Former First Lady Nancy Reagan Dies Aged 94

The former B movie actress and mother-of-two, who was fiercely protective of the president, suffers congestive heart failure.

Video: The Life Of Nancy Reagan

 

Former US First Lady Nancy Reagan has died at her home in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, aged 94.

The cause of death was congestive heart failure, according to a statement from her office.
She will be buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, next to her husband, former US President Ronald Reagan. He died in June 2004.

The former B movie actress married Reagan in 1952 when he was president of the Screen Actors Guild.
Nancy Reagan: President's Guardian And Soulmate

Nancy Reagan was one of my heroes. She served as First Lady with unbelievable power, class and grace and left her mark on the world. (1/2)

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 6, 2016

She was California's first lady from 1967-75 while her husband was governor of the state and US first lady from 1981-89.
They had two children together, Patti and Ron.
During her time in the White House, she led the "Just Say No" anti-drugs campaign.
She was fiercely protective of her husband and became even more so following the assassination attempt against him outside a Hilton hotel in Washington DC in 1981.

Video: Early Tributes To Nancy Reagan

Her consultations with an astrologer, who recommended which days were best for him to leave the White House, influenced the US president's schedule.
Her star-gazing led to clashes with her husband's chief of staff, Donald Regan, and a power struggle that ended with the latter's resignation.
She was also criticised for spending too much during her time in the White House, including on fine china.
Mrs Reagan was devoted to her husband and cared for him during his nearly decade-long battle with Alzheimer's.

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   Gallery: Nancy Reagan: A Life In Pictures
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    Gallery: Nancy Reagan: A Life In Pictures

She broke with fellow Republicans in recent years to back stem cell research as a way to search for a cure for the disease.
President Barack Obama sent his condolences to Mrs Reagan's family, adding it was "prayerful that she and her beloved husband are together again".
Former President Jimmy Carter also paid tribute to the woman whose husband ousted him from the White House.
He said: "President Reagan has been reunited with his wife and partner but America and the Reagan family have lost a woman of grace and strength."