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[[Image:NReagan.jpg‎|right|thumb|350px|Nancy Reagan, 1988]]

[[Image:NReagan.jpg‎|right|thumb|350px|Nancy Reagan, 1983]]

'''Nancy Davis Reagan''' was born on July 6, 1921, and was the wife of the late former [[President of the United States of America|President of the United States]] [[Ronald Wilson Reagan]]. As such, she was the [[First Lady]] from 1981-1989. She was born Anne Frances Robbins, in [[New York City]]. Her parents, (mother was actress Edith Luckett) separated before she was born, and they were [[divorce]]d. Before she was six, her mother married Dr. Loyal Davis, a neurosurgeon. Dr. Davis adopted her, and she grew up in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]].  She received her formal education at Girls' Latin School and at [[Smith College]] in [[Massachusetts]], where she majored in theater. <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/nr40.html White House website.]</ref>

'''Nancy Davis Reagan''' (July 6, 1921 – March 6, 2016) was the wife of the late former [[President of the United States of America|President of the United States]], [[Ronald Wilson Reagan]]. Not as [[conservative]] as her husband's supporters but staunchly loyal to him, she was the [[First Lady]] from 1981-1989. She was born Anne Frances Robbins, in [[New York City]]. Her parents (mother was actress Edith Luckett) separated before she was born, and they were [[divorce]]d. Before she was six, her mother married the politically [[conservative]] Dr. [[Loyal Davis]], a neurosurgeon. Dr. Davis adopted her, and she grew up in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]].  She received her formal education at Girls' Latin School and at [[Smith College]] in [[Massachusetts]], where she majored in theater.<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/firstladies/nr40.html White House website.]</ref>

Soon after graduation she became a professional actress. She toured with a road company, then landed a role on Broadway in the hit musical Lute Song. More parts followed. One performance drew an offer from Hollywood. Billed as Nancy Davis, she performed in 11 films from 1949 to 1956. Her first screen role was in ''Shadow on the Wall''. Other releases included ''The Next Voice Your Hear'' and ''East Side, West Side''. In her last movie, ''Hellcats of the Navy'', she played opposite her husband, [[Ronald Reagan]]. <ref>[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/nrfilms.html Nancy Reagan Films]</ref>

Soon after graduation she became a professional actress. She toured with a road company, then landed a role on Broadway in the hit musical Lute Song. More parts followed. One performance drew an offer from Hollywood. Billed as Nancy Davis, she performed in 11 films from 1949 to 1956. Her first screen role was in ''Shadow on the Wall''. Other releases included ''The Next Voice Your Hear'' and ''East Side, West Side''. In her last movie, ''Hellcats of the Navy'', she played opposite her husband, [[Ronald Reagan]]. <ref>[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/nrfilms.html Nancy Reagan Films]</ref>

In April 1985 Mrs. Reagan expanded her drug awareness campaign to an international level by inviting First Ladies from around the world to attend a two-day briefing in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia, on the subject of youth drug abuse.  During the 40th Anniversary of The [[United Nations]] in 1985, Mrs. Reagan hosted 30 First Ladies for a second international drug conference.  She was also the first American First Lady to address the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly whose meeting she attended in October 1988. <ref>[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/nrbio.html Reagan Library/U of Texas archives]</ref>   

In April 1985 Mrs. Reagan expanded her drug awareness campaign to an international level by inviting First Ladies from around the world to attend a two-day briefing in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia, on the subject of youth drug abuse.  During the 40th Anniversary of The [[United Nations]] in 1985, Mrs. Reagan hosted 30 First Ladies for a second international drug conference.  She was also the first American First Lady to address the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly whose meeting she attended in October 1988. <ref>[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/nrbio.html Reagan Library/U of Texas archives]</ref>   

She was criticized by a few for her ''apparent'' dabbling in [[astrology]].<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reagan/peopleevents/pande03.html</ref>

She was criticized by a few for her ''apparent'' dabbling in [[astrology]].<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reagan/peopleevents/pande03.html</ref> Despite these popular claims to the contrary, neither he nor his wife consulted astrologer [[Joan Quigley]] regarding policy decisions.  Only the First Lady consulted this astrologer, and only to help allay her fears that her husband would be assassinated.

Mrs. Reagan shared her lifelong interest in the arts with the nation by using the Executive Mansion as a showcase for talented young performers on the [[PBS]] television series ''In Performance at the White House'' In her first year in the mansion she directed a major and sorely needed renovation of the second- and third-floor quarters. <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/nancyreagan Official White House Biography]</ref>

Mrs. Reagan shared her lifelong interest in the arts with the nation by using the Executive Mansion as a showcase for talented young performers on the [[PBS]] television series ''In Performance at the White House''.  In her first year in the White House she directed a major and sorely needed renovation of the second- and third-floor quarters. <ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies/nancyreagan Official White House Biography]</ref>

In each Annual Gallup Poll from 1981 to 1989, the American public voted Mrs. Reagan one of the ten most admired women in the world, and in 1981, 1985, and 1987, voted her number one.  Every year since 1981, she has been named one of the ten most admired women in the world by readers of Good Housekeeping magazine, and in 1984, 1985, and 1986 she ranked number one in that poll. <ref>[http://www.gallup.org Gallup Most Admired list]</ref>  

In each Annual Gallup Poll from 1981 to 1989, the American public voted Mrs. Reagan one of the ten most admired women in the world, and in 1981, 1985, and 1987, voted her number one.  Every year since 1981, she has been named one of the ten most admired women in the world by readers of Good Housekeeping magazine, and in 1984, 1985, and 1986 she ranked number one in that poll. <ref>[http://www.gallup.org Gallup Most Admired list]</ref>

== Retirement ==

== Retirement ==

After her husband retired from the Presidency and was diagnosed with [[Alzheimer's disease]], she became an advocate for [[stem cell research]].<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3700015.stm</ref>

After her husband retired from the Presidency and was diagnosed with [[Alzheimer's disease]], she became an advocate for [[stem cell research]].<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3700015.stm</ref>

Now living in retirement in [[California]], she continues to work on her campaign to teach children to "just say no" to drugs. In her book ''My Turn'', published in 1989, she gives her own account of her life in the [[White House]].  Through the joys and sorrows of those days, including the assassination attempt on her husband, Nancy Reagan held fast to her belief in love, honesty, and selflessness:

While living in retirement in [[California]], she continued to work on her campaign to teach children to "just say no" to drugs. In her book ''My Turn'', published in 1989, she gives her own account of her life in the [[White House]].  Through the joys and sorrows of those days, including the assassination attempt on her husband, Nancy Reagan held fast to her belief in love, honesty, and selflessness:

 

== Short Facts ==

== Short Facts ==

[[Category:Statesmen]]

[[Category:Statesmen]]

[[Category:First Ladies]]

[[Category:First Ladies]]