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The Reagan years in Washington, D.C. were glamorous — designer gowns, Hollywood celebrities, and White House parties were the norm. A president often celebrates these years with his family in tow, but Ronald and Nancy Reagan were different. Ronald came to the marriage with two kids, Maureen and Michael (his daughter Christine died shortly after childbirth) from his first union to actress Jane Wyman. When he married Nancy, they had two more children, Ronald Jr. and Patti Davis, but no one in the family was very close.
“The mark of this family is that everybody is distanced from everybody else,” Davis said in her memoir, The Way I See It, via The Los Angeles Times. “There was no glue in this family.” In fact, the older children from Reagan’s first marriage did not even know about their half-siblings until they were teens because they had been shipped off to boarding school and didn’t visit with their dad’s new family. So that’s why it’s hard to find photos of the entire Reagan clan together during Ronald and Nancy’s eight years in the White House.
From the two Bush administrations to the Obamas and the Trumps, family has always been a core part of a president’s time in Washington, D.C. With the Reagans, the couple had each other — and they were inseparable. Their love was never questioned, but they had a harder time holding their family together, and celebrities came around to the White House more frequently than their own children. After a year of feuding in 1984, the family broke bread over Christmas and Nancy issued an official statement, “It was a nice visit. There are no differences. All is resolved,” she wrote, via The Washington Post. “Everybody loves each other, and this is a wonderful way to start the New Year.”
Take a look back at the Reagans and their years in the White House with their family, who were there sporadically during his two terms.
Changing of the Guard
Outgoing President Jimmy Carter waves to the crowd at the inauguration of 40th President Ronald Reagan on Jan. 20, 1981.
The Reagans Have Arrived
Newly elected President Ronald Reagan gives a thumbs-up sign to the crowd as First Lady Nancy Reagan waves from limo during the inaugural parade on Jan. 20, 1981.
The Gang Is All Here
The official Reagan family photo was taken in the Red Room at the White House on Jan. 20, 1981, on the night of his first inauguration. Standing from left to right: Geoffrey Davis, Dennis Revell, son Michael Reagan, Cameron Reagan, United States President Ronald Reagan, Neil Reagan, Dr. Richard David, Ron Junior. (sitting from left to right) Anne Davis, daughter Maureen Reagan, Colleen Reagan, First Lady Nancy Reagan, Bess Reagan, Patricia Davis, daughter Patti Davis, Doria Reagan.
Birthday Celebrations
Ronald and Nancy, wearing their formal finest, arrive in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 6, 1981, for the President’s 70th birthday party.
May I Cut In?
Ronald decided to cut in on singer Frank Sinatra, who was dancing the night away with the first lady in February 1981.
Welcome Home
The president received a warm welcome home after his his assassination attempt only 12 days earlier. Daughter Patti Davis stands closely near her dad as he returns home to the White House on April 11, 1981.
First White House Christmas
Ronald and Nancy pose under the White House Christmas tree with daughter-in-law Doria Reagan, son Ron Jr. and daughter Patti Davis in December 1981.
Happy Birthday, Mr. President
Nancy surprised Ronald with a birthday cake on his 72nd birthday on Feb. 4, 1983.
A Major Announcement
Ronald embraces Nancy alongside daughter Maureen Reagan and son-in-law Dennis Revell in the Oval Office shortly after announcing his candidacy for re-election on Jan. 29, 1984.
The King of Pop
Michael Jackson stopped by the White House to receive an award from the president for his contribution to the administration’s drunk driving awareness program in May 1984.
Sweet Father-Daughter Moment
Maureen shares a laugh with her dad during a fish fry for members of Congress on the White House South Lawn in June 1984.
Women’s Equality Day
Ronald was joined by his daughter Maureen, Nancy, Vice President Bush and 1,000 women serving in his administration to celebrate Women’s Equality Day, on the 64th anniversary of American women winning the right to vote on Aug. 27, 1984.
While House Support
The president and the first lady walked by a banner proclaiming support as they headed to Marine One on their way to Kansas City for the presidential debate against Democratic challenger Walter Mondale in October 1984.
A Family Affair
The Reagans were joined by daughter Maureen and son Ron Jr. for their dad’s victory party after he won his second presidential election on Nov. 6, 1984.
A Puppy for Christmas
March of Dimes poster child Kristen Ellis, gave the Reagans their first White House dog, Lucky, in December 1984. The pup was a little too boisterous for Washington, D.C. life, so he was sent to the couple’s ranch home, Rancho del Cielo, where he lived until his death in 1995.
Rare Family Gathering
The official 1985 family photo for Ronald’s second inauguration included daughter Maureen Reagan (on the far left), son Michael Reagan (to the left of his dad), Patti Davis (between Ronald and Nancy) and Ron Jr. (next to Patti).
Presidential PDA
Ronald and Nancy celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary with a smooch and some cake on March 4, 1985.
Rocky Is In the House
During a White House state dinner for Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore in October 1985, Ronald and Nancy posed with Sylvester Stallone and then-wife Brigitte Nielsen.
ronald-reagan-16
One of the most famous visits during their time in the White House was from Prince Charles and Princess Diana. The President and First Lady hosted a private dinner and party for them in November 1985.
Hand Across America
The dynamic duo, daughter Maureen and children of White House staffers clasped hands and sang during the Hands Across America event to raise money for the unhoused, on May 25, 1986
Puppy Love
Nancy and the family dog, Rex, watched the president conduct the German-American Day ceremony in the Rose Garden in October 1987.
Final White House Christmas
The Reagans celebrated their final Christmas in the White House as they posed next to their Christmas tree on Dec. 22, 1988.
Transition of Power
Ronald and Nancy watch early election returns on the television from the residence of the White House on Nov. 8, 1988. Vice President George H.W. Bush would go on to become the 41st President of the United States.
Tearful Goodbyes
Ronald and Nancy get teary-eyed in an emotional farewell with White House staffers on Jan. 18, 1989.
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