Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Anne Frances "Nancy" Davis Reagan; 1981-1989

Born: 1921

Nancy Reagan was born in Queens, New York, her father a salesman who left when she was two. Nancy lived with relatives until her mother, an actress who performed with touring shows, wed a physician and moved her daughter to his Chicago home. Adopted at 14 by her stepfather, Nancy majored in drama at Smith College, then landed roles on Broadway and later in Hollywood. There she met actor Ronald Reagan, a divorced father of two. They wed in 1952 and eventually had two children. Over time, Nancy swapped acting for domesticity while Ronald branched out into politics, becoming California Governor in 1967. Fourteen years later, his conservative message of less government and more enterprise struck a national chord and Americans elected him President at 69.

Nancy's initial image as First Lady was as a style setter, petite and immaculately dressed in designer clothes; decorating the White House; purchasing expensive china. But later she focused on substantive issues, especially drug abuse, telling young people to "just say no." Nancy was always protective of Ronald, but she became even more so after the attempt on his life. He trusted her and she wielded no small influence, encouraging his friendship with the Soviet leader Gorbachev. After Ronald retired and was stricken with Alzheimer's disease, Nancy became active in the search for a cure.

Fortieth President
Ronald W. Reagan

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