Henry Ford II, also known as “Hank the Deuce” or simply “the Deuce”, was an American industrialist and the head of Ford Motor Company for 34 years (1945–79). He is generally credited with reviving the firm and introducing some of the most popular and classic cars, such as the Mustang and the Thunderbird. He was also the oldest son of Edsel Ford I and the oldest grandson of Henry Ford, the founder of the company. But how did Henry Ford II die? What was his cause of death? In this article, we will explore the life and death of Henry Ford II, one of the most influential figures in the automotive industry.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Henry Ford II was born in Detroit, Michigan, on September 4, 1917, to Eleanor Clay Ford and Edsel Ford. He had three siblings: Benson, William, and Josephine. He grew up in a wealthy and privileged environment, surrounded by luxury and comfort. He graduated from The Hotchkiss School in 1936, according to Wikipedia. He then attended Yale University, where he served on the business staff of The Yale Record, the campus humor magazine. However, he left Yale in 1940 before graduating. During his time at Yale, he became a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity.
Career and Achievements
When his father Edsel, president of Ford, died of cancer in May 1943 (during World War II), Henry Ford II was serving in the Navy and unable to inherit the presidency of the family-owned business. The elderly and ailing Henry Ford I, company founder, re-assumed the presidency, though mentally inconsistent, suspicious, and considered no longer fit for the presidency position by most of the company’s directors. For the previous 20 years, although he had long been without any official executive title, the elder Ford kept de facto control over the company; the board and the management had never seriously defied him, and this moment was not different. The directors elected him, and he served until the end of the war. During this period, the company began to decline, losing over $10 million a month (equivalent to $209 million in 2022). The administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt considered a government acquisition of the company to ensure continued war production, but the idea never progressed to execution.
Henry Ford II was discharged from service in July 1943 and joined the company’s management a few weeks later. In September 1945, he succeeded his grandfather as president of Ford Motor Company. He was only 28 years old at that time. He inherited a company that was in financial trouble and facing stiff competition from General Motors and Chrysler. He hired a team of talented managers and executives, such as Ernest Breech, Robert McNamara, Lee Iacocca, and Arjay Miller, who helped him modernize and restructure the company. He also introduced new models of cars that appealed to consumers’ tastes and preferences. Some of his most notable achievements include:
- Launching the Thunderbird in 1955, a two-seater sports car that became an instant hit.
- Going public in 1956, selling shares of Ford Motor Company to outside investors for the first time.
- Introducing the Mustang in 1964, a compact and affordable car that revolutionized the market.
- Winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans race four times in a row (1966–69) with the Ford GT40.
- Expanding globally by acquiring or investing in foreign car companies such as Jaguar, Volvo, Mazda, and Aston Martin.
Henry Ford II also served as president of the Ford Foundation from 1943 to 1950, a philanthropic organization that supports various causes such as education, democracy, human rights, arts, and culture. He was also involved in politics and supported several Republican candidates for president.
Personal Life and Controversies
Henry Ford II married three times in his life. His first wife was Anne McDonnell, whom he married in 1940. They had three children: Charlotte Anne (born 1941), Anne (born 1943), and Edsel II (born 1948). They divorced in 1964 after years of marital problems. His second wife was Maria Cristina Vettore (also known as Cristina), an Italian socialite whom he married in 1965. They had one son: Alfred (born 1967). They divorced in 1976 amid allegations of infidelity on both sides. His third wife was Kathleen DuRoss (also known as Kathy), a former model whom he married in 1980. They remained married until his death in 1987.
Henry Ford II was also involved in several controversies and scandals during his career. Some of them are:
- Being arrested for drunk driving in 1944, which resulted in a $250 fine and a suspended sentence.
- Being accused of tax evasion in 1951, which led to a congressional investigation and a settlement of $10.5 million.
- Being sued by his former mistress, Ellen Maher, in 1966, who claimed that he had promised to marry her and support her children. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
- Being kidnapped by two men in 1976, who demanded a ransom of $5 million. He managed to escape and the kidnappers were arrested.
- Being involved in a bitter feud with his brother William Clay Ford Sr., who wanted more control over the company and the family fortune.
Henry Ford II Cause of Death
Henry Ford II died on September 29, 1987, at the age of 70, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. His cause of death was pneumonia and related complications, according to The Celebrity Deaths. He had been hospitalized for 20 days before his death. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit, next to his father and grandfather.
Henry Ford II left behind a legacy of innovation and leadership that shaped the automotive industry and the American economy. He was one of the most influential and powerful businessmen of the 20th century. He was also a philanthropist, a sportsman, and a patron of the arts. He was survived by his wife Kathy, his four children, and several grandchildren.
