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Former US first lady Nancy Reagan passes away

by IBNS 07 Mar 2016, 08:43 am

Washington, Mar 7 (IBNS): Former US first lady Nancy Reagan passed away on Sunday.

She was 94.

"Nancy Davis Reagan, former First Lady of the United States, died this morning at her home in Los Angeles at the age of 94. The cause of death was congestive heart failure," read a statement by her spokeswoman Joanne Drake of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

"Mrs. Reagan will be buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, next to her husband, Ronald Wilson Reagan, who died on June 5, 2004. Prior to the funeral service, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to pay their respects at the Library. Details will be announced shortly," read the statement.

Nancy Davis Reagan was born on July 6, 1921, in New York City.

In her early career, Nancy Davis worked as an actress in stage, film and television productions. In 1949, she signed a seven-year contract with MGM. During this time, she met Ronald Reagan and they were married on March 4, 1952. She made eleven films in all, including three after her marriage. Her last film, at Columbia in 1956, was Hellcats of the Navy, the only film in which she and her husband appeared together.

"Upon becoming First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Reagan’s primary focus was fighting drug and alcohol abuse among youth. To spotlight the problem, she traveled nearly 250,000 miles throughout the United States and abroad in
conjunction with her campaign to fight substance abuse. She appeared on television talk shows, taped public service announcements, wrote guest articles, and visited prevention programs and rehabilitation centers to talk with young people and their parents,"  read a statement issued by Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

US President Barack Obama mourned the death of Nancy Reagan as the White House quoted him as saying: "Our former First Lady redefined the role in her time here."

Former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney tweeted: "With the passing of Nancy Reagan, God and Ronnie have finally welcomed a choice soul home."


 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted: "I send my condolences to the Reagan family on the passing of Nancy Reagan. She will be remembered as a great friend of Israel."