She was born Anne Frances Robbins in New York City. Her divorced mother was an actress who later married prominent neurosurgeon, Dr. Loyal Davis. Dr. Davis moved the family to Chicago and soon adopted young Nancy. She attended Smith College as a theatre major and went to New York following graduation. Eventually, well-connected friends of her mother helped Nancy launch her career. She soon won an MGM contract and was bound for Hollywood.

After signing her MGM contract, Nancy Davis made her Hollywood debut in 1949 with a small role in The Doctor and the Girl. Over the next few years, she appeared in eleven films, including East Side, West Side (1949) and Night Into Morning (1951). While her acting career was respectable, it never reached the level of stardom that some of her contemporaries enjoyed. Nancy was known for playing kind, wholesome characters, a reflection of her gentle and composed off-screen persona.

In 1951, her life took a major turn when she met fellow actor Ronald Reagan. At the time, Reagan was the president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and had already begun to shift his focus from acting to political activism. The two met under somewhat unusual circumstances—Nancy’s name had appeared on a list of suspected communist sympathizers, which alarmed her. She sought Reagan’s help in clearing her name, as he was deeply involved in SAG and had experience dealing with Hollywood’s blacklist. Their professional meeting soon blossomed into a romantic relationship, and the couple married on March 4, 1952.

After their marriage, Nancy largely set aside her acting career, focusing instead on supporting Reagan and raising their two children, Patricia and Ronald, along with Reagan’s two children from his previous marriage to actress Jane Wyman. Nancy did appear in a few more films, such as Donovan’s Brain (1953) and Hellcats of the Navy (1957), the latter of which marked her only on-screen appearance with her husband. However, she increasingly devoted her time to being a wife and mother, which she viewed as her most important roles.

Ronald Reagan’s political career began to take shape in the 1950s and early 1960s. He transitioned from being a Democrat to a conservative Republican, and his charismatic public speaking made him a rising star within the party. During this time, Nancy stood by his side, offering unwavering support as he moved into the political arena. She was known for her sharp political instincts and often served as her husband’s closest confidante and advisor, a role she would continue to play throughout his career.

In 1966, Reagan ran for Governor of California. Nancy, who was always more private and reserved, initially struggled with the demands of political life. Despite her reservations, she embraced the role of a political wife, becoming a gracious and effective campaigner for her husband. Her natural poise and elegance, combined with her genuine devotion to Ronald, helped endear the Reagans to the public. Reagan won the governorship, serving two terms from 1967 to 1975.

During Reagan’s time as governor, Nancy took on the role of First Lady of California, focusing on family issues and advocating for the care of Vietnam War veterans, a cause close to her heart. As the Reagans prepared for their next chapter, it became increasingly clear that Ronald had his sights set on a national role. Nancy remained his most loyal and trusted advisor, often credited with shaping many aspects of his public image and political strategy.

In 1976, Ronald Reagan made his first bid for the presidency, challenging the incumbent Republican president, Gerald Ford, for the party’s nomination. Although Reagan lost that primary contest, the experience paved the way for his successful 1980 presidential campaign. Throughout this period, Nancy remained a constant presence by his side, privately advising and publicly supporting her husband as he prepared for the next stage of his political career: the presidency of the United States.

s First Lady, Nancy Reagan became known not only for her elegance and poise but also for her fierce loyalty and devotion to her husband. Throughout Ronald Reagan’s political career, from his time as Governor of California to his presidency, Nancy was his staunchest ally and confidante. She famously described her role in his life as “protecting Ronnie,” and she was deeply involved in his public and personal well-being. Her fierce protectiveness earned her both admiration and criticism, but she remained unwavering in her support of her husband’s policies and leadership.

One of Nancy Reagan’s most notable contributions as First Lady was her “Just Say No” campaign, aimed at preventing drug abuse among American youth. The campaign, launched in the early 1980s, became a cornerstone of her public work and helped raise awareness of the growing drug epidemic in the United States. Although the campaign drew some criticism for its simplicity, it resonated with millions and became synonymous with her legacy in the White House.

Nancy Reagan’s influence extended beyond her public initiatives. She was often regarded as her husband’s closest advisor, playing a significant behind-the-scenes role in shaping his image and presidency. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, she was instrumental in overseeing the President’s schedule, public appearances, and even staffing decisions. Her involvement was not always without controversy—her reliance on astrologers to help guide certain decisions during Ronald Reagan’s presidency became a subject of public debate—but her deep love and dedication to her husband were evident in everything she did.

Despite the challenges she faced as First Lady, including the attempted assassination of her husband in 1981, Nancy remained a strong and graceful presence by his side. The bond between the Reagans was legendary, and she referred to their marriage as her greatest accomplishment. Their relationship was marked by mutual devotion, and many noted how they seemed inseparable, both during their years in the public eye and in their private life.

After leaving the White House in 1989, Nancy Reagan faced the devastating challenge of watching her beloved husband battle Alzheimer’s disease. Her dedication to his care during the difficult years that followed only deepened the public’s admiration for her resilience and strength. She became an outspoken advocate for Alzheimer’s research, lending her voice and influence to raising awareness about the disease that had taken such a personal toll.

Nancy Reagan passed away on March 6, 2016, at the age of 94. She was laid to rest beside her husband at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. Her life, marked by loyalty, elegance, and a deep commitment to her family, remains an enduring part of American history. Though she was often seen in the shadow of her husband’s political career, her role as First Lady and the legacy she left behind ensured that Nancy Reagan would be remembered as a significant figure in her own right.