Nancy Reagan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nancy Davis Reagan
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| First Lady of the United States | |
| In office January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Rosalynn Carter |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Bush |
| First Lady of California | |
| In office January 3, 1967 – January 7, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Bernice Layne |
| Succeeded by | Gloria Saatjian |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 6, 1921 Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Died | March 6, 2016 (aged 94) Bel Air, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, California, U.S. |
| Spouse | Ronald Reagan (m. 1952–2004, his death) |
| Relations | Kenneth Seymour Robbins and Edith Luckett |
| Children | Patti, Ron |
| Alma mater | Smith College |
| Occupation | First Lady of the United States |
| Signature |  |
Nancy Davis Reagan (born Anne Frances Robbins; July 6, 1921 – March 6, 2016) was a famous American actress. She became the First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989. This was because her husband, Ronald Reagan, was the 40th President.
Nancy was born in Manhattan, New York City. Her parents separated when she was young. She lived with her aunt and uncle in Maryland while her mother worked as an actress. Nancy herself became an actress in Hollywood in the 1940s and 1950s. She appeared in movies like Donovan's Brain and Hellcats of the Navy.
In 1952, she married Ronald Reagan. He was then the president of the Screen Actors Guild. They had two children, Ron and Patti. Before becoming First Lady of the U.S., Nancy was the First Lady of California. This was when her husband was Governor from 1967 to 1975. She helped with the Foster Grandparents Program.
As First Lady of the United States, Nancy Reagan started the "Just Say No" campaign. This program taught young people to avoid drugs. She was also known for her love of fashion. She always supported her husband. After he left office, she spent many years caring for him. He had Alzheimer's disease. Nancy Reagan also worked to support stem cell research. She hoped it would help find cures for diseases like Alzheimer's.
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Nancy Reagan's Early Life
Nancy was born in Manhattan, New York City. Her birth name was Anne Frances Robbins. Her mother, Edith Luckett, was an actress. When Nancy was six, her mother married Dr. Loyal Davis. He was a brain surgeon. Dr. Davis adopted Nancy when she was 16. She then changed her name to Nancy Davis.
She grew up mostly in Chicago, Illinois. Nancy also studied at the Latin School of Chicago. Later, she went to Smith College in Massachusetts. She was very good at theater there.
Nancy Reagan's Acting Career
After college, Nancy became an actress. She performed in many plays and movies. She became known as Nancy Davis. She acted in eleven movies between 1949 and 1956.
One of her movies was Hellcats of the Navy (1957). In this film, she acted alongside her husband, Ronald Reagan. Her last movie was Crash Landing in 1958. After that, she appeared in TV shows until 1962. She then stopped acting.
Marriage and Family Life
Nancy met Ronald Reagan in 1951. At that time, he was the president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Nancy had a problem with her name. Another actress with the same name was on a list of people who couldn't get acting jobs. Nancy met Ronald Reagan to fix this mix-up.
They became close and married on March 4, 1952. The wedding was in Los Angeles, California. Nancy once said that her life truly began when she married Ronald.
The Reagans had two children together. Their daughter, Patti Davis, was born in October 1952. Their son, Ron Reagan, was born in May 1958. Nancy was also a stepmother to Michael Reagan and Maureen Reagan. They were Ronald Reagan's children from his first marriage.
First Lady of California
Ronald Reagan served as the governor of California for two terms. This was from 1967 to 1975. During these years, Nancy Reagan was the First Lady of California.
The official governor's home in Sacramento, California was not safe. Fire officials said it was a "firetrap." Nancy helped her family move to a safer home. Some people did not like this decision.
She was very active as the First Lady of California. She visited war veterans, older people, and people with disabilities. She also worked with many charity groups. One important program was the Foster Grandparent Program. She continued to support this program when she moved to Washington, D.C..
First Lady of the United States
When Ronald Reagan became President of the United States in 1981, Nancy became the First Lady. She took on her new role with energy.
Early in her time as First Lady, new dishes were bought for the White House. They cost $200,000. Some people thought this was too much money. This was because the U.S. economy was having problems then. She also wore expensive clothes. This sometimes caused people to talk. However, she once dressed in old clothes and sang a funny song. This made her more popular.
Nancy Reagan was very interested in what happened at the White House. Many people believe she helped her husband make important decisions. She was also known for her classic fashion style. Many women copied her look. She also strongly spoke out against young people using drugs.
After an assassination attempt on her husband in 1981, Nancy became interested in astrology. She used an astrologer to help plan her husband's schedule. This caused some discussion. She wanted to make sure her husband was safe.
In October 1987, doctors found that Nancy Reagan had breast cancer. She had an operation called a mastectomy.
Television Appearances
In 1983, Nancy Reagan appeared on the TV show Dynasty (TV series). She was on the show with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
She also appeared as herself on the popular TV show Diff'rent Strokes. She was on the show to promote her "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign.
Later Life and Advocacy
After leaving the White House, Nancy Reagan lived in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California.
She spent much of her time caring for her husband. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Ronald Reagan passed away at their home on June 5, 2004. Nancy asked President George W. Bush to support research for Alzheimer's.
In 2005, she visited Margaret Thatcher and Prince Charles in London. She had a small accident in her hotel room and needed hospital treatment.
After her husband's death, Nancy became a strong supporter of stem-cell research. She believed it could lead to cures for diseases like Alzheimer's. She asked the U.S. Congress and President George W. Bush to fund this research. President Bush did not agree at first. In 2009, she praised President Barack Obama for allowing more of this research.
Death
Nancy Reagan passed away on March 6, 2016. She was 94 years old. She died at her home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, from heart failure. She was buried next to her husband at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on March 11.
In Popular Culture
- In the 2013 movie The Butler, Nancy Reagan is played by Jane Fonda.
- The band Mission of Burma has a song called "Nancy Reagan's Head" on their 2006 album.
Images for kids
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Young Reagan with her mother, actress Edith Luckett in January 1931.
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Davis in 1950
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Nancy and Ronald Reagan aboard a boat, 1964
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Newlyweds Ronald and Nancy Reagan, March 4, 1952
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Matron of honor Brenda Marshall and best man William Holden, sole guests at the Reagans' wedding, flank the newlywed couple
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Reagan as the first lady of California
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Reagan models for Vogue in the Red Room, 1981
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President Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan and former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis at a fundraiser for the Kennedy Presidential Library, 1985
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Vice President George H. W. Bush, Reagan, and Raisa Gorbacheva (spouse of Mikhail Gorbachev) in Washington, D.C., 1987
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"The Gaze": Reagan watches as her husband is sworn in for a second term by Chief Justice Warren Burger, on January 20, 1985.
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Nancy and Ronald Reagan together in the Oval Office, 1985
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Reagan's official White House portrait in the Vermeil Room
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Reagan dedicates the Air Force One Pavilion at the Reagan Library as President Bush and his wife Laura look on, October 2005
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Reagan accepts the Order of the White Eagle from Polish President Lech Kaczyński on behalf of Ronald Reagan, July 15, 2007
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Reagan with First Lady Michelle Obama at a White House luncheon, June 3, 2009
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Reagan receiving an honorary degree from Eureka College, 2009
See also
In Spanish: Nancy Reagan para niños
