.Former First Lady died of congestive heart failure in Bel Air on Sunday
- .She was influential during her husband's presidency from 1981 to 1989
- .Mrs Reagan spearheaded the 'Just Say No' to campaign against drugs
Nancy Reagan has died at the age of 94.
The former First Lady, wife of President Ronald Reagan, passed away in Bel Air on Sunday after suffering congestive heart failure.
Starting as an actress in the 1940s and 1950s, she married Ronald Reagan - then president of the Screen Actors Guild - in 1952.
Mrs Reagan was an influential First Lady during her husband's presidency from 1981 to 1989.
Notably she spearheaded the 'Just Say No' to campaign against drugs, speaking at schools and appearing on TV shows such as Dynasty and Diff'rent Strokes to promote the cause.
Nancy Reagan has died at the age of 94
The former First Lady, who was married to President Ronald Reagan, passed away in Bel Air
Nancy Davis was an actress when she married Ronald Reagan - then president of the Screen Actors Guild - in 1952. Pictured: their wedding, left, and a head shot from a play at Smith College in Massachusetts, right
Despite her own health setbacks Mrs Reagan remained active in politics, particularly in stem-cell research
'Drugs take away the dream from every child’s heart and replace it with a nightmare, and it’s time we in America stand up and replace those dreams,' she said in a speech which led to 12,000 Just Say No clubs being set up across the country and a Just Say No Week implemented by Congress.
Her efforts are credited with driving cocaine use down to a 10-year low.
Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.
In recent years, Nancy struggled with her health after falling at home and breaking three ribs in 2012, not long after breaking her pelvis at home in 2008.
Despite her own health setbacks, however, Mrs Reagan remained active in politics, particularly in relation to stem-cell research.
She also endorsed Mitt Romney for the presidency in 2012.
On Sunday, Mrs Reagan's adopted stepson Michael Reagan led tributes to the former First Lady on Twitter, writing: 'I am saddened by the passing of my step mother Nancy Reagan...She is once again with the man she loved.God Bless...'
Rand Paul tweeted: 'Nancy Reagan was an exemplary First Lady and woman. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones. RIP Mrs. Reagan'
Born in New York City in 1921, her birth certificate reads Anne Francis Robbins, but everyone called her Nancy from the start.
At the time her mother Edith Luckett, an actress on Broadway, and her father Kenneth Robbins, a car salesman, were married and living in New York.
She married Ronald Reagan in 1952. They served in the White House from 1981 to 1989. Pictured: The couple with their son Ronnie before the presidency (left) and on a 1984 trip to the Great Wall Of China (right)
The couple at their California ranch in 1983
Nancy Reagan touches the casket of her husband, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, as it lies in state in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, June 9, 2004
But within months of Nancy's birth, they divorced, her father disappeared, and her mother joined a traveling theater company.
As Edith traveled, Nancy lived with her aunt in Flushing, Queens, until she was six years old.
In 1929, Edith married a neurosurgeon called Loyal Davis, who adopted Nancy and moved the family to Chicago.
Nancy went to college in Chicago then university in Massachusetts, majoring in English and Drama.
She then moved to New York to follow in her mother's footsteps and become an actress, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Katherine Hepburn.
In March 1949, she signed a seven-year contract with MGM and relocated to Hollywood to star in movies such as The Next Voice You Hear, which received a glittering review in the New York Times.
In October 1949, she met Ronald Reagan.
The couple met during Nancy's bid to clear her name after she was accused of being a Communist.
Her name appeared on a list of suspected 'sympathizers' published by the Hollywood Reporter.
Desperate to clarify that she was not a Communist, she arranged to meet with the then-president of the Screen Actor's Guild, Ronald Reagan, for dinner to discuss it.
According to her profile on the Reagan Library website, neither planned to have a late night but they got on so well they stayed at a night club for two shows after dinner.
From that moment on, they were dating but for a year they weren't exclusive, since Reagan had recently divorced.
They married in 1952 - and appeared in a movie together, Hellcats Of The Navy, in 1956.
Mrs Reagan pictured, left, on the popular TV show Diff'rent Strokes to promote the Just Say No campaign in 1983. She also appeared on Dynasty. She is seen, right, getting a basketball lesson in 1988
Her efforts with the Just Say No campaign are credited with driving cocaine use down to a 10-year low
Nancy Reagan (center left) with (L-R) Gerald Ford, his wife Betty Ford, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, his wife Pat Ryan, Barbara Bush, and George H W Bush at the opening of the Nixon Presidential Library in 1990
Ten years later, Ronald Reagan ran for office and in 1967 he was sworn in as governor of California.
Nancy didn't enjoy quiet life in Sacramento in their Victorian mansion, and at first commuted to and from Los Angeles.
