Nancy Reagan

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Nancy Reagan 1983.jpg Reagan in 1983

Nancy Davis Reagan (born Anne Frances Robbins; July 6, 1921 – March 6, 2016) was an American actress and the First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989, as the wife of Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. She was born in New York City and raised in Maryland and later in Chicago. After her parents' divorce, she lived with an aunt and uncle for some years. Her mother, Edith Luckett, was a stage actress, and her father, Kenneth Seymour Robbins, was a car salesman.

Early Life and Education

Nancy was born on July 6, 1921, in New York City. Her parents divorced when she was young, and she was raised by her aunt and uncle in Bethesda, Maryland. Her mother remarried to Dr. Loyal Davis, a prominent neurosurgeon, and the family moved to Chicago. Nancy attended the Girls' Latin School of Chicago and later graduated from Smith College in 1943 with a degree in drama.

Acting Career

Nancy began her acting career in the 1940s, initially appearing in stage productions. She signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1949 and appeared in several films, including The Next Voice You Hear... (1950), Night into Morning (1951), and Donovan's Brain (1953). She also appeared in television series and made guest appearances on various shows.

Marriage to Ronald Reagan

Nancy met Ronald Reagan in 1951 while he was serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild. They married on March 4, 1952, and had two children, Patti Davis and Ron Reagan. Ronald Reagan later transitioned from acting to politics, serving as the Governor of California from 1967 to 1975 before becoming the President of the United States in 1981.

First Lady of the United States

As First Lady, Nancy Reagan was known for her elegance and style. She launched the "Just Say No" drug awareness campaign, which aimed to educate children and teenagers about the dangers of drug use. She also redecorated the White House and was involved in various social causes.

Later Life and Legacy

After leaving the White House in 1989, Nancy Reagan continued to be active in public life. She cared for her husband during his battle with Alzheimer's disease until his death in 2004. Nancy Reagan passed away on March 6, 2016, in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California. She is remembered for her contributions as First Lady and her advocacy work.

See Also

• Ronald Reagan
• First Lady of the United States
• Just Say No
• Smith College
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer