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Interesting Love Stories that Helped Shape the Modern World

Larry Holzwarth August 7, 2020 32 min

22. Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis

From right; William Holden, Nancy and Ronald Reagan, and Ardis Holden at the Reagan’s wedding. Wikimedia

While serving as the Director of the Screen Actors Guild in 1949, Ronald Reagan received a message from Nancy Davis, who had been included in a list of communists subject to blacklisting. In her case, it was mistaken identity, and Reagan helped her clear up the issue. They married in 1952. Another Hollywood actor, William Holden, served as Reagan’s best man. It was his second marriage, her first. By all accounts, their relationship was strong, warm, and very close. Both used pet names for each other, even decades later when Reagan served as the 40^th President of the United States. He relied on her counsel in all things and was not ashamed to speak about it.

Her influence on his two terms in office was often controversial. At times it was subject to open ridicule, as when reports surfaced that she consulted an astrologer for recommendations on which days were fortuitous for various activities, such as travel. Her influence led to friction with Reagan’s Chief of Staff, Don Regan, and according to several sources led to his being fired by the President. Regan later wrote, “Virtually every major move and decision the Reagans made during my time as White House Chief of Staff was cleared in advance with a woman in San Francisco who drew up horoscopes to make certain that the planets were in a favorable alignment for the enterprise”.

Where do we find this stuff? Here are our sources:

“Cleopatra”. Article, BBC History Online.

“The Love Affair of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and the Handsome Antinous”. Article, Ancient Origins. March 9, 2018. Online

“Beatrice and Dante”. Article, Florence Inferno. Online

“Ferdinand of Aragon marries Isabella of Castile”. This Day in History. History.com

“Successful and Unsuccessful Lovers of the Rich and Powerful in History”. Natasha sheldon, History Collection, November 1, 2019

“Anne Boleyn” Article, Tower of London. Historic Royal Palaces. Online

“Abigail Smith Adams”. Article, The White House. Online

“Queen Charlotte, Consort of George III”. Article, Royal Collection Trust. Online

“Benedict Arnold: The Aftermath of Treason”. Milton Lomask, American Heritage Magazine. October, 1967

“Dolley Madison”. Biography, National First Ladies Library. Online

“Frank Butler”. Biography, The American Experience. PBS, Online