Nancy Reagan

Formal Photograph of Nancy Davis and Edith Davis

Publicity Shot of Nancy Davis

Nancy Reagan - 1950

Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan aboard a boat in California 1964

Ronald and Nancy Reagan Newlyweds

Nancy Reagan (born Anne Frances Robbins; July 6, 1921 – March 6, 2016) was an American actress and the First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989. She was married to Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. Nancy Reagan was known for her influence within the Reagan administration, her dedication to her husband, and her social initiatives, most notably the "Just Say No" drug awareness campaign.

Early Life

Nancy Reagan was born in New York City and was raised in Bethesda, Maryland, and Chicago, Illinois. She pursued an acting career in Hollywood and appeared in several films in the 1940s and 1950s. Her meeting with Ronald Reagan, then a fellow actor, led to their marriage in 1952.

Acting Career

Before her marriage, Nancy Reagan was credited as Nancy Davis in her acting roles. She appeared in eleven feature films, notably The Next Voice You Hear... and Hellcats of the Navy, the latter of which also starred her husband, Ronald Reagan.

First Lady of California

Nancy Reagan became the First Lady of California when Ronald Reagan was elected Governor in 1966. During her time in Sacramento, she worked on several projects, including those related to veterans, the elderly, and the environment.

First Lady of the United States

As the First Lady of the United States, Nancy Reagan was known for her elegance and style. She initiated the renovation of the White House, which included restoring the private living quarters and updating the building's historical appearance. Her most significant public initiative was the "Just Say No" campaign, which aimed to educate children and teenagers about the dangers of drug abuse.

Later Years and Legacy

After leaving the White House, Nancy Reagan devoted much of her time to caring for her husband, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994. She became an advocate for Alzheimer's research and for the use of stem cell research in finding a cure. Nancy Reagan's legacy is marked by her dedication to her husband, her contributions to social causes, and her influence on the Reagan presidency.

Death

Nancy Reagan died on March 6, 2016, at the age of 94. She was buried next to her husband at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.