Mr. Laz
03-06-2016, 11:24 AM
BREAKING NEWS MAR 6 2016, 12:17 PM ET
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan Dead at 94
by ELISHA FIELDSTADT and HASANI GITTENS
Former first lady Nancy Reagan dead at 94 2:56
Nancy Reagan, one of the most high-profile and influential first ladies of the 20th century, has died, according to a spokeswoman with the Reagan Library. She was 94.
The cause of death was congestive heart failure, according to her rep Joanne Drake. "Mrs. Reagan will be buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, next to her husband, Ronald Wilson Reagan, who died on June 5, 2004," Drake wrote in a statement.
Image: Nancy Reagan, decked out in red lace dress & gold
Nancy Reagan, decked out in red lace dress & gold earrings & necklace set, at "president's dinner" (Reagan endorsement of Bush's candidacy). Diana Walker / Time & Life Pictures via Getty Image, file
"Prior to the funeral service, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to pay their respects at the Library."
"It is a very sad day," former Ronald Reagan Chief of Staff Ken Duberstein told NBC News.
Her step-son Michael Reagan posted on Facebook: "She is once again with the man she loved. God Bless."
Post by NBC News.
Barbara Bush, another former first lady, said in a statement: "Nancy Reagan was totally devoted to President Reagan, and we take comfort that they will be reunited once more. George and I send our prayers and condolences to her family."
In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Reagan asked that contributions be made to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Foundation at www.reaganlibrary.com, Drake said.
Nancy Reagan was born in New York City and when she was six her mother, Edith, a stage actress, married Dr. Loyal Davis, a neurosurgeon. The doctor adopted Nancy and she grew up in Chicago. She later attended Smith College in Massachusetts, where she majored in theater.
Reagan was an actress when she met Ronald Reagan in 1951, then an actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild, according to a White House bio.
Her marriage to Ronald Reagan lasted 52 years until his death in 2004.
While Ronald Reagan was governor of California from 1967 to 1975, Nancy Reagan worked with numerous charitable groups, and spent hours visiting veterans, the elderly, and the emotionally and physically handicapped.
When her husband became president of the Unite States, First Lady Reagan continued her interest in these groups continued, and arguably became best known for her "Just Say No" program fighting against drug abuse among youth.
When Ronald was shot in 1981 by a would-be assassin, Nancy rushed to his side immediately, and later endured his nearly decade-long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
In recent years she broke with fellow Republicans in backing stem cell research as a way to possibly find a cure for Alzheimer's.
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan Dead at 94
by ELISHA FIELDSTADT and HASANI GITTENS
Former first lady Nancy Reagan dead at 94 2:56
Nancy Reagan, one of the most high-profile and influential first ladies of the 20th century, has died, according to a spokeswoman with the Reagan Library. She was 94.
The cause of death was congestive heart failure, according to her rep Joanne Drake. "Mrs. Reagan will be buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, next to her husband, Ronald Wilson Reagan, who died on June 5, 2004," Drake wrote in a statement.
Image: Nancy Reagan, decked out in red lace dress & gold
Nancy Reagan, decked out in red lace dress & gold earrings & necklace set, at "president's dinner" (Reagan endorsement of Bush's candidacy). Diana Walker / Time & Life Pictures via Getty Image, file
"Prior to the funeral service, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to pay their respects at the Library."
"It is a very sad day," former Ronald Reagan Chief of Staff Ken Duberstein told NBC News.
Her step-son Michael Reagan posted on Facebook: "She is once again with the man she loved. God Bless."
Post by NBC News.
Barbara Bush, another former first lady, said in a statement: "Nancy Reagan was totally devoted to President Reagan, and we take comfort that they will be reunited once more. George and I send our prayers and condolences to her family."
In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Reagan asked that contributions be made to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Foundation at www.reaganlibrary.com, Drake said.
Nancy Reagan was born in New York City and when she was six her mother, Edith, a stage actress, married Dr. Loyal Davis, a neurosurgeon. The doctor adopted Nancy and she grew up in Chicago. She later attended Smith College in Massachusetts, where she majored in theater.
Reagan was an actress when she met Ronald Reagan in 1951, then an actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild, according to a White House bio.
Her marriage to Ronald Reagan lasted 52 years until his death in 2004.
While Ronald Reagan was governor of California from 1967 to 1975, Nancy Reagan worked with numerous charitable groups, and spent hours visiting veterans, the elderly, and the emotionally and physically handicapped.
When her husband became president of the Unite States, First Lady Reagan continued her interest in these groups continued, and arguably became best known for her "Just Say No" program fighting against drug abuse among youth.
When Ronald was shot in 1981 by a would-be assassin, Nancy rushed to his side immediately, and later endured his nearly decade-long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
In recent years she broke with fellow Republicans in backing stem cell research as a way to possibly find a cure for Alzheimer's.