Photos: The life of former first lady Nancy Reagan (1921-2016)

Actor Ronald Reagan and his bride, actress Nancy Davis, cut their wedding cake after their marriage at the non-sectarian Little Brown Church of the Valley in North Hollywood, Ca., March 4, 1952. With them are actress Brenda Marshall, left, and her husband, actor William Holden. (AP Photo)

Former Gov. Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, wave goodbye to crowd of newsmen Monday, July 14, 1980 in Los Angeles as he headed for the Republican National Convention in Detroit.
In 1980, former California Gov. Ronald Reagan won the Republican presidential nomination at the party's convention in Detroit. He won the Republican presidential nomination at the party's convention in Detroit on July 16, 1980. (AP Photo/Wally Fong) — Former Gov. Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, wave goodbye to crowd of newsmen Monday, July 14, 1980 in Los Angeles as he headed for the Republican National Convention in Detroit. In 1980, former California Gov. Ronald Reagan won the Republican presidential nomination at the party’s convention in Detroit. He won the Republican presidential nomination at the party’s convention in Detroit on July 16, 1980. (AP Photo/Wally Fong)

Nancy Reagan proudly watches as her husband Ronald Reagan takes the oath of office at the Capitol January 20, 1981. (AP Photo)

FILE – In this June 19, 1984, file photo President Ronald Reagan and his Nancy Reagan address a White House State Dinner audience following the performance of singer Frank Sinatra, left. Sinatra, who died in 1998, at 82, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on Dec. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Scott Stewart, FILE)

AP Photo/Scott Stewart, FILE

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 1984 file photo, first lady Nancy Reagan sits with a fourth and fifth grade class at Island Park Elementary School on Mercer Island, Wash. where she participated in a drug education class. At left is Amy Clarfeld, 10, and Andrew Cary, 10, is at right. During a visit with schoolchildren in Oakland, Calif., Reagan later recalled, "A little girl raised her hand and said, 'Mrs. Reagan, what do you do if somebody offers you drugs?' And I said, 'Well, you just say no.' And there it was born." On the occasion of Legalization Day, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, when Washingtons new law takes effect, AP takes a look back at the cultural and legal status of the evil weed in American history. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet, File) — FILE – In this Feb. 14, 1984 file photo, first lady Nancy Reagan sits with a fourth and fifth grade class at Island Park Elementary School on Mercer Island, Wash. where she participated in a drug education class. At left is Amy Clarfeld, 10, and Andrew Cary, 10, is at right. During a visit with schoolchildren in Oakland, Calif., Reagan later recalled, “A little girl raised her hand and said, ‘Mrs. Reagan, what do you do if somebody offers you drugs?’ And I said, ‘Well, you just say no.’ And there it was born.” On the occasion of Legalization Day, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, when Washingtons new law takes effect, AP takes a look back at the cultural and legal status of the evil weed in American history. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet, File)

President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan are surrounded by Hollywood friends, Dec. 1, 1985 in Burbank, Calif., after the taping of a CBS-TV special honoring the president titled "All-Star Party For Dutch Reagan". Seated, from left: Maureen Reagan, the president, Mrs. Reagan and Michael Reagan. Standing, from left: Frank Sinatra, Burt Reynolds, Dean Martin, Eydie Gorme, Vin Scully, Steve Lawrence, and Paul Keys. (AP Photo/Scott Stewart) — President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan are surrounded by Hollywood friends, Dec. 1, 1985 in Burbank, Calif., after the taping of a CBS-TV special honoring the president titled “All-Star Party For Dutch Reagan”. Seated, from left: Maureen Reagan, the president, Mrs. Reagan and Michael Reagan. Standing, from left: Frank Sinatra, Burt Reynolds, Dean Martin, Eydie Gorme, Vin Scully, Steve Lawrence, and Paul Keys. (AP Photo/Scott Stewart)

FILE- This Jan. 20, 1981 file photo, shows President Ronald Reagan as he gives a thumbs up to the crowd while his wife, first lady Nancy Reagan, waves from a limousine during the inaugural parade in Washington following Reagan's swearing in as the 40th president of the United States. Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, marks the centennial anniversary of Reagan's birth. (AP Photo/File) — FILE- This Jan. 20, 1981 file photo, shows President Ronald Reagan as he gives a thumbs up to the crowd while his wife, first lady Nancy Reagan, waves from a limousine during the inaugural parade in Washington following Reagan’s swearing in as the 40th president of the United States. Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, marks the centennial anniversary of Reagan’s birth. (AP Photo/File)

