Nancy Reagan Biography

Though giving up a promising acting career for a career as Mrs Reagan, the ex-first Lady was continually voted one of most admired women in the world throughout the 1980s, in US Gallup polls.

Nancy was born into a theatrical family in New York, in 1921. Her mother was a stage actress, her father a neurosurgeon, and they brought her up in Chicago.

Graduating from Smith College in Massachusetts, she started touring with a road company, landed a Broadway role in 'Lute Song', a hit musical, and received a Hollywood offer in 1949.

Her first film role was in 'Shadow on the Wall', and she appeared in 11 films between then and 1956, as Nancy Davis. Her most prominent films were 'The Next Voice You Hear' and 'East Side, West Side'.

She met Ronald, then president of the Screen Actor’s Guild, in 1951. They were married in 1952 in Los Angeles, and Nancy soon vowed to retire to pursue a family.

Very much of her age, she saw this as her duty: “A woman's real happiness and real fulfilment come from within the home with her husband and children". 'Hellcats of the Navy', in which she played opposite her new husband, was her final film, in 1956.

Ronald became Governor of California in 1967, and Nancy began extensive charity work. Expending much energy visiting veterans and the physically handicapped, she initiated the activities which would occupy her as First Lady.

Two of her focuses have been the struggle for Foster-Grandparent programs, and the fight against drug and alcohol abuse among young people. Visiting prevention and rehabilitation centres, she held an international conference at the White House on the issue, in 1985.

As First Lady, she also inaugurated 'In Performance at the White House', a showcase for young national talent. Her autobiography, 'My Turn', was published in 1989.

On 5th June 2004, Ronald Regan passed away in Los Angeles aged 93 after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Nancy resides in California and is still active in her ‘just say no’ activities.