>>> nancy reagan worked tirelessly to protect her husband, president ronald reagan, from harm. ambition of his advisers and negative publicity. the couple's strong bond was renowned. from the silver screen to the governors mansion to the white house, her devotion to her husband never wavered. >> i was very blessed to find him. >> in the decade after ronald reagan's diagnosis of alzheimer's disease she became the former president's primary caregiver. >> each day brings another reminder of this very long good-bye. >> following his death in 2004 she became an outspoken public advocate for stem-cell research, a scientific effort that promised hope for patients of alzheimer's and other illnesses. in this hour the hollywood love story that would become a political success story. "the life of nancy reagan." ♪ >> i'm lester holt. welcome to an msnbc special presentation, "th"nancy reagan: life remembered." a president's wife is automatically a force be reckoned with. first ladies are often in the news, closely watched, often controversial. so it was with nancy reagan. one of the mos

california the news that former first lady nancy reagan has died of congestive heart failure at the age of 94. what an american life hers was. she said about her life that it had been fabulous all these years. of course, the ultimate was being married to former president ronald reagan. not without its life-and-death challenges, as she was thrust into the role of caregiver, starting with the assassination attempt on her husband in 1981. we're going to talk to him later in this hour, but before we do, i wanted to quote the historian and author, michael beschloss, who in these hours since learning of the death of nancy reagan, called her one of the most influential first ladies, certainly of the modern era. we'll hear him out on the topic of nancy reagan later. we're going to begin this hour with our friend and colleague, andrea mitchell, who came to know nancy reagan before most of us, by event of having covered her husband at the white house, andrea, you're among those i thought of when i heard the news today. what is going through your mind today? >> reporter: well, just how important a

mutual insurance. >> nancy reagan worked tirelessly during her years as first lady to protect her husband, president ron dal reagan from any harm. the ambition from his advisors and negative publicity. the couple's strong bond was renowned and from the silver screen to the governor's mansion to the white house, her devotion to her husband never waivered w. >> she became the former president's primary care giver. >> each day brings another reminder of this very long good-bye. >> following his death in 2004, she became an outspoken public advocate for stem cell research, a scientific effort that promised hope for patients of alzheimer's and other illnesses. in this hour, the hollywood love story that would become a political success story. the life of nancy reagan. >> hello, i'm lester holt. welcome to a special presentation, nancy reagan, a life remembered. the president has the most powerful job on earth so a president's wife is automatically a force to be reckoned with. first ladies are often in the news, closely watched, often controversial and so it was with nancy reagan. one of the mo

baier in washington. welcome to a special hour remembering former first lady nancy reagan. the news breaking just a short time ago according to her assistant, mrs. reagan died this morning at her home in bel air, california. the cause, congestive heart failure. she was 94 years old. nancy reagan was thrust into the political life when her husband ran for governor back in the '60s and then ronald reagan's political ambitions swept them into the white house in 1981 after a successful 1980 presidential campaign. she'll be remembered for her complete devotion to her husband. always standing behind him as his fiercest protector and closest adviser. she will be buried alongside president reagan at the reagan presidential library in simi valley, california. william is outside nancy reagan bel air estate. >> about ten minutes ago a hearse arrived to pick up first lady nancy reagan's body. other family members may have arrived earlier. we don't know. we are in bel air, california, where mrs. reagan has lived since 1988, when she and the former president bought this residence. 1.5 acre estate

. >>> a special edition of real news tonight remembering nancy reagan. the former first lady passed away at her home. nancy was ronald reagan's most trusted advisor. she was a fierce protector of his image. a love affair spanned five decades. nancy reagan redefined the role of the first lady. her legacy is a powerful force tonight barbara walters has her final conditions in the final months. our team is on a first lady who will be remembered. a special edition begins now. >>> good evening. it is great to be with you on a sunday night. we would be -- we begin with the nation remembering a first lady, nancy reagan. she died today in her bill and -- and her bel air home. she was fiercely loyal to her husband wielding her influence behind the scenes in the white house. she was now to help the president with his words. in her later years, she said her last goodbye before he was laid to rest. california governor jerry brown ordered flags at half staff. in a moment robber -- in a moment barbara walters will we will have the reagan marriage. we begin at the reagan library in california. >>

