Los Angeles— Nancy Reagan, former U.S. first lady died on Sunday at the age of 94 at her home in Los Angeles because of a congestive heart failure, said a spokeswoman for the Reagan presidential library, according to Reuters. Her stepson, President Barack Obama, and Michelle Obama have already expressed condolences.

Ms. Reagan is described as one of the most influential first ladies in the U.S. history, in accordance with her work at the White House from 1981 to 1989.

Nancy_Reagan-dies
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan escorted by President Obama during a 2009 White House visit, as they pass her portrait. Credit: The White House.

She also had a prominent Hollywood career and helped Ronald Reagan to overcome an assassination attempt and Alzheimer’s disease.

On Sunday, Michael Reagan, stepson of Ms. Nancy said that he was saddened by her passing, and added that she “is once again with the man she loved.”

Mr. and Ms. Obama expressed their condolences on Sunday, saying that both of them were fortunate to receive “warm and generous advice” from Ms. Reagan.

“We remain grateful for Nancy Reagan’s life, thankful for her guidance, and prayerful that she and her beloved husband are together again,” the president and first lady said in a Sunday statement, according to Reuters.

Former president George W. Bush remarked Ms. Reagan’s interest in creating campaigns against drug abuse, and her work to raise awareness about breast cancer. He added that she was “fiercely loyal to her beloved husband” and always demonstrated her devotion to the United States, which gave her a “complete and lasting” place in the White House.

Nancy Reagan will be buried next to former president Ronald Reagan, who passed away in 2004 after years of having Alzheimer’s. The public will be allowed to pay their respects to Ms. Reagan at the Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, California, said Reuters.

Nancy Reagan, more than a first lady: she was also a Hollywood actress, creator of anti-drug campaigns, and supporter of Alzheimer’s investigations

The Former first lady had an acting career during the 1940s and 1950s. She was always interested in helping others, in 1940, she appeared as a volunteer for National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, in a short that wanted to raise aid for kids with polio. She also participated in the cast of Lute Song, and other eleven feature films.

Moreover, Ms. Reagan was the creator of the slogan “Just say no”, which took part in an anti-drug campaign that wanted to discourage children from taking any illegal drugs. Later, the campaign addressed issues such as violence and premarital sex. On the other hand, she became a supporter of human embryonic stem cell research after Mr. Reagan died in 2004.

“I see the first lady as another means to keep a president from becoming isolated,” she said in 1985, according to Reuters reporters.

Source: Reuters