By Eliza Berman
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan died from congestive heart failure at age 94. The former actress was already used to the public spotlight when her husband Ronald ran for California governor in 1966.
Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.
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Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com