. >> former first lady nancy reagan has died. she died in her home in los angeles this morning. the cause of death listed as congestive heart failure. as first known project lady was the just say no campaign to help kids stay off of drugs. the former whoto died in 2004. nancy reagan was 94. c-span, mrs. reagan gave a tour of the reagan library in california. this is about one hour. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2016] >> for somebody who has not been to this library, how do you get hair, where is it? >> it sits high on 100 acres. it is not too far from los angeles. we can leave our house and the -- be here in 45 minutes. it is beautiful. everybody should come to see it. >> one of the things that struck me after being at the ranch was the winding roads, the hills. did you think about that? mrs. reagan: ronnie always liked to be high. shining city on the hill. our house in bellaire is high. the ranch is high. this is high. that al

, cnn. >>> truly wonderful woman, indeed. nancy reagan, passed away this morning at her home in los angeles, at the age of 94. spokesperson for the former first lady saying the cause of death was congestive heart failure. mrs. reagan will be buried at the ronald reagan presidential library in simi valley, california, right next to her husband, the late president ronald wilson reagan, who died on june 5th, 2004. this statement goes on to say that prior to the funeral service, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to pay their respects at the library. you're looking at pictures of the ronald reagan library there. details, the library will announce shortly. we received a statement also from former president george wncht bush and former first lady laura bush. it says this. laura and i are saddened by the death of former first lady, nancy reagan. mrs. reagan was fiercely loyal to her beloved husband. and that devotion was matched only by her devotion to our country. her influence on the white house was complete and lasting. during her time as first lady and since, she wo

nancy reagan. # nbc news coverage of the death of former first lady nancy reagan. some of our stations may now go back to regular programming. for others, our coverage continues. nancy reagan, the widow of president ronald reagan has died. she was 94 years old. her death was announced in a statement from her spokesperson, and lester holt looks at the life of the former first lady. >> nancy davis was an actress herself when she met ronald reagan on the mgm lot in 1949. he was already a star. but though she had her own hollywood dreams, she later said she found her greatest role as his wife. >> i think i was born to be married. i was the happiest girl in the world when i became we. >> they married in 1952. a simple ceremony and even appeared together in "hellcats of the navy" the last of her 11 films. >> i began to think maybe you were playing the south seas circuit. >> you knew better. >> how could i know. did you give me a post dated check. >> from then on, by her own description, her life was devoted to her husband, as mother to their two children, patty and ron, and as stepm

. the death of nancy reagan. america remembers one influential first ladies of the 20th century. the fiercely protective partner of reagan. tonight a look back at her many roles and their life together. their triumphs and challenges from their the governor's mansion in california to the white house. tonight we'll hear from some of those who knew nancy reagan best. >>> plus the showdown looming for those who ted cruz and bernie sanders pick up steam going into some of the most crucial contests yet. "nightly news" begins right now. news world headquarters in new "nightly news" with lester holt. >>> good evening. one of the most american political history ended sadly today with the word 69 death of nancy reagan. she was of course first lady to her husband president ronald reagan but so much more. the death of her devotion to the president built her an unrivaled level of influence. nancy reagan died of congestive heart failure in los angeles today at the age of 94. in a statement the president and mrs. obama sent their condolences saying. nancy reagan's public journey began on the silver

hearse carrying former first lady nancy reagan from her home. a funeral being planned for later this week at the reagan presidential library, where she'll be laid to rest next to her husband. a woman being remembered as a devoted wife and a political force who redefined the role of first lady. we look back at nancy reagan's extraordinary wife and talk exclusively to her son ron today, monday, march 7th, 2016. this is a special edition of "today," remembering nancy reagan, with matt lauer and savannah guthrie, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >>> still digesting the sad news of nancy reagan's passing, but what an incredible life she lived. legendary woman, iconic first lady and part of one of the greatest love stories of our time. >> i was reflecting on that this morning. so many people are finding comfort in the thought these two will be reunited once again. nancy reagan, a picture of el elegance and strength. >> nancy reagan died in her home at the age of 94. she was equally passionate about her husband and the many causes she championed. we'll talk to her son ron coming re

