Nancy Davis and Ronald Reagan married on March 4, 1952 in the San Fernando Valley in California. It was his second marriage. In 1940, Reagan married the actress Jane Wyman. They divorced in 1948. (Miss Wyman won an Oscar for her role in "Johnny Belinda." Reagan and Miss Wyman have two children.)
Nancy Davis Reagan was born Anne Frances Robbins. When she was a child, her parents were divorced. Her mother later married a wealthy neurosurgeon. Mrs. Reagan was adopted by her stepfather. She grew up in Chicago and attended the Girls' Latin School there. After high school, Mrs. Reagan entered Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She graduated from Smith in 1943.
When she completed college, Mrs. Reagan acted in summer stock theater. She also appeared in the Broadway production of the "Lute Song." In 1949, she became a contract actress with the MGM studio in Hollywood. Before she retired from the movies in the 1950s, Nancy Reagan acted in 11 films. "East Side West Side" and "It's a Big Country" were among her best known films.
As first lady, Nancy Reagan was the president's closest confidant. She persuaded him to seek better relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. She advised him on personnel matters. In public, she sometimes whispered advice in his ear. In 1981, President Reagan was wounded in an assassination attempt. Mrs. Reagan grew concerned about his safety. For a time, she apparently coordinated his travel schedule with an astrologer.
As first lady of California, Mrs. Reagan had supported the Foster Grandparents Program. She continued her support for the program in the White House. But she was best known for her stylish clothes. (She attempted to take a tax deduction for them.) Early in her husband's first presidential term, Mrs. Reagan redecorated the White House. She was criticized for choosing expensive White House china. It was purchased with private funds. It cost more than $200,000.
Nancy Reagan was not an especially popular first lady. To improve her public image, she launched an anti-drug program. It was called "Just Say No." But she was still criticized for her treatment of others. Mrs. Reagan competed openly with the Soviet premier's wife for public attention. She courted the British royal family. Some Washington insiders thought her conduct unseemly.
In 1989, Mrs. Reagan retired with her husband to California. In retirement, she published her memoirs. Her book candidly reflected her views of people she met in Washington. She later said she regretted writing it. It did not enhance her reputation. Nancy Reagan divides her time between the Reagan home in Los Angeles and their ranch in Rancho, Mirage, California.
Ronald Reagan's Children :
Ronald and Nancy Reagan have two children: Patti Davis (writer) and Ronald (television reporter). Reagan has two children from his previous marriage to Jane Wyman: Maureen Reagan (business executive) and Michael (businessman).
