Nancy Reagan

Early life

Anne Frances Robbins was born on 6 July 1921, on Manhattan's Sloane Hospital for Women in New York, the only child of a car salesman Kenneth Seymour Robbins (18,941,972) and his wife, actress Edith Luckett (18,881,987). Her godfather was silent-film star Alla Nazimova. She lived for her first two years in Flushing, Queens, in New York. Although her ​​parents divorced soon after birth, they had already been separated for some time. As her mother traveled the country to continue acting jobs, Nancy grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, for the next six years, her aunt and uncle Audley Virginia Gailbraith. Nancy describes the longing for the mother during those years: "My favorite times were when Mother and Aunt Virgie would train me to stay with her."

In 1929, her mother married Loyal Davis (18,961,982), a prominent, politically conservative neurosurgeon who moved the family to Chicago. Nancy and her stepfather got along very well, she would later write that he was "a man of great integrity that the example of old-fashioned values". He was officially adopted it in 1935, and she would always refer to him as her father. At the time of adoption, her name was legally changed to Nancy Davis (from birth, she was usually called Nancy). She attended Girls Latin School in Chicago (describes himself as an average student), graduated in 1939 and later attended Smith College in Massachusetts, where he majored in English and Drama and graduated 1943rd

acting career

Nancy Davis posing for a publicity photo, 1950

After her graduation, Davis held positions in Chicago, a sales clerk at Marshall Field department store and as a nurse assistant. With the help of her mother's colleagues in the theater, including Zasu Pitts, Walter Huston, and Spencer Tracy, she pursued a career as a professional actress. She first got a role in Pitts' 1945 tour of the dilapidated roads Inn, moving to New York City. She landed the role of Si-Chun, lady, in a 1946 Broadway musical about the Orient, Lute Song, starring Mary Martin and pre-star Yul Brynner . They show producer told her, "You look like it could be Chinese."



Noted author Garry Wills believes that Davis was underestimated as an actress in the overall standings because of her limited part of the Hellcats she often saw the performance. In addition, Davis diminish her ​​Hollywood goals: MGM promotional materials in 1949 said that her "greatest ambition" was to be "successful happy marriage", a decade later, in 1975, it will say: "I was never really a career woman but [he became one] only because i have not found the man i wanted to marry. i could sit around and do nothing, so I became an actress. "Ronald Reagan biographer Lou Cannon, however it is characterized as a" reliable "and" solid "contractor who has had his performances in the better-known actors. After her final film, she appeared for a short time in the television drama The train cars and a tall man until 1962, when he retired as an actress. Throughout her career, she served on the board of directors of Screen Actors Guild for nearly 10 years. Decades later, Albert Brooks tried to persuade Reagan to the act by offering her the title role opposite himself in his 1996 film Mother. Reagan refused to help care for her husband, and Debbie Reynolds plays a part.

Marriage and family

Honeymooners Ronald and Nancy Reagan, March 4, 1952

During his career as an actress, Nancy Davis of the actors in Hollywood, she was later named Clark Gable, which is short, the most beautiful of the stars she met. 15th November 1949, she met Ronald Reagan, who was then president of the Screen Actors Guild. Nancy noticed that her name appeared on the Hollywood blacklist and asked Reagan to help maintain her employment guild actress in Hollywood, and for help in having his name removed from the list. Reagan informed her that she was with another actress of the same name. The two began dating and their relationship was the subject of many gossip columns, a Hollywood press accounts described the nightclub without their time together as a "romance couple who have no vices." Ronald Reagan was skeptical about marriage, however, after a painful 1948 divorce from Jane Wyman, and he still saw other women. After three years together, he finally proposed to Davis in a couple's favorite booth at the Beverly Hills restaurant Chasen's. They were married on 4 March 1952 in a simple ceremony designed to avoid releases to the Little Brown Church in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angelesu.Samo people in attendance were actor William Holden, the godfather, and his wife, housewife časti.Par's first child, Patricia Ann Reagan (better known by her professional name, Patti Davis) was born on 21 listopada 1952nd Their son, Ronald Prescott Reagan, was born six years later on 20th May. Nancy Reagan also became a stepmother Maureen Reagan (19412001) and Michael Reagan (born 1945), children of first marriage, his wife Jane Wyman.

Nancy and Ronald Reagan on the board in 1964

Reagan's family in 1967, shortly after Ronald Reagan's inauguration as governor of California

Observers described Ronald and Nancy Reagan as an intimate relationship. As president and first lady, the Reagans have been reported to show their love often, with one press secretary noting, "They never took for granted with each other. They never stopped courting." Ronald is often called Nancy "Mommy," she called him "Ronnie". While the President was recuperating in hospital after an attempted assassination in 1981, Nancy Reagan wrote in his diary: "Nothing can happen to my Ronnie. My life will be over." In a letter to Nancy, Ronald wrote: "All that I treasure and enjoy all would be meaningless if I did not have." In 1998, while her husband was afflicted with Alzheimer's, Nancy told Vanity Fair: "Our relationship is very special. We were still very much in love. When I say my life began with Ronnie, well, that's true. It is not. Not can not imagine life without him. "Nancy was known for focused and attentive look, called" view ", which is attached to her husband during his speeches and appearances. President Reagan's death in June 2004 ended what Charlton Heston called "the greatest love affair in the history of the American presidency."