the reagan library. let me read it to you and our viewers. nancy davis reagan, former first lady of the united states, died at her home in los angeles at the age of 94. cause of death was congestive heart failure. she will be buried in simi valley, california, next to her husband, ronald wilson reagan, who died june 5g9, 2004. prior to the funeral service, there will be an opportunity for members of the public to pay their respects at the library. details will be announced. in lieu of flowers, mrs. reagan asked that contributions be made to the ronald reagan library and foundation at www.reaganlibrary.com. for continual information, can you go to the reagan library website as well. former chief of staff for the former first lady. anita, thanks very much. a very sad time for all of us who remember covering nancy reagan better on several occasions. what goes through your mind at this really, really sensitive moment? >> it is a sensitive moment, actually. and the first thought that i had when i heard the news was now she is with him once again. she missed him so much. 2007, 2008, her d

edition of "world news tonight." remembering nancy reagan. the former first lady, passing away at her home. for president ronald reagan, she redefining the role of the first lady. her legacy as a powerful force behind the white house. tonight, our team on a first lady who will be remembered. a special edition of "world news tonight" begins now. >> good evening. great to be with you on a sunday night. we begin with a nation remembering a first lady, nancy reagan. dying today in california. she will have a lasting legacy, fiercely loyal to her husband, even during press conferences, known to help her husband with his words. in her later words, after the death of her husband, saying her last good-bye before he was laid to rest. ordering flags at half-staff. we begin with matt gutman at the reagan presidential library in california. >> reporter: nancy reagan died, at her los angeles home sunday morning. a family spokesman said heart failure was the cause. she remained spry and stylish to the very end, even grinning here at her 94th birthday party last summer. her stepson, michael reagan,

the death of former first lady nancy reagan, the widow of president ronald reagan was 94 years old. she died from congestive heart failure. nbc's lester holt looks at the life of the former first lady. nancy davis met ronald reagan on the mgm lot in 1949. he was already a star. though she had her own hollywood dreams she said she found her greatest role as his wife. >> i think i was born to be married. i was the happiest girl in the world when i became we. >> reporter: they married in 1952, a simple ceremony and appeared together in "hellcats of the navy." >> you knew better. >> how could i know? did you give me a post dated check? >> reporter: from them on by her own description her life was devoted to her husband as mother to their two children and as step mother to his two children by former wife then came politics and her long career as a first lady. first in california to governor ronald reagan in 1966. >> what is ronnie's greatest asset for the women voters? >> just being ronnie, i guess. >> reporter: then to president reagan in 1980. after the president was shot by a would-b

>>> tonight, a special edition of "world news tonight." remembering nancy reagan. the former first lady, passing away at her home. for president ronald reagan, she was his most trusted supporter. redefining the role of the first lady. a political figure herself. her legacy as a powerful force behind the scenes at the white house. tonight, barbara walters on nancy reagan's condition these final months. our team on a first lady who will be remembered. a special edition of "world news tonight" begins now. >> good evening. great to be with you on a sunday night. reagan. the wife and confidant of president ronald reagan. dying today in california. she will have a lasting legacy, fiercely loyal to her husband, wielding her influence behind the scenes in the white house. even during press conferences, helping her husband. death of her husband, saying her last good-bye before he was laid to rest. california governor jerry brown ordering flags at half-staff. in a moment here, barbara walters joins me. how nancy reagan was in her final year, and behind the scenes in the reagan white house, t

." >>> nancy reagan remembered. the nation mourns the former first lady. smitten with her ronnie. >> well, at that point, i just wanted to meet ronald reagan! >>> the gloves come off in the democratic debate with bernie sanders showing he is not backing down. >> excuse me. of ripping off "the new york times" famed crossword puzzles. editor. >> they should have a crossword puzzle that is worthy of their editor. >>> good morning from the studio 57 newsroom at cbs news headquarters here in new york. good to be with you. i'm meg oliver in for aemg. >>> nancy reagan died yesterday at the age of 94 from congestive heart failure. above all else, mrs. reagan is being remembered for her devotion next to her husband. she will be buried next to her you husband at the reagan presidential library in california. teri okita is here with more. >> reporter: you're right. the condolences are pouring in, both from the famous and everyday citizens who are using >> reporter: a steady stream of mourners stopped at the reagan presidential library to pay respects for the former first lady nancy reagan. >> i thought

. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is a special edition of "today," remembering nancy reagan, with matt lauer and savannah guthrie, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >>> still digesting the sad news of nancy reagan's passing, but what an incredible life she lived. legendary woman, iconic first lady and part of one of the greatest love stories of our time. morning. so many people are finding comfort in the thought these two will be reunited once again. elegance and strength. >> nancy reagan died in her home at the age of 94. she was equally passionate about her husband and the many causes she championed. we'll talk to her son ron coming up, but first, natalie is at the reagan presidential library in simi valley, california. good morning to you. >> inside the air force one hangar here at the reagan presidential library, where many are remembering nancy reagan so fondly. she redefined the role of first lady, bringing style, substance and sensitivity. >> reporter: late sunday, the hearse carrying the former first lady's body left her home in los angeles, where the 94-year-old died of cong

, and farewell to nancy davis reagan. the great 20th century rabbi, abraham joshua, was once asked what is the most important thing that a religious person can do? his answer was given in one word, remember. that is precisely what we do this day. this is what we do as religious people every time we gather. we hear again and again the stories of encountering god, ancient and cherished, stories that point to god as a mystery, yet still revealed to our fragile and mortal humanity. we remember god's saving love for the human race and family, and in that act of remembering, the god of life and giver of every good gift is present to us. and these moments that i speak to you, it is really for one purpose. to gather all the remembrances that you have just heard, those that you carry in your hearts, those of the people of our nation, and the world, and to remind you where to place them all. before the living god who gave nancy life from the first, and who now receives it back again. who is this god? this is the one who raised up israel, out of bondage in egypt, fulfilling ancient promises and ra

. we're going to get started this half hour, of course, with the remembrances for nancy reagan. she goes down in history as her husband's most loyal friend and closest adviser. >> their daughter patti davis says her mother died peacefully in her sleep at home. by all accounts the relationship she had with the man she called ronnie was extraordinary. abc's david muir looks back at her life. >> reporter: above all theirs ronnie and nancy in the final words of his last big speech, he called on her. >> before i go, i would like to ask the person who has made my life's journey so meaningful, someone i have been so very proud of over the years, to join me. nancy. >> reporter: nancy davis, a graduate of smith college and an actress in her own right, on broadway and in hollywood, she married ronald reagan on march 4th, 1952. they made one film together, "hellcats of the navy," in 1956. >> i was afraid you wouldn't come. >> reporter: but while that was the end of her acting career, she would take on a new role, her husband's inspiration. protector, guardian. their children, patti and ron jr.

would do so at their peril. we were remembering the life of nancy reagan, who we learned earlier today has died of congestive heart failure at the age of 94. she was married to the man she always called the love of her life, ronald wilson reagan, for 52 years. a love affair that started in 1951 in hollywood. their wedding followed in 1952. the rest, as they say, in this case quite literally, is history. she was thrust into the role of caregiver early on in the reagan presidency after an attempt on his life much more serious, much dicier than any of us knew at the time. she never left his side or her role as caregiver all the way until the end of his life. we are joined on the telephone by one of the major figures of those years, former general, former secretary of state colin powell, and, general, if you look at your american story from soldier to secretary of state, a story of public service dominated by a breackdrop of republican politics for the most part, where does nancy reagan fit in your american story? >> i think she is a principal figure in my american story. i had the p

to in california to the tonight we'll hear from some of those who knew nancy reagan >>> plus the showdown looming for those whowould be president as ted cruz and bernie sanders pick up steam going into some of the most crucial contests "nightly news" begins right now. announcer: from nbc news world headquarters in new >>> good evening. one of the most remarkable chapters in american political history ended sadly ith the word 69 death of nancy reagan. she was of course first lady to her husband president ronald reagan but so much more. death of her devotion to the president built her an influence. congestive heart failure in los angeles today at the age of in a statement the president and mrs. obama sent their condolences saying.ncy reagan's public journey began on the silver screen and ended in the white house. nancy davis was an herself when she met ronald reagan on the mgm lot in 1949. he was already a star.t though she had her own hollywood dreams she later said she found her greatest role as his wife. >> i think i was born married. i was the happiest girl in the world when >>

