Martha Firestone Ford Biography
Martha Parke Firestone Ford is a renonwed American businesswoman and retired principal owner and chairperson of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Additionally, Ford is likewise on the board of the Henry Ford Health System.
Ford was one of the few female owners of an NFL team, which was a notable achievement in a male-dominated industry. Her leadership and dedication to improving the Detroit Lions and their home stadium, Ford Field, were instrumental in shaping the team’s future and enhancing the fan experience.
In addition to her work with the Detroit Lions, Ford was involved in several philanthropic and charitable initiatives. She served on the boards of several organizations, including the Henry Ford Health System and the Detroit Institute of Arts, and founded the Martha Ford Foundation, which supports a variety of causes, including education, health care, and the arts.
10 Quick Facts About Martha Firestone Ford
- Name: Martha Parke Firestone Ford
- Age: 98 Years (2023)
- Birthday: 16 September
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Height: Average
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Businesswoman
- Marital Status: Widow
- Salary: Not Available
- Net worth: $1.45 billion
Martha Firestone Ford Age
Ford is 98 years old as of 2023, she was born on 16 September 1925, in Akron, Ohio, United States. She celebrates her birthday on 16 September every year and her birth sign is Virgo.
Martha Firestone Ford Height
Ford stands at an average height. She appears to be fairly tall in stature if her photos, relative to her surroundings, are anything to go by. Nonetheless, details concerning her actual height and other body measurements are currently not publicly available. We will update this section when the information is available.
Martha Firestone Ford Weight
Ford has moderate weight. However, details concerning her actual weight and other body measurements are currently not publicly available. We will update this section when the information is available.
Martha Firestone Ford Early Life and Education
Ford was born on September 16, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio as the daughter of Harvey S. Firestone Jr. (father) and Elizabeth Parke Firestone (mother). Her paternal grandparents are Rubber Co. founder Harvey Samuel Firestone and Firestone Tire and his wife Idabelle Smith Firestone. She studied and graduated from Vassar College in 1946.
Martha Firestone Ford Rise to Fame
Firestone Ford did born into the famous Firestone family, known for its tire manufacturing company, and worked for the company’s philanthropic arm, the Firestone Foundation, prior to marrying William Clay Ford Sr., the owner of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).
Yet, after her husband’s death in 2014, Martha Ford inherited ownership of the Detroit Lions, which obtained her into the public eye as one of the few female owners of an NFL team.
Martha Firestone Ford Parents
Ford was born in Cleveland, Ohio to her father, Harvey S. Firestone Jr., and her mother, Elizabeth Parke Firestone.
Martha Firestone Ford Siblings
Ford was raised up alongside her siblings namely, Roger, Leonard, Elizabeth, Idabelle, and Phoebe.
Martha Firestone Ford Husband
Ford was married to her husband William Clay Ford Sr., an American businessman who served on the boards of Ford Motor Company and the Edison Institute. Martha Firestone met her husband, William Clay Ford, a grandson of Henry Ford, at a lunch in New York organized and accompanied by both of their mothers, according to the biography The Fords.
She afterward was a Vassar student who had the college nickname “Stoney.” He was a naval cadet at St. Mary’s U.S. Navy Pre-Flight School. They did their wedding on June 21, 1947, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio, and together they are blessed with four children namely, William Clay Ford Jr., Sheila Ford Hamp, Elizabeth Hudson Ford, and Martha Parke Morse. Her husband passed in 2014.
Martha Firestone Ford Children
Ford is a proud mother of a son named William Clay Ford Jr.,and three daughters namely, Sheila Ford Hamp, Elizabeth Hudson Ford, and Martha Parke Morse. Her son William was formerly as of 2015 the chairman of the board of directors of Ford Motor Company. He had earlier been the chief executive officer and chief operational officer of Ford and is the vice chairman of the Detroit Lions.
Martha Firestone Ford Net Worth
Ford has an estimated net worth of $1.45 billion dollars as of 2023. This includes her assets, money, and income. Her primary source of income is his career as a Businesswoman. Through his various sources of income, she has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Martha Firestone Ford Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Martha Firestone Ford.
Martha Firestone Ford Wiki
- Full Names: Martha Parke Firestone Ford
- Popular As: Chairperson of the Detroit Lions
- Gender: Female
- Occupation / Profession: Businesswoman
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Martha Firestone Ford Birthday
- Age: 98 Years (2023)
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Date of Birth: 16 September 1925
- Place of Birth: Akron, Ohio, United States
- Birthday: 16 September
Martha Firestone Ford Body Measurements
- Height / How Tall?: Average
- Weight: Moderate
- Eye Color: Not Available
- Hair Color: Not Available
- Shoe Size: Not Available
- Dress Size: Not Available
- Chest Size: Not Available
- Waist Size: Not Available
- Hip Size: Not Available
Martha Firestone Ford Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Harvey S. Firestone Jr.