Nancy relationship with his children was not always as close as it was with her husband, she often argued with his biological children and her stepchildren. Her relationship with Patti was the most contentious, Patti flouted American conservatism and rebellion against parents entering nuclear freeze movement and the author's many anti-Reagan knjiga.Gotovo 20 years the family feud has left a very alienated from her mother and father. Shortly after her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and her mother Patti reconciled and started talking about a daily basis. Nancy is a disagreement with Michael are also public issues, in 1984, it was said that the two were in "immediate disposal." Michael said that Nancy attempts to cover up for what she has not met his daughter, Ashley, who was born almost a year earlier. They also eventually made ​​peace. Nancy was thought to be closest to her stepdaughter Maureen White House years, but every one of Reagan's children experienced a period of alienation from parents.

The First Lady of California, 19671975

Nancy as the first lady of California

Reagan was California's first lady during her husband's two terms as governor. She loved living in Sacramento, which was lacking in excitement, social life, and the mild climate in which he was accustomed to in Los Angeles. She first attracted controversy in early 1967, when, after four months in California governor's Mansion in Sacramento, moved his family in a suburb of the rich, because fire officials labeled the castle as a "firetrap." Although the Reagans rented a new house at their own expense, the move is viewed by many as snobbish. Nancy defended the action as well for his family, ruling that her husband readily agreed. Friends of the family later helped support the cost of rented houses, and Nancy Reagan oversaw the construction of a new ranch-style residence close to the governor Carmichael.Nova residence was completed as Ronald Reagan left office in 1975, but his successor, Jerry Brown refused to live there. It was sold in 1982, and California governors have lived in makeshift arrangements until today.

In 1967, Nancy Reagan appointed her husband, the California Arts Commission, a year later he was named Los Angeles Times "Woman of the Year in her profile, the Times labeled her" Model First Lady. "Her glamor, style and youthfulness are often the subject of her Press photographers. as first lady, Reagan visited the veterans, the elderly and the disabled, and worked with numerous charities. it has become quite involved Foster Grandparents program, helping to popularize in the United States and in Australia. it was later expanded its work with the organization after his arrival in Washington, and wrote about his experiences in his 1982 book, Love dijete.Reagans held dinner for former prisoners of war and the Vietnam war, a governor and first lady.

The role of the 1976 and 1980 presidential campaigns

Main article: United States presidential election, 1976, a United States presidential election, 1980

Governor Reagan term ended in 1975, and he did not run for a third, instead, he met with advisers to discuss a possible bid for the presidency in 1976, challenging incumbent President Gerald Ford. Reagan is still needed to convince reluctant to Nancy prior to launch, no. She fears for her husband's health and his career as a whole, although he felt that he was the right man for the job and eventually approved. Nancy is the more traditional role in the campaign, holding coffee, lunches, and interviews with senior citizens. In addition, she oversaw staff, accompanied her husband, schedule, and sometimes provided the conference tisak.1976 The campaign includes a so-called "battle of the Queen," in contrast with Nancy The First Lady Betty Ford. Both men spoke during the campaign on similar issues, but with different approaches. Nancy was particularly upset by the warmonger image that Ford made ​​the campaign of her husband.

Although he lost the Republican nomination in 1976, Reagan ran again for president in 1980 and succeeded in winning the nomination and election. During this campaign, second, Nancy played a very important role and its management staff have become more visible. She arranged a meeting between a revenge campaign manager John Sears, and Michael Deaver and her husband, who is leaving the campaign resulted in Deaver and Sears are given full control. After Reagan lost Iowa team camp and fell behind the polls in New Hampshire, Nancy organized a second meeting and decided it was time to fire Sears and his associates gave Sears a copy of the press release announcing his dismissal. Her influence on her husband has become especially important, her presence at meetings, lunches and receptions increased his confidence.

The First Lady of the United States, 19811989

First Lady Nancy Reagan and President Reagan during the inaugural parade, 1981

White House Glamour

restoration

Nancy Reagan became First Lady of the United States when Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as president in January 1981. At the beginning of her husband's presidency, Reagan said her desire to create a more suitable "first home" in the White House, as well as the building fell into disrepair after years of state neglect. White House assistant Michael Deaver described in the second and third floor of the residence as a "cracked plaster walls, chipped paint [and] beaten floor," instead of using state funds to rebuild and redecorate it seeks private donations. Nancy directed a major renovation a few White House bedrooms, including all second and third floors and rooms to the Oval Office, including the press conference room. Restoration included repainting the walls, refinishing floors, fireplace repair, antique and replacement of pipes, windows and žice.Ormar in the master bedroom is transformed into a beauty salon and dressing room, and the West bedroom is made ​​into a small gymnasium.

