Nancy Reagan dies at 94: Looking back on the iconic First Lady's life

As the country mourns Nancy Reagan, who died of heart failure at the age of 94 on Mar. 6, 2016, we take a look back at her most memorable moments in the spotlight, from her time as a Hollywood actress to her later years at the side of President Ronald Reagan as one of the most iconic First Ladies in the United States. <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
Before Nancy took centre stage as First Lady of the United States, she was in front of the lens as a Hollywood actress. Here she is as then-Nancy Davis acting opposite James Whitmore in a scene from the 1950 movie <i>The Next Voice You Hear...</i> <p>Photo: © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images</p>
The look of love: Newlywed Nancy enjoys a honeymoon dinner with her new husband Ronnie Reagan – then a fellow silver-screen actor – at the Stork Club in New York City in 1952. <p>Photo: © Hulton Archive/Getty Images</p>
A still from 1957's <i>Hellcats Of The Navy</i>, the only film the two made together. <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
Actor Ron became California governor Ronald Reagan in 1967. Here is Mrs. Reagan at home that year – the first of many in her new role, as her husband would serve two terms in the post in his eventual road to the White House. <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
On January 20, 1981, the newly elected President of the United States danced with his favourite leading lady. The couple's White House stay would last two terms. <p>Photo: © Dirck Halstead/Getty Images</p>
Supporting her husband through his recovery four days after he survived an assassination attempt in 1981. President Reagan had been shot by John Hinckley and was hospitalized for a total of 12 days. <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the President and First Lady at their Santa Barbara ranch, Rancho Del Cielo, in 1983. <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
Hitting it off with Princess Diana during the royal's visit to Washington, D.C. in 1985. <p>Photo: © Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images</p>
Wearing one of her signature red dresses, Nancy took to the dance floor with Ron in the White House in one of many photos of the couple doing one of the things they loved most. <p>Photo: © Courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidental Library/Getty Images</p>
<p>In 1994, five years after leaving office, the 83-year-old former President was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. His devoted wife became one of the world’s most high-profile champions of the battle against the neurological disorder.</p> Here, Ronald receives a sweet birthday kiss from Nancy as he turns 89 at their home in Bel Air, California in 2000. <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
In 2004, President Reagan died at the age of 93. Here, two of her children, daughter Patti Davis and son Ron, Jr., held the former First Lady's hands before the President's burial at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
In 2007, Nancy unveiled the 'First Ladies' Red Dress Collection' at the Reagan Library and Museum. <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
Mrs. Reagan in one of her last public appearances at the 'D23 Presents Treasures Of The Walt Disney Archives' at the Presidential Library in 2012. <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
<p>When Mrs. Reagan died, condolences flooded in – including an especially moving one from President Barack Obama, pictured here in 2009 with the former First Lady.</p> "Nancy Reagan once wrote that nothing could prepare you for living in the White House. She was right, of course. But we had a head start, because we were fortunate to benefit from her proud example, and her warm and generous advice. Our former first lady redefined the role in her time here. Later, in her long goodbye with President Reagan, she became a voice on behalf of millions of families going through the depleting, aching reality of Alzheimer's, and took on a new role, as advocate, on behalf of treatments that hold the potential and the promise to improve and save lives." <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
The Obamas' message closed with a poignant wish: "We offer our sincere condolences to their children, Patti, Ron, and Michael, and to their grandchildren. And we remain grateful for Nancy Reagan's life, thankful for her guidance, and prayerful that she and her beloved husband are together again." <p>Photo: © Getty Images</p>
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