- Mother: Elizabeth Parke Firestone
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Roger, Leonard, Elizabeth, Idabelle, Phoebe
- Marital Status: Widow
- Husband/ Spouse: William Clay Ford Sr. (m. 1947–2014)
- Children: Sheila Ford Hamp, William Clay Ford Jr., Elizabeth Hudson Ford, Martha Parke Morse
Martha Firestone Ford Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $1.45 billion
- Salary: Not Available
- Source of Income: Businesswoman
Martha Firestone Ford Career
Ford is a one-time businesswoman and the widow of William Clay Ford Sr., who was the owner of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). She was born on September 16, 1925, in Ohio, USA, and grew up in the Firestone family, which was known for its tire manufacturing company. Ford worked for the company’s philanthropic arm, the Firestone Foundation, before marrying William Clay Ford Sr. in 1947.
After her husband’s death in 2014, she inherited ownership of the Detroit Lions. Under her ownership, the Detroit Lions went through a significant period of change, including a coaching and management overhaul. Ford also oversaw a $100 million renovation of Ford Field, the team’s home stadium. In addition to her work with the Detroit Lions, Ford was also involved in several philanthropic and charitable initiatives.
She served on the boards of several organizations, including the Henry Ford Health System and the Detroit Institute of Arts. She also founded the Martha Ford Foundation, which provides funding for a variety of causes, including education, health care, and the arts. In 2019, Ford stepped down from her role as owner of the Detroit Lions, passing the ownership to her daughter, Sheila Ford Hamp.
Martha Firestone Ford Family Tree
Martha Parke Firestone was a member of the affluent and noteworthy Firestone family. Her father was Harvey S. Firestone Jr., the son of the inventor of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, and her mother was Elizabeth Parke Firestone. Ford’s grandfather, Harvey S. Firestone Sr., was a business magnate and founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, which became one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world.
Martha Firestone was one of six children, and her siblings included Roger, Leonard, Elizabeth, Idabelle, and Phoebe. She married William Clay Ford, the grandson of Henry Ford, in 1947, and the couple had four children together: Martha, Sheila, William Jr., and Elizabeth.
Martha Firestone’s family tree includes some of the most prominent and influential figures in American business and industry, and her legacy continues to shape and influence society today.
Martha Firestone Ford Home
Ford originally lived in Grosse Pointe Woods after relocating to the Detroit area pursuing their marriage. She has lived in Grosse Pointe Shores since 1960 when she and William had a house built on Lake St. Clair.
Martha Firestone Ford Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable and Community Involvement
Ford launched the Martha Ford Foundation, which supports a range of causes, including education, healthcare, the arts, and community development. The foundation has donated millions of dollars to organizations in the Detroit area, such as the Henry Ford Health System and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Ford was also actively involved in the community, serving on the boards of several organizations, including the Detroit Economic Club, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Detroit Zoological Society. She was committed to improving the city of Detroit and supporting its residents, and her philanthropic efforts reflected this dedication.
In addition, Ford’s involvement in the NFL had an impact on the league and its fans. She was a trailblazer as one of the few female owners in the NFL and used her position to improve the Detroit Lions organization and enhance the fan experience at Ford Field.
Martha Firestone Ford Legacy
Martha Ford became the owner of the Detroit Lions and used her position to improve the team and enhance the fan experience at Ford Field. Her dedication to philanthropy and community service, which included founding the Martha Ford Foundation, also made a positive impact on countless individuals and organizations.
Ford’s legacy also includes breaking barriers as one of the few female owners in the NFL. Her leadership and commitment to excellence set an example for others in the industry and inspired future generations of women to pursue leadership roles.
Martha Firestone Ford Awards Accomplishments and Achievements
- Becoming the owner of the Detroit Lions, one of the few female owners in the NFL.
- Using her leadership and philanthropy to enhance the fan experience at Ford Field and improve the Detroit Lions organization.
- Receiving the Eleanor Ford Award, which recognizes women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community service, and dedication to philanthropy.
- Being inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
- Founding the Martha Ford Foundation, which supports a variety of causes, including education, health care, and the arts.
- Serving on the boards of several organizations, including the Henry Ford Health System and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
- Being recognized by Forbes as one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2018.
- Leaving a lasting legacy as a business leader, philanthropist, and trailblazer in the NFL.
Martha Firestone Ford Quotes
Frequently Asked Questions About Martha Firestone Ford
Martha Parke Firestone Ford is a renonwed American businesswoman and retired principal owner and chairperson of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL).
Ford is an American national born on born on 16 September 1925, in Akron, Ohio, United States.
Martha Firestone stands at an average height, she has not shared her height with the public. Her height will be listed once we have it from a credible source.
Ford was married to her husband William Clay Ford Sr., an American businessman who served on the boards of Ford Motor Company and the Edison Institute.
Martha Firestone has an approximate net worth of $1.45 billion. This amount has been accrued from her leading roles as a businesswoman.
Details about Martha Firestone’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much she makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Martha Firestone is a resident of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, USA, we shall upload pictures of her house as soon as we have them.
Martha Firestone is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of her being sick or having any health-related issues.
Ford now serves as Owner/Chair Emeritus and supports her four children – Principal Owner.
Martha Firestone Ford Contacts
- Youtube
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- Website
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