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She had met Ronald Reagan in 1951, when he was president of the [[Screen Actors Guild]] union. The following year they were married in a simple ceremony in [[Los Angeles]] in the Little Brown Church in the [[San Fernando Valley]]. Mrs. Reagan soon retired from making movies so she "could be the wife I wanted to be...A woman's real happiness and real fulfillment come from within the home with her husband and children," she says. President and Mrs. Reagan have a daughter, Patricia Ann, and a son, Ronald Prescott.

She had met Ronald Reagan in 1951, when he was president of the [[Screen Actors Guild]] union. The following year they were married in a simple ceremony in [[Los Angeles]] in the Little Brown Church in the [[San Fernando Valley]]. Mrs. Reagan soon retired from making movies so she "could be the wife I wanted to be...A woman's real happiness and real fulfillment come from within the home with her husband and children," she says. President and Mrs. Reagan have a daughter, Patricia Ann, and a son, Ronald Prescott.

While her husband was Governor of California from 1967 to 1975, she worked with numerous charitable groups. She spent many hours visiting veterans, the elderly, and the emotionally and physically handicapped. These people continued to interest her as First Lady. She gave her support to the Foster Grandparent Program, the subject of her 1982 book, ''To Love A Child''.  Mrs. Reagan began visiting wounded [[Vietnam War|Vietnam veterans]] and became active in projects concerning POWs and servicemen missing in action.  During the war, she wrote a syndicated column, donating her salary to the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Action in Southeast Asia. <ref>[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/nrbio.html University of Texas, Archives]</ref>  

While her husband was Governor of California from 1967 to 1975, she worked with numerous charitable groups. She spent many hours visiting veterans, the elderly, and the emotionally and physically handicapped. These people continued to interest her as First Lady. She gave her support to the Foster Grandparent Program, the subject of her 1982 book, ''To Love A Child''.  Mrs. Reagan began visiting wounded [[Vietnam War|Vietnam veterans]] and became active in projects concerning POWs and servicemen missing in action.  During the war, she wrote a syndicated column, donating her salary to the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Action in Southeast Asia. <ref>[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/nrbio.html University of Texas, Archives]</ref>  

While First Lady of California, Mrs. Reagan made regular visits to hospitals and homes for the elderly, as well as schools for physically and emotionally handicapped children.  During one of these hospital visits in 1967, she observed participants in the Foster Grandparent Program, a program which brings together senior citizens and handicapped children, and she soon became its champion.  Later, as First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Reagan continued to help expand the program on a national level and promote private funding in local communities.<ref>[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/nrbio.html University of Texas, Archives]</ref>  

While First Lady of California, Mrs. Reagan made regular visits to hospitals and homes for the elderly, as well as schools for physically and emotionally handicapped children.  During one of these hospital visits in 1967, she observed participants in the Foster Grandparent Program, a program which brings together senior citizens and handicapped children, and she soon became its champion.  Later, as First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Reagan continued to help expand the program on a national level and promote private funding in local communities.<ref>[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/nrbio.html University of Texas, Archives]</ref>  

One of her more notable activities while in office was her "Just Say 'No'!" anti-drug program. Mrs. Reagan’s special project is fighting drug and alcohol abuse among youth.  To spotlight the problem, she has traveled nearly 250,000 miles throughout the United States and several countries in conjunction with her campaign to fight substance abuse.  She has appeared on television talk shows, taped public service announcements, written guest articles, and visited prevention programs and rehabilitation centers across the country to talk with young people and their parents.   

One of her more notable activities while in office was her "Just Say 'No'!" anti-drug program. Mrs. Reagan’s special project is fighting drug and alcohol abuse among youth.  To spotlight the problem, she has traveled nearly 250,000 miles throughout the United States and several countries in conjunction with her campaign to fight substance abuse.  She has appeared on television talk shows, taped public service announcements, written guest articles, and visited prevention programs and rehabilitation centers across the country to talk with young people and their parents.   

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>  

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>

{{Cquote|<big>'''The ideals have endured because they are right and are no less right today than yesterday.'''</big>}}  

{{Cquote|<big>'''The ideals have endured because they are right and are no less right today than yesterday.'''</big>}}