Sara Jane Moore, who made an unsuccessful attempt on President Gerald Ford’s life in 1975, died at the age of 95. She passed away on September 24, 2025, in a nursing home in Franklin, Tennessee. Her life remained controversial and paradoxical from the time of the shooting to her later years of relative obscurity.
The 1975 Attempt
On September 22, 1975, Moore waited for President Ford outside the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. Armed with a .38-caliber revolver, she fired two shots at the president. The first shot missed, and a bystander, former Marine Oliver Sipple, intervened and deflected her second shot. That deflection likely saved Ford’s life. Meanwhile, a taxi driver was struck by a ricochet bullet but survived.
Earlier that day, police had confiscated another gun she attempted to carry. She then bought this revolver that same morning. In court, Moore admitted she intended the act to spark a revolution, and she pleaded guilty.
Imprisonment, Parole, and Later Life
Moore received a life sentence for attempted assassination. She served 32 years in federal prison before being paroled on December 31, 2007. After her release, she lived quietly and avoided major public attention. In 2019, she violated parole by traveling abroad without notifying her parole officer, but that did not result in her serving long prison time.
Her life involved many contradictions. Early on, she served as an informant for the FBI and local police. She also interacted with radical political groups. Some believe she acted out of ideological conviction, while others argue mental instability played a role. Over time, she expressed regret, saying she used “blinders” to listen only to her distorted beliefs.
In 1979, she escaped prison by climbing a fence but was recaptured a few hours later. She had multiple marriages and children, but her relationships were strained, and she became estranged from many family members.
Legacy and Reflection
Moore holds a unique place in U.S. history. She and Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme remain the only two women convicted of attempting to assassinate an American president, both targeting Gerald Ford in 1975. Moore’s story continues to puzzle historians and psychologists alike. Some view her as a radical extremist, while others see her as a tragic figure caught in the turbulence of her time.
Her death comes just days after the 50th anniversary of her assassination attempt, underscoring how long her name remained tied to that single violent act. Her later life suggested remorse, and she once told an interviewer she was “very sorry” she missed.
Conclusion
Sara Jane Moore’s life arc, from amateur radical to convicted assassin to quiet parolee, remains one of America’s more complex crime stories. Her attempt on Ford’s life nearly succeeded, but fate and intervention saved the day. In her later years, she lived in the shadows, wrestling with regret and spiritual conflict. At 95, her death closes a long chapter in presidential history, but her story will continue to provoke questions about ideology, mental health, and the nature of violence.
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