Ronald and Nancy Reagan's Relationship, in Photos
Ronald and Nancy Reagan's Relationship, in Photos
In the recently released Showtime docuseries, The Reagans, director Matt Tyrnauer argues that Ronald and Nancy Reagan's close personal relationship translated seamlessly into the political arena, and increased the couple's appeal with both the press and the American public. As masters of media and messaging, the Reagans' relationship was meticulously documented on film. Here, take a look back at this American political relationship through the couple's most notable images, from the Reagans' early days as actors through their second term in the White House.
1950
In one of their first photographs together, then-actors Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis were captured in a kitchen together.
1952
At their wedding, a young Ronald and Nancy Reagan cut their cake.
1952
The couple spent their honeymoon at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix. Nancy was secretly pregnant with their first child, Patricia Ann Reagan (later known as Patti Davis) at the time.
1965
Nancy, Ronald, and their son, Ronald (Ron) Reagan Jr. are pictured in their California living room.
1965
The young family—Ronald, Nancy, and Ron Jr.—swam in the pool at their Santa Barbara, CA ranch.
1966
In late 1965, Ronald Reagan announced his run for governor of California. Here, he and Nancy were photographed riding in a convertible while on the campaign trail.
1971
Famed photographer Slim Aarons captured the Reagans—Ronald was governor of California at the time—while the pair vacationed in Acapulco, Mexico.
1978
While campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination, then-Governor Ronald Reagan was photographed with Nancy at their Santa Barbara, California ranch, holding the reigns of a horse.
1980
After receiving the Republican nomination, Ronald and Nancy Reagan then campaigned for the presidency, here shown alongside Senator Strom Thurmond (at right).
1980
During the Republican National Convention, President Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan hold a peace pipe, while Nancy Reagan and First Lady Betty Ford chat on the couches.
1980
President Jimmy Carter and First Lady, Roslyn, greeted President-elect Ronald Reagan and future First Lady, Nancy, outside the White House.
1981
At Ronald Reagan's inauguration, the President took the oath of office as Nancy held the Bible.
1981
Newly elected President Ronald Reagan danced with First Lady Nancy at the Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C.
1981
President Ronald Reagan, Vice President George H. W. Bush, and their wives, Nancy and Barbara, played with a dog at the Vice President's residence.
1981
The couple was photographed walking towards the White House State Dining Room with their arms around each other.
1982
The Reagans spent Thanksgiving at their Santa Barbara ranch, Rancho del Cielo. The couple rode their horses El Alamain (with Ronald) and No Strings (with Nancy).
1982
Also at their ranch, the couple played with First Dogs, Victory and Millie.
1983
The Reagans were photographed waving as they boarded the presidential helicopter, Marine One.
1983
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited the Reagans at Rancho del Cielo.
1984
After announcing that he would seek re-election, Ronald Reagan hugged Nancy in the Oval Office.
1984
This official portrait of the President and First Lady was taken in the White House just before Reagan began his second term.
1984
In the 1984 Presidential election, Ronald Reagan faced off against Democrat Walter Mondale. The Reagans watched election returns come in on four different networks at the White House.
1985
Princess Diana and Prince Charles visited the Reagans at the White House. This gala dinner would become famous, as it is where Diana shared a dance with movie star, John Travolta.
1986
Posing for a photo with their cats, the Reagans paid another visit to their Santa Barbara ranch.
1986
The First Couple shared an impromptu dance outside at Camp David, the President's country residence.
1987
The Reagans were captured sharing an embrace in the Oval Office on their wedding anniversary.
1987
The Reagans stood in front of the thoroughly decorated White House Christmas tree, an 18.5-foot Fraser fir.
1988
The couple shared a dance during an event in the White House ballroom.
1988
At a State Dinner honoring British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Reagans held hands while posing on the red carpet.
1989
The President and First Lady curled up for a movie in the White House screening room.
1989
The Reagans left the U.S. Capitol after new President George H. W. Bush's inaugural ceremony. The couple is shown here boarding Marine helicopter Nighthawk 1.
1992
The Reagans reunited with the Bushes at the 1992 Republican National Convention.
2004
Nancy Reagan shared this photo in honor of the former President's 93rd birthday in 2004. He died in June of that year. Nancy lived for several more years, passing away in 2016 at the age of 94.
In light of the recently docuseries, The Reagans, take a look back at the most notable images of the former President and First Lady.