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See Nancy Reagan’s Life in Photos

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The Reagans
Washington Reagan's defeat of Jimmy Carter in the 1980 contest signalled a major shift in American politics. Conservatism had triumphed; Nancy and Ron arrived in the capital buoyed by a hopeful Republican electorate. Almost immediately, observers began to ponder to what extent Reagan's political success could be attributed to Nancy. An early People (ITAL) magazine article wondered, "The question asked among her campaign's entourage was not if, but how much, she influenced her husband's policies."David Hume Kennerly—Getty Images
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Portrait of a First Lady When she arrived in Washington in 1981 as the wife of U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan restored a glamour to the White House that had been absent for several administrations. Her unwavering commitment to her husband and his policies, though controversial at times, inspired Americans on both sides of the political spectrum.
Portrait of a First Lady When she arrived in Washington in 1981 as the wife of U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan restored a glamour to the White House that had been absent for several administrations. Her unwavering commitment to her husband and his policies, though controversial at times, inspired Americans on both sides of the political spectrum. Dirck Halstead—Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Movie Star Born Anne Frances Robbins to a car salesman and his actress wife, the future first lady was nicknamed Nancy in infancy and took on the last name Davis after her mother remarried, to a Chicago neurosurgeon named Loyal Davis. With the encouragement of her mother and some help from her mother's friends in the theater, Nancy pursued a career in acting, ultimately landing a seven-year contract with MGM in 1949.
Movie Star Born Anne Frances Robbins to a car salesman and his actress wife, the future first lady was nicknamed Nancy in infancy and took on the last name Davis after her mother remarried, to a Chicago neurosurgeon named Loyal Davis. With the encouragement of her mother and some help from her mother's friends in the theater, Nancy pursued a career in acting, ultimately landing a seven-year contract with MGM in 1949. Everett
Ronald And Nancy Reagan At Table
Fateful Meeting Shortly after her arrival in Hollywood, Nancy discovered that the name Nancy Davis had been placed on a list of Communist sympathizers, a turn of events which could, in the McCarthy era lead to the end of one's career. Convinced that a mistake had been made, she appealed to Reagan, the then president of the Screen Actors Guild, for help. Reagan determined that the name on the list did, in fact, belong to another actress, the two men to discuss the matter, and a romance was born. Hulton/Getty Images
Co-Stars As a film actress, Nancy appeared in 11 films and generally received favorable reviews from critics, though not so much for her most widely mentioned performance, as a nurse engaged to Reagan's character in Hellcats of the Navy, above, the only film in which she and her future husband played together. By the time she was cast in the role, Ron and Nancy had already been married five years. After one more film role and a smattering of televison appearances, Nancy would leave acting for good. She later commented that she became an actress because she "didn't want to go back to Chicago and lead the life of a post-debutante. I wanted to do something until I found the man I wanted to marry."
Co-Stars As a film actress, Nancy appeared in 11 films and generally received favorable reviews from critics, though not so much for her most widely mentioned performance, as a nurse engaged to Reagan's character in Hellcats of the Navy, above, the only film in which she and her future husband played together. By the time she was cast in the role, Ron and Nancy had already been married five years. After one more film role and a smattering of televison appearances, Nancy would leave acting for good. She later commented that she became an actress because she "didn't want to go back to Chicago and lead the life of a post-debutante. I wanted to do something until I found the man I wanted to marry." Everett
Family The Reagans had two children, Patricia Ann, next to Ron in this picture, and Ron Jr. Nancy's relationship with her daughter, who, as an actress, would take the professional name Patti Davis, became rocky later in their lives, as the younger Reagan refused to accept all of her parents' conservative views. Ronald Reagan also had one biological child, Maureen and one adopted child, Michael, from his previous marriage to Jane Wyman.
Family The Reagans had two children, Patricia Ann, next to Ron in this picture, and Ron Jr. Nancy's relationship with her daughter, who, as an actress, would take the professional name Patti Davis, became rocky later in their lives, as the younger Reagan refused to accept all of her parents' conservative views. Ronald Reagan also had one biological child, Maureen and one adopted child, Michael, from his previous marriage to Jane Wyman. Hulton/Getty Images
California Governor As movie roles for Ronald Reagan grew fewer and fewer, he found occupation as a spokesman for General Electric, and in his speeches, he often touched upon the role of government, a process that eventually led him to seek office himself. By 1966, he was out campaigning for the governorship of California, with Nancy at his side. Not big on speechmaking herself, Nancy preferred to work on behalf of her husband by hosting question-and-answer sessions. Reagan would win the job and serve as California governor from 1967 to 1975.
California Governor As movie roles for Ronald Reagan grew fewer and fewer, he found occupation as a spokesman for General Electric, and in his speeches, he often touched upon the role of government, a process that eventually led him to seek office himself. By 1966, he was out campaigning for the governorship of California, with Nancy at his side. Not big on speechmaking herself, Nancy preferred to work on behalf of her husband by hosting question-and-answer sessions. Reagan would win the job and serve as California governor from 1967 to 1975. Bill Ray—Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
The Gaze During her years in Sacramento, reporters frequently dwelled upon the loving, attentive look Nancy gave her husband when he spoke, ultimately naming it "The Gaze." In a 1981 interview, Nancy dismissed the label as political sniping, adding, "I think it's only polite to look at the person who's speaking. Besides, I can't really diget what someone is saying unless I look directly at him or her. I've often wondered what those same people would have said if I'd been looking at my plate or counting the house."