In this Jan. 20, 1981, file photo, President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan wave to onlookers at the Capitol building as they stand at the podium in Washington following the swearing in ceremony. The inauguration of the U.S. president is traditionally a highly- scripted celebration, with seating charts, schedules, dress rehearsals, and planning committees that map each moment of the history- making day from start to finish. But sometimes the unexpected happens. It was the first inaugural on the terrace, and the west front has been used ever since. But what happened minutes later made this Inauguration Day different from so many before _ Iran freed 52 American hostages it had held for 444 days. A complicated deal, worked out in the final weeks of the Carter administration, eventually secured their freedom. Reagan, however, announced to the nation that the hostages were on their way home. (AP Photo, File)

FILE – In this June 7, 1982 file photo, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his wife, first lady, Nancy Reagan, meet Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. (AP Photo)

AP Photo

Nancy Reagan takes a show for Public Broadcasting Service concerning teenage drug and alcohol abuse on Wednesday, April 14, 1983 in Pittsburgh. The program offered was to fight drug abuse among young people. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

America's First Lady Nancy Reagan holding Rex the dog with Larry Hagman who is dressed as Santa, at the White House, Monday, Dec. 9, 1985, in Washington, USA. Hagman plays J.R. Ewing on the television series "Dallas". The gingerbread house seen behind was created by chef Hans Raffert. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty) — America’s First Lady Nancy Reagan holding Rex the dog with Larry Hagman who is dressed as Santa, at the White House, Monday, Dec. 9, 1985, in Washington. Hagman plays J.R. Ewing on the television series “Dallas”. The gingerbread house seen behind was created by chef Hans Raffert. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty)

FILE - In this Oct. 30, 1986 file photo, talk show host Joan Rivers, right, talks with guest, first lady Nancy Reagan, during her appearance on "The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers," in Los Angeles. Rivers, the raucous, acid-tongued comedian who crashed the male-dominated realm of late-night talk shows and turned Hollywood red carpets into danger zones for badly dressed celebrities, died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. She was 81. Rivers was hospitalized Aug. 28, after going into cardiac arrest at a doctor's office. (AP Photo, Reed Saxon, File) — FILE – In this Oct. 30, 1986 file photo, talk show host Joan Rivers, right, talks with guest, first lady Nancy Reagan, during her appearance on “The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers,” in Los Angeles. Rivers, the raucous, acid-tongued comedian who crashed the male-dominated realm of late-night talk shows and turned Hollywood red carpets into danger zones for badly dressed celebrities, died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. She was 81. Rivers was hospitalized Aug. 28, after going into cardiac arrest at a doctor’s office. (AP Photo, Reed Saxon, File)

First Lady Nancy Reagan sits with students at Rosewood Elementary School in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1987, as they listen to a presentation by Los Angeles police officer Greg Boles. Presentation was part of Los Angeles police department's Project D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). (AP Photo/Nick Ut) — First Lady Nancy Reagan sits with students at Rosewood Elementary School in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1987, as they listen to a presentation by Los Angeles police officer Greg Boles. Presentation was part of Los Angeles police department’s Project D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Eleven month old Nicole Seay reaches out to touch the nose of a teddy bear held by first lady Nancy Reagan on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1988 at the Children's Hospital in Washington. Nicole is held by her mother Corinthia. Mrs. Reagan makes an annual holiday visit to the hospital to greet the children. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) — Eleven month old Nicole Seay reaches out to touch the nose of a teddy bear held by first lady Nancy Reagan on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1988 at the Children’s Hospital in Washington. Nicole is held by her mother Corinthia. Mrs. Reagan makes an annual holiday visit to the hospital to greet the children. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

From left, Mali President Moussa Traore of Maii, joins President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, and Mariam Traore, wife of the Mali president, on arrival at the White House on Thursday, Oct. 6, 1988 in Washington. The Mali president and his wife were greeted at the front entrance of the White House for a state dinner in their honor. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan pose next to their Christmas tree, at the White House , Dec. 22, 1988. (AP Photo/Barry Thumma)