However, she was applauded for her work, and was described by the Los Angeles Times as 'a model First Lady'.
Naming her 'woman of the year', the Times described her as 'informed, interest and beautifully turned out day after day'.
She used the role to champion causes, such as the 'foster grandparents' campaign, pairing lonely elderly people with children in need. The program is still in operation nationwide today.
As a couple, the Reagans were enlisted often by President Nixon to represent America around the world.
They were dispatched to the opening of the Cultural Center in the Philippines in 1969, and to meet with officials in Japan, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan in 1971.
In 1972, they were sent to Europe to meet with General Franco, Pope Paul VI, and the Queen of Denmark.
When Reagan's second term came to an end, he did not seek reelection. Instead, he turned his sights to the White House, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Gerald Ford for the Republican nomination in 1976.
Trying again in 1980, Ronald sought Nancy's advice throughout, and she was rarely out of sight.
It was Nancy who fired their campaign manager after conceding the primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire, and even wrote the press release announcing the move.
She then attended events daily, holding meetings and rallies to claw back his lead.
In the White House, she was equally influential.
She is survived by two children: Patricia Ann and Ronald Prescott.
She will be buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, next to her husband Ronald.
A statement released by the Reagan Library said: 'In lieu of flowers, we hope you will remember Mrs. Reagan with a memorial gift to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.
'The Reagan Foundation was created by President and Mrs. Reagan to preserve the Reagan Legacy and continue President Reagan’s work for the benefit of future generations.'
On Sunday, tributes flooded in from political figures including aspiring presidents Ted Cruz and Donald Trump.
Former President George W Bush released a statement on behalf of himself and his wife.
It read: 'Laura and I are saddened by the loss of former First Lady Nancy Reagan. Mrs Reagan was fiercely loyal to her beloved husband, and that devotion was matched only by her devotion to our country.
'Her influence on the White House was complete and lasting. During her time as first lady and since, she raised awareness about drug abuse and breast cancer.
Former president George W Bush paid tribute to Mrs Reagan on Sunday
U.S. President Barack Obama escorts former first lady Nancy Reagan to a signing ceremony for the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in June 2009
'When we moved into the White House, we benefitted from her work to make those historic rooms beautiful.
'Laura and I are grateful for the life of Nancy Reagan, and we send our condolences to the entire Reagan family.'
Bill and Hillary Clinton said in a joint statement: 'Hillary and I were deeply saddened to learn of Nancy Reagan’s passing. Nancy was an extraordinary woman: a gracious First Lady, proud mother, and devoted wife to President Reagan—her Ronnie.
'Her strength of character was legendary, particularly when tested by the attempted assassination of the President, and throughout his battle with Alzheimer's.
'She leaves a remarkable legacy of good that includes her tireless advocacy for Alzheimer’s research and the Foster Grandparent Program. We join all Americans in extending our prayers and condolences to her beloved children and her entire family during this difficult time.'
Trump tweeted: 'Nancy Reagan, the wife of a truly great President, was an amazing woman. She will be missed!'
Cruz said: 'Nancy Reagan will be remembered for her deep passion for this nation and love for her husband, Ronald. The Reagan family is in our prayers.'
Sean Spicer, head of the RNC committee, said: 'The world, the country and @GOP lost an amazing woman today. May God bless #nancyreagan and the Reagan family'
Arnold Schwarzenegger, who like Reagan went from acting to governing California, wrote on Twitter: '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.'
Mitt Romney tweeted: 'With the passing of Nancy Reagan, God and Ronnie have finally welcomed a choice soul home.'
Joan Collins said: 'My friend Nancy Reagan died aged 94 The end of an era, #Love the 80s'
TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR FORMER FIRST LADY
Friends, relatives and associates of the former First Lady along with celebrities took to Twitter to express their sadness at Reagan's death.
Michael Reagan, her stepson, tweeted: 'She is once again with the man she loved.'
Among others to take to Twitter to pay tribute was Donald Trump who said she was 'the wife of a truly great president' and an 'amazing woman'.
Joan Collins paid tribute to her 'friend' and said it was 'the end of an era'.
Arnold Schwarzenegger called her one of his 'heroes' while Republican National Committee communications director Sean Spicer said: 'The world lost an amazing woman.'
Nancy Reagan is pictured with her husband in 1984 and actress Joan Collins and Peter Holm at a state dinner for President Lusinchi of Venezuela
Portrait of President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan with their family at Rancho del Cielo near Santa Barbara, California, November 28, 1985. Standing (L-R): Bess Reagan, Patti Davis, Paul Grilley, Cameron Reagan, Nancy Reagan, the President, Colleen and Michael Reagan, and Neil Reagan. Foreground, (L-R): Ron, Doria, and Ashley Marie Reagan
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