>>> making news in america this morning -- remembering nancy reagan, the former first lady with a legacy of her own. the tributes pouring in overnight. library. hillary clinton and bernie sanders sparring and talking over each other. >> you know -- >> excuse me, i'm talking. >> the democratic nominees turning up the attacks one day before the next big contest. >>> severe storms pounding the west coast right now. mudslides and flood risks. as a parade of el nino-fueled systems come ashore. we're tracking it all. a big cat caught in a trap, the risky rescue. >>> good monday morning. we begin with new tributes this morning to nancy reagan, she's a woman who leaves behind a remarkable legacy of good. >> nancy reagan was right there with president ronald reagan loyally and somewhat and sometimes controversially throughout his political career. in her honor, the flags over the u.s. capitol have been lowered to half-staff. >>> we begin with abc's brandi hitt live at the reagan library in california, in front of the plane that was once used by the reagans so many times. >> reporter: good

wittman with breaking news. former president ronald reagan's wife died. former first lady nancy reagan died at her home in los angeles at the age of 94. the cause of death was congestive heart failure. she'd be buried at the library of congress next to her howze ronald reagan. let's go right now to presidential historian michael bertsch love who's on phone. michael, we've been speaking with andrea and now with you. tell us your most profound memories of nancy reagan and the legacy she leaves behind. >> well, i think there's no more. she made ronald reagan possible. she made ronald reagan presidency possible. we think of her at tas making p popular. when they met in the 1950s, he was at the ebb of his professional career. he came back from world war ii. his audiences in hollywood were not what they were before and she basically stood at his side and brought him back not only as an actor in a few movies and they were together in a movie called "hellcats of the navy," the only time they acted together, but she was an essential collaborate never his career. one thing about nancy, when she was a

this morning to nancy reagan. a woman who leaves behind a remarkable legacy of good. >> nancy reagan was right there with president ronald reagan loyally and somewhat and sometimes controversially throughout his mritd call career. in her honor the flags over the u.s. capitol have been lower to half-staff >>> we begin with brandi hitt live at the reagan library in front of the plane once used by the reagans so many times. >> good morning. condolences and prayers continue to pour in for nancy reagan's family. here at the presidential library, mourners are paying pivotal role in her husband's career. theirs was a love story spanning more than 50 years. from hollywood all of the way to the white house, nancy reagan never left ronald reagan's side. the former first lady died at her home sunday morning. outside the ronald reagan presidential library, families are leaving flowers. as reaction pours in from across the nation. the president and michelle obama tweeting this photo, saying, our if former first lady redefined the role in her time here. >> she was one of the greatest first ladies. >>

nancy reagan. >> yes, precisely. this was the difference between nancy reagan who was the size 2 fashionista pit bull, behind the scenes woman, a woman who believed in exercise power through her husband and the modern incarnation of what to be a powerful woman is all about hillary clinton. you couldn't have a more stark contrast. look, nancy reagan was famously quoted as saying my life didn't really begin until i met ronnie. you cannot imagine that kind of statement today from a modern woman politician. and i think that's the big difference in the way in which nancy reagan thought about herself, thought about exercising power and projecting it. she was so terribly influential. as ed rowlands has told us. but she didn't really come forward with her passions whether it was drug abuse, unless it was approved by her husband, but she didn't come forward on the stem cell campaign until it was announced her husband had alzheimer's and that the cure may lie in stem cell research. and then she fought very, very hard and openly and publicly and that was such a total break with her own styl

