Nancy Reagan: Remembering the iconic First Lady and actress on her birthday

Before Nancy was center stage as First Lady of the United States, she was in front of the lens as a Hollywood actress. Here she is as then-Nancy Davis co-starring in a scene with actor James Whitmore in the movie ‘The Next Voice You Hear...’ in 1950.

The look of love: Newlywed Nancy enjoys a honeymoon dinner with new husband Ronnie Reagan – then a fellow silver screen actor – at the Stork Club in New York City in 1952.

A still from 1957‘s ’Hellcats Of The Navy’, the only film the two made together.

Actor Ron became California Governor Ronald Reagan in 1967.

On January 20, 1981, the newly-elected President of the United States dances with his favorite leading lady. The couple‘s White House stay would last two terms.

On January 20, 1981, the newly-elected President of the United States dances with his favorite leading lady. The couple‘s White House stay would last two terms.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the President and First Lady at their Santa Barbara ranch, Rancho Del Cielo, in 1983.

Hitting it off with Princess Diana during the royal‘s visit to Washington, D.C. in 1985.

During her husband‘s time in office, Mrs. Reagan earned a reputation as one of our most style-conscious First Ladies, with designers like Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, and Chanel in her closet.

Of all the colors in her wardrobe, though, red was her favorite. Here, wearing one of her signature crimson dresses, Nancy takes to the dance floor with Ron in the White House – one of many photos of the couple doing one of the things they loved most.

In 1994, five years after leaving office, the 83-year-old former President was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. His devoted wife became one of the world’s most high profile champions of the battle against the incurable neurological disorder. Here, Ronald receives a sweet birthday kiss from Nancy as he turns 89 at their home in Bel Air, California in 2000.

In 2004, President Reagan died at the age of 93. Here, Nancy Reagan kisses the casket containing the remains of her husband, US ex-president Ronald Reagan, at the Capitol rotunda shortly before he was taken away for a state funeral ceremony at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, 11 June 2004.

In 2007, Nancy unveiled the ‘First Ladies’ Red Dress Collection’ at the Reagan Library and Museum.

Mrs. Reagan in one of her last public appearances, at the ‘D23 Presents Treasures Of The Walt Disney Archives’ at the Presidential Library in 2012.

When Mrs. Reagan died, condolences flooded in – including an especially moving one from President Barack Obama, pictured here in 2009 with the former First Lady, and his wife Michelle. “Nancy Reagan once wrote that nothing could prepare you for living in the White House. She was right, of course. But we had a head start, because we were fortunate to benefit from her proud example, and her warm and generous advice. Our former first lady redefined the role in her time here. Later, in her long goodbye with President Reagan, she became a voice on behalf of millions of families going through the depleting, aching reality of Alzheimer‘s, and took on a new role, as advocate, on behalf of treatments that hold the potential and the promise to improve and save lives.”

The Obamas’ message closed with a poignant wish: “We offer our sincere condolences to their children, Patti, Ron, and Michael, and to their grandchildren. And we remain grateful for Nancy Reagan’s life, thankful for her guidance, and prayerful that she and her beloved husband are together again.”