Gerald R. Ford is closing in on a record held by Ronald Reagan -- living longer than any other U.S. president. Ford, who turned 93 on July 14, will become the oldest president Sunday by living to 93 years and 121 days.

"The length of one's days matters less than the love of one's family and friends," Ford said in a statement this week from the Rancho Mirage compound he shares with former first lady Betty Ford, 88.

Ford was president from Aug. 9, 1974, when Richard Nixon resigned, until January 1977. He's suffered a variety of health problems in recent years, including undergoing heart procedures at the Mayo Clinic in August.

"He's doing very well. He's still recuperating," said Ford's chief of staff, Penny Circle.