Former US president Ford hospitalized
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-14 08:54

Former US President Ford, suffering from "a horrible cold," was in the hospital Tuesday for what his chief of staff called routine medical tests.

Ford, 92, was admitted to Eisenhower Medical Center late Monday and was expected to be released Wednesday, spokeswoman Penny Circle said from Ford's Rancho Mirage office about 110 miles east of Los Angeles.

Former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford smiles in this Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005 file photo, during the award ceremony of the Bob Hope Classic Golf Tournament at the PGA West in La Quinta.[AP/file]

"He's in for medical tests, routine tests," Circle told The Associated Press by telephone. "He's had a horrible cold and he still hasn't gotten over it."

Circle said those tests are scheduled each December. She did not release other details.

In January, Ford underwent two days of hospital tests to follow-up on his annual pre-Christmas physical.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said, "We wish President Ford well and a speedy recovery."

In May 2003, Ford was hospitalized for a night after he got dizzy while golfing in hot weather.

Five years ago, he suffered two small strokes while attending the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia and spent about a week in a hospital. Doctors said there was no apparent brain damage or permanent disability.

After the death of Ronald Reagan in June 2004, Ford became the nation's oldest living former president.

Ford was House minority leader when President Nixon chose him to replace Vice President Spiro Agnew, who resigned in 1973. Ford became president on Aug. 9, 1974, when Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal.