Nancy was an only child. Her parents divorced when she was two. For a time, Nancy lived with her aunt and uncle. When Nancy was eight years old, her mother remarried. Nancy’s stepfather adopted her. She took his last name, Davis.

Nancy finished college in 1943. She studied acting. After doing different jobs, Nancy went into acting. She acted in eleven movies. She met Ronald Reagan in Hollywood. He was also an actor. They married in 1952. Together, they had two children.

Nancy helped in her husband’s political campaigns. She advised him. She gave him confidence. Ronald Reagan became president in 1981.

Nancy Reagan was the first actress to become First Lady. She was rich and stylish. Nancy got off to a poor start as First Lady. The public thought she spent too much money on fixing up the White House. They thought White House parties cost too much.

Nancy felt the public was unfair. She studied other First Ladies. She adopted a cause, an anti-drug program. Just Say No was a program against drug abuse. She also started a foster grandparents program.

The Reagans were very close. Nancy’s views were very important to Reagan. He even fired people that she disliked.

The Reagans settled in California when they left the White House. Nancy continued to support anti-drug programs. Ronald Reagan had Alzheimer’s disease. He slowly lost his memory. Nancy stayed by his side. He died 10 years later. Nancy supported research into treatment for the disease.