Discovering My Family Connection to Former First Lady Nancy Reagan

One of my most surprising genealogy discoveries was finding out that I’m related to the former First Lady of the United States — Nancy Reagan.

It turns out that Nancy and I share common great-grandparents, Henry Burt and Isett Sonder, which makes us 10th cousins, once removed.

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Early Life of Nancy Reagan

Nancy Reagan was born Anne Francis Robbins on July 6, 1921, in New York City, New York. Her parents were Kenneth Seymour Robbins and Edith Prescott Luckett, a radio actress. Edith — who happens to be my 9th cousin, once removed — separated from Kenneth shortly after Nancy’s birth, and the couple officially divorced in 1928.

After her parents’ separation, young Nancy lived with her aunt Virginia and uncle Audley in Bethesda, Maryland, while her mother pursued acting opportunities around the country. In 1929, Edith married Loyal Edward Davis, a prominent neurosurgeon. Nancy then moved to Chicago with her mother and stepfather, who formally adopted her in 1935. From then on, she became known as Nancy Davis — the name she would carry into her acting career and later, the White House.

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Education and Acting Career

Nancy attended Smith College in Massachusetts, where she majored in English and drama, graduating in 1943. Inspired by her mother’s entertainment career, Nancy pursued acting and made her Broadway debut in 1946 in Lute Song, starring Mary Martin and Yul Brynner.

In 1949, Nancy signed a seven-year contract with MGM Studios and relocated to California. Between 1949 and 1962, she appeared in 11 feature films alongside Hollywood legends like Barbara Stanwyck, Ray Milland, Cyd Charisse, and Glenn Ford, as well as several television shows.

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Meeting Ronald Reagan

Nancy met fellow actor Ronald Reagan on November 15, 1949. At the time, Reagan was President of the Screen Actors Guild, and Nancy sought his help after mistakenly believing her name appeared on a Hollywood blacklist. The incident turned out to be a case of mistaken identity — but it led to a romance that captured Hollywood’s attention.

After three years of dating, Nancy and Ronald married on March 4, 1952. Their marriage produced two children:

• Patricia Ann “Patti” Davis, born October 21, 1952

• Ronald Prescott Reagan, born May 20, 1958

 

From Hollywood to the White House

Ronald Reagan transitioned from acting to politics, becoming Governor of California in 1967. His political ambitions continued, and after two unsuccessful bids for the presidency, he won the 1980 U.S. Presidential Election in a landslide. The Reagans moved into the White House in January 1981, beginning an iconic chapter in American history.

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Nancy Reagan as First Lady

As First Lady, Nancy Reagan brought elegance, glamour, and a keen sense of style back to the White House — reminiscent of Jacqueline Kennedy. She led a major White House restoration project, raising private funds rather than using taxpayer money to restore the historic mansion’s beauty and dignity.

While her sophistication drew criticism from some who saw her as aloof, Nancy’s vision was clear: she believed the presidency should embody grace, dignity, and national pride. Over time, the public warmed to her, and Ronald Reagan went on to win a second term in 1984.

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Advocacy and Legacy

Nancy Reagan was not a passive First Lady. She played an active role behind the scenes, influencing policy and helping improve U.S.-Soviet relations through her friendship with Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev — a relationship many credit with easing Cold War tensions.

She is perhaps best remembered for her influential “Just Say No” campaign, which aimed to prevent youth drug use across America.

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Later Life and Passing

After leaving the White House, Nancy devoted herself to caring for Ronald Reagan, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She remained by his side until his death on June 5, 2004.

Nancy Reagan passed away on March 6, 2016, at the age of 94, at her home in Bel Air, California.

Until recently, I had no idea that the elegant and influential First Lady Nancy Reagan was my distant cousin. Looking back at her legacy and her years alongside President Reagan, I’m proud to know that such an inspiring woman is part of my family tree.