programming to bring you breaking news. former first lady nancy reagan has died. she was 94 years old. mrs. reagan had been living in bel air california and had been in failing health in recent years. once said her life began when she met her husband and future president ronald reagan in 1951. their close relationship over the next five decades was seen as a modern love story, a model love story especially during their first years as the first family of california and then as president and first lady from 1981 until 1989. mrs. reagan returned to public life after her husband announced he had al sooimer's disease in 1994. she advocated for millions of others and families affected from that disease. her few public appearances centered mainly on keeping her husband's legacy alive as well as meeting with the leaders of the republican party who continued to seek her out. many of you may remember moments like these, the former first lady paying a quiet visit to her husband's grave as she did every year on the anniversary of the president's death. abc's cecelia vega looks back at the extraor

remembering a first lady, nancy reagan. dying today in california. she will have a lasting legacy, even during press conferences, known to help her husband with his words. in her later words, after the death of her husband, saying her last good-bye before he was laid to rest. california governor jerry brown ordering flags at half-staff. we begin with matt gutman at the reagan presidential library in california. >> reporter: nancy reagan died, morning. a family spokesman said heart failure was the cause. she remained spry and stylish to the very end, even grinning here at her 94th birthday party last summer. her stepson, michael reagan, tweeting earlier "she is where she has always wanted to be with her ronnie." tonight, condolences pouring in. fellow first lady, barbara bush, they will be reunited once more." arnold schwarzenegger. >> she was one of the greatest first ladies. >> reporter: well wishers dropping off flowers, those close to her pulling into the family estate sunday to pay respects. followed by that hearse. the reagans have been living in this estate for a quarter of a cent

nancy reagan pass is a way at the age of 94. we will look back at her life and legacy. >>> two police officers are injured after being hit by an a hedge drunk driver, "action news" is up next. >>> "action news", delaware valley's leading news program, with meteorologist melissa magee, jeff skversky and czar bloomquist and walter perez. >>> sunday night and alleged drunk driver slams into a police car injuring two officers. >>> also the search for perfect dress, the amazing event that helps deserving young ladies find exactly what to wear on prom night. >>> but the big story on "action news" is death of the former first lady, nancy reagan. >> mrs. reagan was 94 years old. her assistant said she died of congestive heart failure inside her home near los angeles. >> mrs. reagan a former actress was a towering figuring as a advisor and fierce protect ter of her husband ronald during his term as president. >> her impact was felt far beyond nation's capitol and reaction is pouring in from hollywood, to washington to around the world. we will get the more from lauren lister. >> reporter: walt

news. >>> right now at 6:00, former first lady nancy reagan has died. she was a trusted adviser and protector of our 40th president and was right by his side during a story ribook romance that spanned more than half a century. we have live team coverage tonight of reagan' emotional interview with a former white house aide and reagan library board member. her live report coming up. and this just in, we're getting new video of the haeearse in california carrying her body. reagan died today at her california home of congestive heart failure. she was 94. nbc's bruce hall remembers her life. >> reporter: nancy reagan's loyalty and devotion to her husband were absolute, whether the challenges were political mine fields or ronald reagan's agonizing battles with alzheimer's and his death in 2004. young nancy davis grew up in a prosperous family in chicago. she became an actress seen here with the movie star ronald reagan. she married the once-divorced reagan the beginning of a decades long love affair. the coup from acting to politics skpr, a began the reagans long rise to the feat of polit

my own about nancy reagan, whom i have been honored to call a friend for a long time. nancy, it's clear to all who paid any attention, protected her husband in life, has honored his legacy in every hour since. she kept the reagan torch lit and lit brightly. i came to know her as her husband suffered from alzheimer's and since my mother died of this terrible disease i felt a common bond. there was also the political connectio connection. of what they agreed on was the need to meet their duty when the time came to make things work, to meet the urgent challenge of protecting social security and to end the cold war peacefully. on every issue between these two guys was their shared sense of urgency, a missing element i think in today's politics. they believed you couldn't keep kicking the can down the road, and that led to historic reforms on taxes, immigration. led to them working together on matters that never saw the light of day. such as ending the troubles in northern ireland. both of these irish-americans cared deeply about that. i'm also glad that in the wake of this history, i

