Nancy Reagan’s Portrait On View at the National Portrait Gallery

Versión en español

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery recognizes the life and accomplishments of Nancy Reagan with a painting of Reagan by Aaron Shikler. It has been installed in the museum’s In Memoriam space on the first floor. The work is part of the museum’s “Time Cover” collection and appeared on the Jan. 14, 1985, edition of the publication (just before President Reagan’s inauguration).

Born in Queens, New York, Nancy Reagan graduated from Smith College. She appeared in 11 movies, including Night into Morning (1951) and Hellcats of the Navy (1957), the only film she made with Ronald Reagan. The couple met in 1949 and married in 1952. The Reagans had two children, Patricia and Ronald, and two other children, Maureen and Michael, from the President’s first marriage.

 Like her predecessors, the First Lady chose a cause to endorse and in 1982 launched her “Just Say No” campaign to fight youth drug abuse. In retirement, Nancy Reagan supported her husband during his battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  

The image is available for press; it can also be photographed or filmed in the museum. For access, contact Bethany Bentley at bentleyb@si.edu.

National Portrait Gallery

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery tells the multifaceted story of America through the individuals who have shaped its culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts and new media, the Portrait Gallery portrays poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives tell the American story.

The National Portrait Gallery is part of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture at Eighth and F streets N.W., Washington, D.C. Smithsonian Information: (202) 633-1000. Website: npg.si.edu. Connect with the museum at @NPG, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Tumblr. 

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SI-122-2016