The post-presidential career of Richard Nixon began following his resignation as President of the United States on August 9, 1974. While the early months were marked by disgrace, depression, and illness, the former president worked to rehabilitate his reputation and came to be regarded favorably by many as an elder statesman, especially in the area of foreign policy. He wrote extensively, beginning with his memoirs, which were a best seller and were followed by a series of books on leadership, politics, and foreign policy.
Nixon returned from Washington to his California home on August 9, 1974, his resignation becoming effective as his plane flew westwards. The former president's initial reaction to his situation was shock, followed by a deep depression. He increasingly fell ill from phlebitis. He was able to negotiate on a statement of contrition to be released in accepting a pardon from President Gerald Ford, but soon thereafter was hospitalized twice, the second time requiring surgery to save his life.
Beginning in 1975, Nixon again came into the public eye, beginning with a series of interviews with British newsman David Frost. He began to take trips abroad and meet with world leaders, and was sometimes asked for his analysis of the meetings by the U.S. government. His memoirs, published in 1978, became a best-seller. In 1981, he and former Presidents Ford and Carter served as official US representatives at the funeral of Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat.
Nixon completed his transformation to elder statesman, writing a series of best-selling books, principally on foreign policy and leadership, travelling widely, informally advising Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush and commenting on world events. He gained wide respect, even from former opponents, for his work. After his death in April 1994, obituaries, while not neglecting his role in Watergate, applauded him for his work after the Presidency and his self-rehabilitation.