Nancy Reagan was born on July 6, 1923 in New York City but spent most of her childhood in Chicago.  The former film and stage actress would go on to become First Lady of the United States-- serving from 1981 until 1989-- when her husband, Ronald Reagan, was elected fortieth president in 1980. "My life really began when I married my husband," says Nancy Reagan.

Her mother, stage actress Edith Luckett Davis, married her adoptive father, Dr. Loyal Davis, a neurosurgeon when Nancy was six.  She received her formal education at Girls' Latin School and attended Smith College, where she majored in drama.

After her graduation in 1943 she became a professional actress, working in summer stock productions. She decided to move to New York City and appeared in Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, one of which was the hit musical Lute Song. In 1949 this led to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Billed as Nancy Davis, she would appear in eleven films between 1949 and 1956. Her first screen role was in Shadow on the Wall. Her last movie, Hellcats of the Navy, was the only one she made together with her husband, Ronald Reagan, whom she had married on March 4, 1952.  The movie was released by Columbia Pictures in 1956.

The Reagans raised two sons and two daughters--Maureen and Michael, offspring from Mr. Reagan's first marriage, and Patricia Ann (Patti) and Ronald Prescott.

Shortly after her husband became governor of California in 1967, Nancy began working with numerous charitable groups and became a strong supporter of the Foster Grandparent Program, a nonprofit service that unites senior citizens with needy children. Mrs. Reagan's special project as First Lady was a campaign against drug and alcohol abuse among young people. As spokeswoman for the "Just Say No" Foundation, she visited prevention and rehabilitation centers throughout the United States and abroad. Since leaving the White House in 1989 Mrs. Reagan has continued her work for drug-free youth under the aegis of the Nancy Reagan Foundation.

Mrs. Reagan has co-authored four books, To Love a Child, Nancy, My Turn and I Love You, Ronnie.

 

Books