Former First Lady Nancy Reagan Dies At 94

Former first lady Nancy Reagan died Sunday at the age of 94.

The news was first reported by the website TMZ, citing a "close family member," and confirmed by a spokeswoman. The Reagan Library said in a statement that the cause of death was "congestive heart failure." The widow of former President Ronald Reagan had been hospitalized in October 2014 with a fractured pelvis.

She served as first lady from 1981 to 1989 and was known for her work in combating youth drug abuse through the "Just Say No" campaign.

Nancy & Ronald Reagan

She was born Anne Frances Robbins on July 6, 1921, in New York City. When her stepfather adopted her in 1935, she took his last name of Davis. She majored in theater at Smith College in Massachusetts.

In 1951, she met her future husband when he was president of the Screen Actors Guild and she was a Hollywood actress billed as Nancy Davis. They married in Los Angeles in 1952 and had a daughter, Patti Davis, and a son, Ron Reagan.

"My life really began when I married my husband," Nancy Reagan often said. She even referenced the quote in her 1989 book My Turn.

After the wedding, Nancy Reagan appeared in only a few more films, including "Hellcats of the Navy" (1957), which also featured her husband.

"Ronnie," as she affectionately called him, served as governor of California from 1967 to 1975. During that time, Nancy Reagan supported veterans groups and advocated for the Foster Grandparent Program, which brings together older Americans with children who have physical and emotional handicaps. She drew national attention to the program once her husband was elected to the White House.