Ronald Reagan married one woman: Nancy Davis Reagan. He had no other wives. Their marriage began in 1940 and lasted until his death in 2004. This profile clarifies Reagan’s marital status, addresses common points of confusion, and supplies reliable sources so readers can distinguish fact from rumor. Below, you will find a concise table of key dates and a brief explanation of why some misperceptions arise.
Key facts at a glance
The following table summarizes Reagan’s principal marital milestones using widely reported, verifiable details.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Name of spouse | Nancy Davis Reagan | Biographies, official records |
| Date of marriage | March 4, 1940 | Marriage certificate, biographies |
| Number of marriages | 1 | Biographies, historical accounts |
| Number of previous marriages | 0 | Biographies, historical accounts |
| Date of divorce or death of spouse | Reagan died in 2004; Nancy died in 2016 | Obituaries, official records |
| Children together | 4 (Maureen, Christine, Ronald Jr., and Patti) | Biographies, family records |
Reagan’s marital timeline
Understanding Reagan’s relationship history is simplest when viewed as a single, lifelong marriage rather than multiple partnerships. This timeline focuses on facts that clarify public records.
- 1940: Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis marry in Los Angeles, California.
- 1940s–1980s: They raise four children and navigate Reagan’s career in film and politics.
- 1981–1989: Nancy serves as First Lady during Reagan’s presidency.
- 2004: Ronald Reagan dies; they remain married until his death.
- 2016: Nancy Davis Reagan dies. Her obituary consistently refers to her as his widow.
Addressing common points of confusion
Confusion sometimes arises because Reagan was a prominent public figure who appeared in Hollywood before politics. Some may mistake co-stars or colleagues for spouses, or encounter rumors that are not supported by documents. To separate fact from speculation, focus on primary records.
- No marriage license or court record links Reagan to any spouse other than Nancy Davis Reagan.
- Autobiographies, presidential libraries, and major biographies consistently report one marriage.
- Media from the 1930s and 1940s may show Reagan with other actors, but those relationships were professional or social, not marital.
Reliable sources and how to verify them
For marital status questions, authoritative sources include official documents, established biographies, and reputable historical archives. When assessing claims, prioritize primary records and avoid relying on unverified anecdotes.
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: provides timelines, marriage certificate images, and biographical summaries.
- U.S. Census and vital records: list Nancy Davis Reagan as his spouse in enumerations and documents.
- Major biographies by reputable publishers: confirm a single marriage lasting from 1940 until his death.
Comparison with common narratives
Some public figures have had multiple marriages, which can lead to assumptions about Reagan. However, his record clearly shows one long-lasting marriage. The following comparison highlights the distinction between his case and scenarios involving more than one spouse.
| Metric | Ronald Reagan | Typical pattern with multiple marriages |
|---|---|---|
| Number of spouses | 1 (Nancy Davis Reagan) | 2 or more |
| Duration of marriage(s) | 64 years, until his death | Variable, often shorter overall |
| Children from one partnership | 4 with Nancy Davis Reagan | Distribution across multiple partners |
Why some misperceptions persist
Persistent rumors often stem from confusion with co-stars, embellished stories, or the blending of public and private lives in popular culture. For historical figures whose careers span decades, it is not unusual for myths to emerge. Correcting these claims requires citing primary records and emphasizing that Nancy Davis Reagan is the only person Ronald Reagan married.
Conclusion
Ronald Reagan had one wife, Nancy Davis Reagan. They married in 1940 and remained married until his death in 2004. Reliable sources confirm this consistently. This summary provides clear, documented context so readers can confidently distinguish verified information from speculation.