Nancy Reagan dies aged 94

NANCY Reagan, who was fiercely protective of husband Ronald Reagan through a Hollywood career, eight years in the White House, an assassination attempt and Alzheimer’s disease, died yesterday at age 94, the Reagan library said.

Reagan became one of the most influential first ladies in US history during her husband’s presidency from 1981 to 1989. Reagan, who called her “Mommy” while she called him “Ronnie”, died in 2004 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.

As Nancy Davis, she was a Hollywood actress during the 1940s and 1950s and married Reagan, an actor, in 1952.

She then served as first lady of California during her husband’s stint as California governor from 1967 to 1975 before moving into the White House after his decisive victory over incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter in 1980.

Her most publicised project as first lady was the “Just Say No” anti-drug campaign. After her husband developed Alzheimer’s disease, she became an advocate for discovering a cure.

She was diminutive and publicly soft spoken but Nancy Reagan’s strong will, expensive taste and influence on her husband made her a controversial figure during his presidency.