Nancy Reagan

Nancy Davis Reagan, born Anne Frances Robbins on July 6, 1921, in New York City, was an esteemed American film actress who later became the First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989, as the beloved wife of President Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States.

Her early years were marked by her parents' separation, after which she spent six years in Maryland under the care of an aunt and uncle. Following her mother's remarriage in 1929, Nancy relocated to Chicago and was subsequently adopted by her mother's second husband. Under the name Nancy Davis, she forged a successful career as a Hollywood actress during the 1940s and 1950s, appearing in notable films such as "The Next Voice You Hear...", "Night into Morning," and "Donovan's Brain."

In 1952, Nancy married Ronald Reagan, then president of the Screen Actors Guild, who had two children from a previous marriage to Jane Wyman. Together, Nancy and Ronald had two children of their own. Nancy Reagan had already established herself as a prominent figure during Ronald Reagan's tenure as Governor of California from 1967 to 1975, where she began her advocacy work with the Foster Grandparents Program.

Anne Frances Robbins, later known as Nancy Reagan, was born into a wealthy family in New York City. Her father, Kenneth Robbins, was a car salesman, and her mother, Edith, was a stage actress. Her parents divorced early in her childhood, and her mother remarried Dr. Loyal Davis, a neurosurgeon who adopted Nancy. She attended private schools in Chicago and later enrolled at Smith College in Massachusetts, where she developed an interest in acting and drama.

Nancy Reagan began her career as an actress in the 1940s under the stage name Nancy Davis. She appeared in various films and television productions, although she never achieved major stardom. Her acting career provided her with connections to Hollywood and eventually led her to meet Ronald Reagan, who was then president of the Screen Actors Guild.

After marrying Ronald Reagan in 1952, Nancy focused primarily on supporting her husband's political ambitions. She continued to act sporadically but increasingly took on the role of a political spouse, supporting Ronald Reagan through his governorship of California and his later presidential campaigns.

As First Lady from 1981 to 1989, Nancy Reagan became known for her elegance, her influence on her husband's policies, and her dedication to various causes. She launched the "Just Say No" campaign, which aimed to combat drug abuse among youth, and became a prominent advocate for Alzheimer's disease awareness after Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with the condition.

Nancy Reagan's legacy is multifaceted. She is remembered for her advocacy work, particularly the "Just Say No" campaign, which had a significant impact on public awareness of drug abuse. Her role as First Lady also underscored the influence that political spouses can have on policy and public opinion. In later years, she continued to be involved in charitable activities and maintained a public presence until her death in 2016.

In terms of her future legacy, Nancy Reagan remains an influential figure in American political history and continues to be studied for her impact on social causes and her role in shaping the Reagan presidency. Her contributions to public health awareness and her advocacy for Alzheimer's disease research are part of her enduring legacy.

1. Percha, Julie (March 6, 2016). "Nancy Reagan, Former First Lady, Dies at 94". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
2. When Nancy Davis signed with MGM, she gave her birth date as July 6, 1923, shaving two years off her age, a common practice in Hollywood (see Cannon, Governor Reagan, p. 75). This caused subsequent confusion as some sources would continue to use the incorrect birth year.
3. Powling, Anne; O'Connor, John; Barton, Geoff (1997). New Oxford English. Oxford University Press. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-19-831192-8.
4. Some sources and websites erroneously list her as either being born in Flushing or being raised in Manhattan.
5. "The Sackett Family Association". Sakkett Family. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2016.