Age, Biography and Wiki

Wendell Ford (Wendell Hampton Ford) was born on 8 September, 1924 in Owensboro, Kentucky, U.S., is an American politician (1924–2015). Discover Wendell Ford's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 91 years old?

Popular As Wendell Hampton Ford
Occupation N/A
Age 91 years old
Zodiac Sign Virgo
Born 8 September 1924
Birthday 8 September
Birthplace Owensboro, Kentucky, U.S.
Date of death 2015
Died Place Owensboro, Kentucky, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 8 September. He is a member of famous politician with the age 91 years old group.

Wendell Ford Height, Weight & Measurements

At 91 years old, Wendell Ford height not available right now. We will update Wendell Ford's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
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Who Is Wendell Ford's Wife?

His wife is Ruby Jean Neel (m. 1943)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Ruby Jean Neel (m. 1943)
Sibling Not Available
Children 2

Wendell Ford Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Wendell Ford worth at the age of 91 years old? Wendell Ford’s income source is mostly from being a successful politician. He is from United States. We have estimated Wendell Ford's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income politician

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Timeline

1924

Wendell Hampton Ford (September 8, 1924 – January 22, 2015) was an American politician from Kentucky.

Wendell Ford was born near Owensboro, in Daviess County, Kentucky, on September 8, 1924.

He was the son of Ernest M. and Irene Woolfork (Schenk) Ford.

His father was a state senator and ally of Kentucky Governor Earle C. Clements.

Ford obtained his early education in the public schools of Daviess County and graduated from Daviess County High School.

1942

From 1942 to 1943, he attended the University of Kentucky.

1943

On September 18, 1943, Ford married Ruby Jean Neel (1924 - living) of Owensboro at the home of the bride's parents.

The couple had two children.

1944

In 1944, Ford left the University of Kentucky to join the army, enlisting for service in World War II on July 22, 1944.

1945

He was trained as an administrative non-commissioned officer and promoted to the rank of technical sergeant on November 17, 1945.

Over the course of his service, he received the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal and earned the Expert Infantryman Badge and Good Conduct Medal.

1946

He was honorably discharged on June 18, 1946.

1947

Following the war, Ford returned home to work with his father in the family insurance business, and graduated from the Maryland School of Insurance in 1947.

1949

On June 7, 1949, he enlisted in the Kentucky Army National Guard and was assigned to Company I of the 149th Infantry Regimental Combat Team in Owensboro.

On August 7, 1949, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Infantry.

In 1949, Ford's company was converted from infantry to tanks, and Ford served as a Company Commander in the 240th Tank Battalion.

1950

Daughter Shirley (Ford) Dexter was born in 1950 and son Steven Ford was born in 1954.

The family attended First Baptist Church in Owensboro.

1953

He served for twenty-four years in the U.S. Senate and was the 53rd Governor of Kentucky.

He was the first person to be successively elected lieutenant governor, governor, and United States senator in Kentucky history.

1956

Promoted to First Lieutenant of Armor, he transferred to the inactive Guard in 1956, before being discharged in 1962.

1959

He worked on the gubernatorial campaign of Bert T. Combs in 1959 and became Combs' executive assistant when Combs was elected governor.

1967

Encouraged to run for the Kentucky Senate by Combs' ally and successor, Ned Breathitt, Ford won the seat and served one four-year term before running for lieutenant governor in 1967.

He was elected on a split ticket with Republican Louie B. Nunn.

Four years later, Ford defeated Combs in an upset in the Democratic primary en route to the governorship.

As governor, Ford made the government more efficient by reorganizing and consolidating some departments in the executive branch.

He raised revenue for the state through a severance tax on coal and enacted reforms to the educational system.

He purged most of the Republicans from statewide office, including helping Walter Dee Huddleston win the Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Republican stalwart John Sherman Cooper.

1974

In 1974, Ford himself ousted the other incumbent senator, Republican Marlow Cook.

Following the rapid rise of Ford and many of his political allies, he and his lieutenant governor, Julian Carroll, were investigated on charges of political corruption, but a grand jury refused to indict them.

As a senator, Ford was a staunch defender of Kentucky's tobacco industry.

He also formed the Senate National Guard Caucus with Missouri senator Kit Bond.

1991

He was the Senate Democratic whip from 1991 to 1999, and was considered the leader of the state's Democratic Party from his election as governor in 1971 until he retired from the Senate in 1999.

Chosen as Democratic party whip in 1991, Ford considered running for floor leader in 1994 before throwing his support to Connecticut's Christopher Dodd.

1999

He retired from the Senate in 1999 and returned to Owensboro, where he taught politics to youth at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History.

2009

At the time of his retirement he was the longest-serving senator in Kentucky's history, a mark which was then surpassed by Mitch McConnell in 2009.

He is the most recent Democrat to have served as a Senator from the state of Kentucky.

Born in Daviess County, Kentucky, Ford attended the University of Kentucky, but his studies were interrupted by his service in World War II.

After the war, he graduated from the Maryland School of Insurance and returned to Kentucky to help his father with the family insurance business.

He also continued his military service in the Kentucky Army National Guard.