The Gaze During her years in Sacramento, reporters frequently dwelled upon the loving, attentive look Nancy gave her husband when he spoke, ultimately naming it "The Gaze." In a 1981 interview, Nancy dismissed the label as political sniping, adding, "I think it's only polite to look at the person who's speaking. Besides, I can't really diget what someone is saying unless I look directly at him or her. I've often wondered what those same people would have said if I'd been looking at my plate or counting the house." Hulton/Getty Images
The 1976 Campaign Not one year after finishing his second term as California governor, Reagan challenged incumbent President Gerald Ford for the Republican nomination. Nancy accompanied her husband on the campaign trail frequently, including this August trip through the South and East. Though Reagan would ultimately lose the nomination, he campaigned on behalf of Ford in the fall contest, while he and Nancy positioned themselves for a return run in 1980.
The 1976 Campaign Not one year after finishing his second term as California governor, Reagan challenged incumbent President Gerald Ford for the Republican nomination. Nancy accompanied her husband on the campaign trail frequently, including this August trip through the South and East. Though Reagan would ultimately lose the nomination, he campaigned on behalf of Ford in the fall contest, while he and Nancy positioned themselves for a return run in 1980. Bettmann/Corbis
Entertainer In Chief Upon arriving in Washington, Nancy incurred controversy by setting about refurbishing the living quarters of the White House. Though the cost of the work was paid out of private donations, Nancy endured criticism from observers who felt that renovations were not an appropriate pursuit for an administration that was calling for reductions in federally funded social programs. Nancy insisted that the White House had fallen into disrepair, and, as a historically important building belonging to all Americans, it deserved first class treatment. She and Reagan met with Prince Charles and Lady Diana in the living quarters in 1985.
Entertainer In Chief Upon arriving in Washington, Nancy incurred controversy by setting about refurbishing the living quarters of the White House. Though the cost of the work was paid out of private donations, Nancy endured criticism from observers who felt that renovations were not an appropriate pursuit for an administration that was calling for reductions in federally funded social programs. Nancy insisted that the White House had fallen into disrepair, and, as a historically important building belonging to all Americans, it deserved first class treatment. She and Reagan met with Prince Charles and Lady Diana in the living quarters in 1985. White House/Sygma/Corbis
Second Term The First Lady meets with her staff in 1985. Nancy's primary iniative as First Lady was a program aimed at curbing drug abuse among young people christened the "Just Say No" drug awareness campaign.
Second Term The First Lady meets with her staff in 1985. Nancy's primary iniative as First Lady was a program aimed at curbing drug abuse among young people christened the "Just Say No" drug awareness campaign. Dirck Halstead—Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Ronnie's Protector After Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981, Nancy worried about her husband every time he went out in public, and she began to take an active interest in his schedule. Her fears led her to even consult an astrologer, who was divined what days were good to go out and which might be dangerous, a program that naturally conflicted with the more pragmatic members of Reagan's inner circle, particularly his Chief of Staff Donald Regan.
Ronnie's Protector After Reagan survived an assassination attempt in 1981, Nancy worried about her husband every time he went out in public, and she began to take an active interest in his schedule. Her fears led her to even consult an astrologer, who was divined what days were good to go out and which might be dangerous, a program that naturally conflicted with the more pragmatic members of Reagan's inner circle, particularly his Chief of Staff Donald Regan. White House
Post White House After the Reagans left Washington, they returned to California, where they divided their time between their ranch in Santa Barbara and their residence in Bel Air. Nancy continued to dedicate herself to educating young people about the dangers of drug abuse, and devoted more and more time caring for her husband, who revealed in 1994 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
Post White House After the Reagans left Washington, they returned to California, where they divided their time between their ranch in Santa Barbara and their residence in Bel Air. Nancy continued to dedicate herself to educating young people about the dangers of drug abuse, and devoted more and more time caring for her husband, who revealed in 1994 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Ronald Reagan Presidential Library/Getty Images
Ronald Reagan Makes Final Journey in Washington
The Funeral Upon Ronald Reagan's death in 2004, Nancy led the nation in mourning, as she orchestrated a seven-day state funeral that saw her: attend a memorial service at the Reagan Library; witness her husband's body laying in state in the Capitol; attend a service at the National Cathedral where she had invited George H. W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher and Brian Mulroney to speak; stood gravesite at Reagan's final resting place on their ranch, where she finally allowed to herself to cry in public. Chuck Kennedy—Reuters/Corbis
Farewell The Reagans were often noted for the loving, intimate relationship they maintained through their time in Washington and beyond. In a 1981 interview, President Reagan said of her, "She's a warm and generous person...How do you describe someone that makes your life like coming into a warm room?" After TK illness, the former first lady passed away on date tk. She was tk years old.
Farewell The Reagans were often noted for the loving, intimate relationship they maintained through their time in Washington and beyond. In a 1981 interview, President Reagan said of her, "She's a warm and generous person...How do you describe someone that makes your life like coming into a warm room?" After congestive heart failure, the former first lady passed away Sunday, March 6, 2016. She was 94 years old. Eddie Adams—Corbis Outline

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