. the passing of first lady nancy reagan. refusing to recognize her as such. the report that hillary clinton, 104 e-mails containing classified information that she said from her private e-mail server. following her from the very beginning. leaders bagged turkey to take thousands of migrants back. this has swimming pools in germany and sweden are forced to segregate men and women after a string of rapes and sexual attacks by migrants. joining me here on the republican sobel ward and the past hundred passing of our former first lady. we're getting all-star analysis. fox news contributor leslie marshall. good to have you guys. it looks like trump will take it in michigan. what do you think cruise will be able to walk away with there? >> well, i think for sure that trump will run away with it. dominating in most of the polls there. i just want to say, i am with the boston herald. [laughter] >> yes. absolutely. he will absolutely be able to take michigan. his momentum is still strong. you know, this is his race to win. he is headed in the right direction. there is no doubt about it. marc

great american love stories. ronald and nancy reagan, the two are now together again after mrs. reagan passed away at the age of 94 yesterday. it's hard to overstate just how much she influenced ronald reagan and his presidency. she was his protector and often his trusted adviser. she also helped pave the way for future first ladies to take on a bigger role in the white house. >> she really i think in hindsight helped usher in this new era where the public is used to the first political and personal adviser to the president. >>> alzheimer's research and the just say no campaign against drug use were two of the many causes she championed. today flags will fly at half-staff in honor of mrs. reagan. this morning president obama and the first lady are remembering the invaluable advise nancy reagan gave them. she said mrs. reagan once said nothing could prepare you for living in the white house, but we had a head start because we were fortunate to benefit from her proud example. the statement went on to say our former first lady redefined the role in her time here. coming up, we will have a

remembering nancy reagan who died at the age of 94. "action news" is next. >>> she will be remembered for her grace, loyalty, her style and her devotion to her husband, of 52 years. nation is remembering nancy reagan who died today at the age of 94. >>> sunday night, the big story on "action news" tonight is the death of the former first lady, nancy reagan. >> mrs. reagan passed away of congestive heart failure at her home in los angeles. abc's lauren lister has more on the former first lady's life and legacy. >>> condolences have been pouring in from presidents and first ladies, past and president, also presidential hopeful, soon the public will have a chance to pay their respects, here at reagan library. nancy reagan seen smiling in her 94th birthday party last summer. today she's being celebrated and mourned for all of her years of life. well wishers dropping off flowers. loved ones pulling into the l.a. family estate to pay respects. the hearst escorted through town. the former actress, married ronald reagan in 1952 and as first lady of california and then the nation, i

extraordinary life of nancy reagan. >> reporter: at the 1996 republican national convention nancy reagan made a tribute to her husband. it moved the delegates and the nation. >> so let me close with ronny's words, not mine. >> it showed that part of her legacy would be how she carried on his. >> never forget your heroic origins, never fail to seek never lose your natural god-given optimism. >> it was that optimism that carried them to the end. ronald reagan died june 5th, 2004. >> nancy shared her grief with the nation. mrs. reagan's journey began as ann francis robins in 1921. after graduating from smith college she became an actress appearing on broadway and in hollywood films. in '52 she married ronald reagan. they would make one film together, her last. in 1956" hellcats of the navy." shifting roles from wife to mother, to patty and ron jr. and maureen from president reagan's >> i ronald reagan. >> he was sworn in as the 40th president of the united states in 1981. nancy right there by his side. she brought some hollywood glamour back to the white house but her style wasn't as

the death of former first lady nancy reagan. she passed away this morning at the age of 94. her more than 50-year marriage to ronald reagan, a true american love story. nancy reagan said her life really began when she married him. we will have much more on her life and her legacy. we'll speak to those who knew her best. >>> we also have a big political day full of news. we are expecting results from the republican primary in puerto rico at any moment. we're also monitoring the democratic caucus in maine. victor blackwell is live for us today in flint, michigan, as we lay out is a huge night for the democrats. >> reporter: 8:00 p.m. eastern bernie sanders and hillary clinton face off at the democratic debate right here on cnn. a new poll out today shows that clinton has a wide lead here in michigan over bernie sanders. and this comes, of course, as the water crisis in flint is expected to take center stage. joe johns joins me now. first to michigan, are we expecting this will be a game changer in this race. we look after super saturday, the momentum win goes to sanders, but the mathem