Former President Ronald Reagan, left, his wife Nancy Reagan, new first lady Barbara Bush and her husband President George Bush, right, walk down the Capitol steps after the inaugural ceremony in Washington, D.C., Friday, Jan. 20, 1989. President Bush was sworn in as the nation's 41st president. The Reagans are heading to an awaiting helicopter to take them to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and onto California. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Former President Ronald Reagan, left, his wife Nancy Reagan, new first lady Barbara Bush and her husband President George Bush, right, walk down the Capitol steps after the inaugural ceremony in Washington, D.C., Friday, Jan. 20, 1989. President Bush was sworn in as the nation’s 41st president. The Reagans are heading to an awaiting helicopter to take them to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and onto California. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy pose for pictures during a tour of the "Christmas Around the World" exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum Tuesday, Nov. 22, 1994, in Simi Valley, Calif. The event marked the former President's first public appearance since the Nov. 5, 1994, public announcement that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The disease seems to have silenced Reagan, who cherished the moments he spent spinning yarns about Hollywood andthe White House. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) — Former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy pose for pictures during a tour of the “Christmas Around the World” exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum Tuesday, Nov. 22, 1994, in Simi Valley, Calif. The event marked the former President’s first public appearance since the Nov. 5, 1994, public announcement that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The disease seems to have silenced Reagan, who cherished the moments he spent spinning yarns about Hollywood andthe White House. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Former first lady Nancy Reagan arrives at Ronald Reagan building, Wednesday, May 11, 2005, in Washington. Mrs. Reagan made her first big public event Wednesday, since her husband's state funeral, in the building named after her husband. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) — Former first lady Nancy Reagan arrives at Ronald Reagan building, Wednesday, May 11, 2005, in Washington. Mrs. Reagan made her first big public event Wednesday, since her husband’s state funeral, in the building named after her husband. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Bush exchange glances with former first lady Nancy Reagan during dedication ceremonies for the retired Air Force One Boeing 707 aircraft at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif., Friday, Oct. 21, 2005. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Former U.S. first lady Nancy Reagan speaks during a ceremony unveiling a statue of former President Ronald Reagan in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol June 3, 2009 in Washington, DC. The statue will become part of the National Statuary Hall Collection. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

President Barack Obama escorts former first lady Nancy Reagan into the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, June 2,2009, before signing the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, left, is helped by George Shultz, Secretary of State under President Reagan, as they arrive at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. on Friday, November 6, 2009. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library and The Heritage Foundation commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the advent of freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Former first lady Nancy Reagan sits in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, Wednesday, June 3, 2009, during a ceremony to unveil a bronze statue of President Ronald Reagan. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Republican presidential candidates are greeted by former first lady Nancy Reagan, center, before a Republican presidential candidate debate at the Reagan Library Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, in Simi Valley, Calif. From left are, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, businessman Herman Cain and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, Pool)

Former first lady Nancy Reagan, center, Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert Iger, right, and Frederick J. Ryan Jr., chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, celebrate the opening of the D23 Presents Treasures of Walt Disney Archives exhibit at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif, Thursday, July 5, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

(1/26)

Share This Gallery:

change volume

download audio

March 23, 2025 | Reactions from outside the White House following news of Nancy Reagan's death (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

WASHINGTON — Nancy Reagan, wife of President Ronald Reagan, has died at the age of 94.

An actress during the Golden Years of Hollywood, Nancy Davis married Ronald Reagan in 1952 and became a stalwart supporter of his political career, all the way to the White House in 1980. After his death in 2004, Mrs. Reagan continued to protect and promote his legacy and was active in charitable and political causes, though none other was as controversial as her “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign during the early 1980’s.

Reports say Mrs. Reagan died of congestive heart failure.

Photos: The life of former first lady Nancy Reagan (1921-2016)

Share This Gallery:

Related News

RFK Jr. and Djokovic share a passion for tennis along with their views about vaccines

PHOTO COLLECTION: China World Indoor Athletics

Wildfires prompt evacuation in the Carolinas as New Jersey crews battle their own blaze

Recommended

Former federal prosecutor found dead in Alexandria

Figure skating's world championships are headed to Boston, another chance to heal after DC crash

‘This is not your grandmother’s Easter Egg Roll’: White House seeks corporate sponsorships for Easter event

Sign up for or manage your WTOP email subscriptions

Photos: The life of former first lady Nancy Reagan (1921-2016)

Share This Gallery:

Related News

RFK Jr. and Djokovic share a passion for tennis along with their views about vaccines

PHOTO COLLECTION: China World Indoor Athletics

Wildfires prompt evacuation in the Carolinas as New Jersey crews battle their own blaze

Recommended

Former federal prosecutor found dead in Alexandria

Figure skating's world championships are headed to Boston, another chance to heal after DC crash

‘This is not your grandmother’s Easter Egg Roll’: White House seeks corporate sponsorships for Easter event

Related Categories:

Tags: