Sara Jane Moore, FBI Informant and Mother of 4 Who Attempted to Assassinate Pres. Gerald Ford, Dies at 95

Sara Jane Moore, the Woman Who Attempted to Assassinate President Ford, Passes Away

Sara Jane Moore, who infamously attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford, has recently passed away at the age of 95. The incident took place almost 50 years ago, on September 22, 1975, when Moore tried to kill President Ford as he left a hotel in San Francisco. Despite Moore’s efforts, the President managed to escape unharmed.

Moore was armed with a .38 caliber handgun and fired at President Ford from a close distance of 40 feet. However, due to an issue with the sight on her gun, her bullet missed its target by mere inches. Interestingly, Moore had only purchased the gun that morning, as her original weapon and over 100 rounds of ammunition were confiscated by the police earlier.

The assassination attempt was inspired by Moore’s revolutionary beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. She saw herself as a catalyst for change, hoping that killing the President would spark a revolution in the United States. Moore’s actions were also influenced by the kidnapping of Patricia “Patty” Hearst by the Symbionese Liberation Army.

Before the assassination attempt, Moore had been collaborating with the FBI as an informant. She reported on the activities of the food bank established by Patty Hearst’s father, where she worked as a bookkeeper. Moore did not contest the charges against her and pleaded guilty to the attempted assassination. She was sentenced to life in prison but was released in 2007 after serving 32 years.

While Moore managed to escape from prison briefly in 1979, she was swiftly recaptured by authorities. Following her release in 2007, she kept a low profile, got married for the fifth time, and avoided any further trouble with the law. Notably, in 2019, Moore faced a minor issue when she left the country without informing her parole officer.

Moore’s attempt on President Ford’s life marked her as one of only two women convicted of trying to assassinate a sitting president. The other woman, Manson Family member Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, also targeted President Ford in California, less than three weeks before Moore’s attempt. Both women served their sentences at the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, California.

Having four children at the time of the assassination attempt, Sara Jane Moore holds the unique distinction of being the sole mother to try to assassinate a sitting president. Despite her infamous past, Moore’s death brings closure to a chapter in American history marked by political turmoil and radical activism.

In conclusion, Sara Jane Moore’s life was shrouded in controversy and intrigue, as her actions reverberated throughout the nation. Her attempt on President Ford’s life, fueled by a fervent desire for change, serves as a reminder of the complexities of political activism and the lengths some individuals will go to in pursuit of their beliefs.