Table of Contents
Who Was Nancy Reagan?
Nancy Reagan, the former First Lady of the United States, was an influential figure who shaped her husband Ronald Reagan’s presidency through her advocacy and personal support. Before her role as First Lady, she was a Hollywood actress in the 1940s and 1950s. Born Anne Frances Robbins on July 6, 1921, in New York City, she married Ronald Reagan in 1952. Nancy played a vital role in advising her husband throughout his political career, most notably championing the “Just Say No” drug awareness campaign during their time in the White House. Following her husband’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, she became a passionate advocate for finding a cure for the illness.
Early Life
Nancy Reagan’s early life was marked by challenges that would shape her resilience and future endeavors. Raised in New York City as the only child of Kenneth and Edith Luckett Robbins, Nancy’s upbringing changed dramatically after her parents’ separation when she was an infant. Her mother, an aspiring actress, sent her to live with her aunt and uncle in Bethesda, Maryland. Nancy attended Sidwell Friends School and would often visit her mother during her theater engagements in New York. In 1929, Edith married a prominent neurosurgeon, Loyal Davis, who later adopted Nancy and changed her last name to Davis. This transition introduced her to a life of privilege, as she attended the Girls’ Latin School and later pursued a degree in drama at Smith College, graduating in 1943.
Acting Career
After college, Nancy began her career in the arts with a series of modest jobs, including working as a sales clerk and a nurse’s aide. Through her mother’s connections, she secured a role in the touring production of Ramshackle Inn, which eventually made its way to Broadway. In 1949, Nancy signed a seven-year contract with MGM Studios, though her rise to stardom was gradual. Initially typecast in minor roles, she appeared in films such as The Doctor and the Girl and East Side, West Side. Despite the challenges, she cherished her role as Mrs. Katherine Mead in Night into Morning (1951) as one of her favorite performances.
Marriage to Ronald Reagan
By 1949, Nancy faced professional setbacks, including being mistakenly placed on the Hollywood blacklist. Seeking help, she reached out to Ronald Reagan, then president of the Screen Actors Guild. Their initial attraction blossomed into a relationship, and after a few years, the couple married on March 4, 1952. Nancy embraced her new role as a devoted wife and mother, giving birth to their first child, Patricia Ann, in 1952. While she continued to act in a few films, including Hellcats of the Navy, her primary focus shifted toward raising their growing family, which would include Ronald P. Reagan and two children from Ronald’s previous marriage, Maureen and Michael.
Political Rise in California
Nancy’s political journey began when Ronald Reagan was elected Governor of California in 1967. As First Lady of California, she faced criticism for expressing concerns about the safety of the governor’s mansion and moving her family to a more secure location. However, her involvement in initiatives like the Foster Grandparents Program helped improve her public image, leading the Los Angeles Times to describe her as “a model first lady.” When Ronald Reagan pursued the presidency, Nancy initially hesitated but ultimately embraced her role as a political spouse, engaging in campaign activities and providing essential support.
U.S. First Lady
Nancy Reagan’s time in the White House, beginning in 1981, was characterized by both challenges and accomplishments. Her initiative to redecorate the executive mansion faced backlash amid economic struggles, leading to perceptions of extravagance. However, in 1982, she pivoted her public image by advocating for drug abuse awareness through the “Just Say No” campaign. Her efforts garnered national attention and legislative support, culminating in the “National Crusade for a Drug-Free America” act signed into law by President Reagan in 1986. Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, Nancy continued her advocacy, even addressing the United Nations on drug trafficking.
Nancy also became deeply protective of her husband following an assassination attempt on him in 1981. This protective nature led to tensions within the administration, particularly with Chief of Staff Donald Regan, especially regarding her reliance on astrology for scheduling decisions.
Later Years
After leaving the White House, Nancy established the Nancy Reagan Foundation to support drug prevention programs and remained actively involved in various initiatives, including the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Following Ronald Reagan’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 1994, Nancy took on the role of primary caregiver, advocating for Alzheimer’s research and support.
After her husband’s death in 2004, she became a vocal advocate for stem-cell research, opposing the policies of President George W. Bush. Throughout her later years, Nancy continued to honor her husband’s legacy and received numerous accolades for her contributions, including the Order of the White Eagle from Poland.
Death and Funeral
Nancy Reagan passed away from congestive heart failure on March 6, 2016, at the age of 94. Her funeral, attended by notable figures such as Michelle Obama and former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Rosalynn Carter, reflected her enduring impact on American society. She was laid to rest alongside her husband at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, marking the end of a significant chapter in American history.