Nancy Reagan was a woman whose life touched many different worlds. She was an actress, a devoted wife and mother, First Lady of California, First Lady of the United States, advocate, author, and an important figure in American public life.
Born Anne Frances Robbins on July 6, 1921, in New York City, she later became known professionally as Nancy Davis. She grew up partly in Maryland and Chicago and developed an early interest in acting. After graduating from Smith College in 1943, she began pursuing a career in theater and eventually made her way to Hollywood.
Nancy Reagan’s Hollywood Years
Nancy Davis began her acting career on stage before moving into films and television. In 1949, she made her Hollywood debut and later signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
During her acting career, she appeared in eleven films, including The Doctor and the Girl, East Side, West Side, Shadow on the Wall, Night Into Morning, and Hellcats of the Navy. She also appeared in television productions during the early years of television.
Her Hollywood career introduced her to Ronald Reagan, another actor who would eventually become the 40th President of the United States.
The couple married on March 4, 1952, and remained together for more than five decades.
A Devoted Family Life
Nancy and Ronald Reagan had two children, Patti Davis and Ron Reagan. Ronald also had two children, Maureen and Michael, from his previous marriage.
Family remained an important part of Nancy Reagan’s life even as her husband’s career moved increasingly into politics.
When Ronald Reagan became Governor of California in 1967, Nancy became First Lady of California. During those years, she supported charitable causes and visited hospitals, veterans, children, and older Americans.
One cause that became particularly important to her was the Foster Grandparent Program, which connected older adults with children who benefited from additional care and companionship.
First Lady of the United States
In January 1981, Nancy Reagan entered the White House as First Lady of the United States after Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as president.
She quickly became one of the most recognizable First Ladies of the modern era.
Nancy was involved in White House social events, state dinners, charitable activities, and numerous public appearances. She also developed several causes of her own and traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad.
One of the causes most closely associated with her name was the campaign against drug and alcohol abuse among young people.
The “Just Say No” Campaign
Nancy Reagan became widely known for her anti-drug campaign, commonly associated with the phrase “Just Say No.”
She traveled throughout the United States to speak to young people, parents, educators, and community organizations about the dangers of drug abuse. She also appeared on television programs and in public-service announcements and visited drug-prevention and rehabilitation programs.
Her campaign became one of the most recognizable initiatives associated with a First Lady during the 1980s.
Although the approaches to drug policy during that period have been debated over the years, Nancy Reagan played a significant role in bringing drug prevention into the national conversation.
A First Lady Known for Her Style
Nancy Reagan was also admired and closely followed for her fashion and personal style.
During her years in the White House, she wore designs by many prominent American and international designers. Her elegant gowns, suits, and carefully chosen accessories became part of the visual identity of the Reagan White House.
Her interest in fashion continued to attract attention long after her White House years, and exhibitions of her clothing later offered the public an opportunity to look back at the style of one of America’s most recognizable First Ladies.
Life After the White House
The Reagans left the White House in January 1989 and returned to California.
Nancy remained active in public life, writing and supporting causes that were important to her. She also continued to promote drug-prevention efforts and became increasingly involved in protecting and preserving Ronald Reagan’s legacy.
In 1994, Ronald Reagan announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Nancy became his devoted caregiver during the final decade of his life. She also became an advocate for Alzheimer’s research and medical research more broadly.
Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004.
Nancy continued to honor his memory and remained involved with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library.
Her Final Years
Nancy Reagan continued to make occasional public appearances during her later years, although she increasingly lived a quieter life.
She remained a respected figure among those interested in the Reagan presidency, Hollywood history, and the role of First Ladies in American life.
Nancy Reagan died at her home in Bel Air, California, on March 6, 2016. She was 94 years old.
She was buried beside Ronald Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Remembering Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan’s life cannot be defined by just one chapter.
She began as a young woman pursuing a career in acting and eventually became one of the most recognizable women in America. She experienced Hollywood’s golden era, life as a governor’s wife, eight years in the White House, and more than two decades of life after the presidency.
For movie fans, she remains part of Hollywood history.
For students of American history, she remains an important First Lady.
For those who followed the Reagan family, she is remembered as Ronald Reagan’s wife and lifelong partner.
And for many others, she is remembered for her advocacy, her distinctive style, and the causes she supported throughout her public life.
Nancy Reagan’s story was long and remarkable. From the Hollywood screen to the White House and beyond, she lived through nearly a century of enormous change in American society.
She passed away at the age of 94, but her name remains part of both Hollywood history and the history of the American presidency.
Nancy Reagan
1921–2016
Rest in peace.