our extended family and the friends of a lifetime."

Stroke

Gerald and Betty Ford, 88, live in Rancho Mirage in southern California.

The former president has suffered ill health this year and has been taken to hospital four times for tests and angioplasty. He suffered a stroke in 2000.

The previous record holder, Ronald Reagan, died in 2004.

The next longest-lived was the second US President, John Adams, who died in 1826 aged 91.