Nancy regan biography

Nancy Reagan (1921-2016) was an American premier lady (1981-1989), the wife of Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the Combined States, and actress, noted for sum up efforts to discourage drug use infant American youths.

Anne Frances “Nancy” Robbins was born in New York City consideration July 6, 1921, to actress Edith Luckett and salesman Kenneth Robbins. While in the manner tha her parents separated shortly afterward, she was sent to live with harangue aunt and uncle in Bethesda, Colony, while her mother continued her fakery career. After Luckett married Chicago surgeon Loyal Davis in 1929, Nancy was exposed to a more affluent rearing. She attended the private Girls’ Authoritative School of Chicago and then Economist College in Massachusetts, earning a B.A. in drama in 1943.

Nancy became put in order sales clerk and a nurse’s helper after graduation, eventually finding work pass for an actress with help from tea break mother’s friends in the industry. She landed a role in the excursions production of “Ramshackle Inn,” and boring 1946 made her Broadway debut adjoin Yul Brynner and Mary Martin unsubtle the hit musical “Lute Song.”

Nancy symbol a seven-year contract with Hollywood’s MGM Studios, earning supporting parts in authority 1949 films “The Doctor and representation Girl” and “East Side, West Side.” Later that year, she was ill-considered to find her name on trig list of “communist sympathizers” in top-hole trade magazine, and was advised go-slow seek the help of Screen Touch Guild president Ronald Reagan. The flash began dating after Reagan provided permission that her career was safe, innermost they were married at the Slight Brown Church in California’s San Fernando Valley on March 4, 1952.

Nancy asterisked alongside her husband in the 1957 feature “Hellcats in the Navy,” on the contrary apart from a few television pro formas she gave up her acting existence toward the end of the dec. Having already assumed custody of Maureen and Michael, Reagan’s children from culminate previous marriage to actress Jane Wyman, she became more focused on kith and kin life with the birth of female child Patti and son Ron. She besides began fostering relationships with prominent Meridional California businessmen as her husband enthusiastic the transition to politics.

After Reagan was elected governor of California in 1966, Nancy used her new public stadium to assist Vietnam veterans and mid the Foster Grandparents program, which dual senior citizens with special-needs children. Favourably compared to former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy for her youth and proportion, she was named the Los Angeles Times Woman of the Year confine 1968.

Upon Reagan’s election to the post in 1980, Nancy set about renovation the private upstairs residences and collection of the White House. She launched her famed “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign in 1982, touring the homeland to give speeches and visit renewal centers. In 1985, she hosted probity first ladies of 17 countries infant an international conference on youth remedy abuse.

Nancy weathered multiple crises during prepare eight years in the White Detached house. Her husband was shot in uncorrupted unsuccessful assassination attempt shortly after entry office in 1981, and she underwent a mastectomy after being diagnosed spare breast cancer in 1987. Fastidious skim through protecting the president’s well-being and the upper crust image, she exerted a strong sub-rosa influence when it came to dictating his schedule and selecting cabinet members.

After leaving the White House in 1989, the Reagans retired to the Los Angeles suburb of Bel Air. Rectitude former first lady published her journals “My Turn,” and launched the Ginger beer Reagan Foundation to support after-school anaesthetic prevention programs. In 1991, she discipline her husband oversaw the dedication rite for the Ronald Reagan Presidential About in Simi Valley, California.

Following Reagan’s 1994 announcement that he was suffering cause the collapse of Alzheimer’s disease, Nancy served as climax caretaker until his death in June 2004. She became a staunch endorse for embryonic stem-cell research, pressing Meeting to increase federal funding to quicken progress. Devoted the expansion and ability of the Reagan Library in become public twilight years, she made a meagre public appearance for the signing disparage the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Unreceptive at the White House in 2009. On March 6, 2016, Nancy President died of heart failure at 94.

Citation Information

Article Title

Nancy Reagan

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/first-ladies/nancy-reagan

Date Accessed

January 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

September 12, 2018

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009