The Life of Nancy Reagan

Chances are, if you’ve been following the American Presidental Elections, you’ll have heard the name “Reagan” tossed around by the aspiring field of Republican candidates. They are, of course, referring to former American president Ronald Reagan- a leader whom they look up and aspire to be like. While Reagan is indeed regarded to be one of the more successful presidents in recent years, there is little doubt that he could have risen to that position without his wife, Nancy Reagan, who passed away on Sunday March 6th, 2016, in her home in Los Angeles. 

Many people, especially current US President Barack Obama, regard Nancy Reagan as the woman who really redefined what it meant to be the First Lady. She was a champion of many causes, including Alzheimer’s advocacy and her controversial “Just Say No” campaign against drug abuse. Whether or not these projects were the most successful is a question often left unanswered, but there is no denying that Reagan pursued her causes with drive and determination. These were also the same qualities that really allowed her and her husband’s team to flourish, and take the White House. Michael K. Deaver, a long time friend of the Reagans, was quoted as saying, “Without Nancy, there would have been no Governor Reagan, no President Reagan”.  She was regarded as her husband’s protector by those who knew the couple best. Reagan’s former Chief of Staff, Ken Duberstein, described their relationship as such: “Everytime she was in the room, he [Ronald Reagan] was better, and every time he was in a room, she was better”. The two have long been regarded as “one of the great love stories of the American presidency“. 

During her time in the White House, she thrived, taking on projects involving the redecoration and upkeep of the building, some of which had not been updated in over twenty years. She was well-liked and respected by a plethora of members of government, Democrats and Republicans alike. She was also regarded as somewhat of a style icon in her day. Beyond this, she continued to appear on the Gallup Poll’s list of Top 10 Most Admired Women in the country during her husband’s time in office, taking over the Number 1 spot in 1981. 

While her husband is held in high regard by members of today’s Republican party, Nancy Reagan insisted that her husband’s duty wasn’t just isolated to those that stood with his party. She believed that her husband and, by extension, she herself represented “all of the American people, not just Republicans“.

Nancy will be buried next to her husband at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. She is survived by her children Patti Davis and Ron Reagan, as well as Michael Reagan, the son of Ronald Reagan and his first wife Jane Wyman. Although she may be gone, she has left behind a legacy that is sure to withstand the test of time. 

Sources obtained from: 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/06/politics/nancy-reagan-dies-obit/

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/07/us/nancy-reagan-a-stylish-and-influent…

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nancy-reagan-dead-94-n532871

http://a.abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/gty_ladies_nancy_kb_120626_wmain…

http://www.coinworld.com/content/dam/cw/news/2015/March/030215/SCIN_Reag…

http://www-tc.pbs.org/prod-media/newshour/photos/2011/01/27/12_blog_main…

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