First lady secured the help of famous interior designer Ted Graber, popular with the wealthy West Coast social figures, in order to convert fourth-family živi.Kineski pattern, handpainted wallpaper is added to the master bedroom. Family Furniture is located in the prime of private studija.Prva lady and her designer commitments of the White House antiques, which is in storage, and put them through the castle.

Extensive renovations were paid for through private donations. Many important and long-term changes resulting from the reconstruction, that Nancy Reagan said: "This house belongs to all Americans, and I want to be something that they can be proud of."

fashion

The new first lady in his inaugural clothing, 1981

Another of Nancy Reagan stamps her interest in fashion. While her husband was still president-elect, media reports speculating about the social life of Nancy and interest in fashion. In many press accounts, Nancy sense of style favorably compared to the previous first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Friends and those close to her remarked that while the modern, such as Kennedy, it will be different from other first ladies, a close friend of Harriet Deutsch said, "Nancy has a seal."

Nancy Reagan's wardrobe consisted of dresses, gowns, and suits by designer luxury, including James Galanos, Bill Blass, Adolfo and Oscar de la Renta. Her white hand-beaded, one shoulder Galanos 1981 inaugural gown was estimated at $ 10,000, a price the total price of her inaugural wardrobe is said to cost $ 25,000. She liked the color red, calling it a "picker-upper," and it wore accordingly. Her wardrobe includes red so often, that a fire engine shade became known as "Reagan red." She employed two private hairdresser who would style her hair regularly at the White House.

Reagan model for Vogue in the Red Room, 1981

Fashion designers were happy with Nancy Reagan put an emphasis on clothing. Adolfo said the first lady embodies "an elegant, rich, well-raised, American chic look," as Bill Blass, said: "I do not think that anyone in the White House by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who was her sense of smell." William Fine, president of the cosmetic company Frances Denney, said that he "still in style, but it does not become trendy."

Although her ​​elegant fashion and wardrobe have been hailed as "glamourous model chic", they are also controversial topics. In 1982, she discovered that it had accepted thousands of dollars in clothing, jewelry and other gifts, but defended her actions, saying it had borrowed clothes and that would be returned or donated to museums, and that promicanjeamerički fashion industry. Facing criticism, she said that soon will no longer accept such loans. Although they often buy clothes, it is still borrow and sometimes keep the designer clothing during her time as first lady, who came to see 1988th None of that is not listed on financial disclosure forms, failure to report the loan under $ 10,000 in liability is contrary to the voluntary agreement of the White House made ​​in 1982, and not having more worth of loans or clothing does not return any possible violation of the Ethics in Government Act. Nancy is expressed through her press secretary "regrets that he missed followed the advice of counsel" to reveal them.

Despite the controversy, many designers who allowed her to borrow clothes to note that the arrangement was good for their business, as well as the American fashion industry overall. In 1989, Nancy was honored at the annual awards gala of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, during which the Council received a lifetime achievement award. Barbara Walters told her: "She has served every day, eight long years, the word" style. "

Elegance and formality

About a year into her husband's first term, Nancy Reagan explored the idea of ordering a new state china service for the White kuću.Pun China service is not purchased by the Truman administration in 1940, because it is only a partial service is available in the Johnson administration. She was quoted as saying: "The White House is really bad, badly needs China." Working with Lenox, a primary producer of porcelain in America, the first lady chose the design scheme of silver with an engraved gold band, on the border of crimson and cream colored ivory panels erected with the presidential seal etched in gold in sredini.Punu services includes 4370 pieces, with 19 pieces per individual set.Usluga totaled $ 209,508. Although it was paid for through private donations, some from private Knapp Foundation, purchase generated much controversy because it was commissioned at a time when the nation was in a recession.

New China, the White House renovations, expensive clothing, and her arrival at the wedding of Charles and Diana, Prince and Princess of Wales, gave her an aura that is "in touch" with the American people during a recession. This and her taste for splendor inspired the derogatory nickname "Queen Nancy". While Jacqueline Kennedy also faced some press criticism for his spending habits, Reagan's treatment is much more consistent and negative. In an attempt to divert criticism, she self-deprecatingly donned a costume baglady the 1982 Grille for dinner and sang "used clothing", imitating the song "Second-Hand Rose." Parody helped restore her reputation.

Reagan and her husband with her predecessor as first lady, Jackie Kennedy, widow of President Kennedy in 1985. Nancy and Jackie are often compared because of the glamor, as opposed to the intervention of the First Ladies.

Nancy Reagan reflected on the criticism in his 1989 autobiography, my turn. Reagan describes lunching with former Democratic National Committee chairman Robert Strauss, in which Strauss said to her: "When you first came to town, Nancy, you did not like at all. But after I got to know, I changed my mind and said: "it was a general!" Nancy said, "Bob, based on media reports I've read it, I would not have liked it!"