If offered a choice between death and exile, he said that he would choose 'the former'. [=he would choose death]
They hope to restore the old theater to its 'former' glory. [=to make it as good as it was in the past]
She is now just a shadow of her 'former' self. [=she is not the same person she once was]
(..) all the tears from their eyes. And there shall be no more death. Neither shall there be sorrow or crying. Neither shall there be any more pain... ..for the former world has passed away. Bloody pull faster, and pull ! (screaming) Hang on, Miss Trudy ! (screaming) (glass shattering) (..)1997 Titanic