Ronald Reagan Biography, Career, Death, Early Life, Education, Net Worth, Age 2025

Ronald Reagan Biography – Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States. He served from 1981 to 1989. Before that, he was a famous actor and then Governor of California. He was born in 1911 and died in 2004 at age 93. Reagan is remembered as the “Great Communicator” because he spoke clearly and made people feel hopeful. He helped end the Cold War, cut taxes, and made the American economy grow again after hard times in the 1970s. Many people loved him. Some people disagreed with his ideas. But almost everyone agrees he changed America and the world forever.

Profile

• Full Name: Ronald Reagan
• Date Of Birth: February 6, 1911
• Birthplace: Tampico, Illinois
• Parents: (Father) Jack Reagan, (Mother) Nelle Reagan
• Siblings: Neil
• Spouse: Jane Wyman, Nancy Davis
• Children: Maureen (born 1941) and Michael (adopted 1945), Patti (born 1952) and Ron (born 1958)
• Net Worth: 13 million dollars

Early Life

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois. The family lived in a small apartment above a bakery. His father, Jack Reagan, was a shoe salesman. Jack liked to drink too much alcohol, which made life hard sometimes. His mother, Nelle Reagan, was a kind and religious woman. She taught Ronald and his older brother Neil to be honest and to help others.

The family moved several times. They finally settled in Dixon, Illinois, when Ronald was nine years old. He always called Dixon his hometown. Young Ronald loved sports and acting in school plays. In the summers, he worked as a lifeguard at Lowell Park on the Rock River. Between 1926 and 1932, he saved 77 people from drowning. He was proud of that number his whole life.

Money was tight during the Great Depression. Reagan learned early that hard work and faith could get you through tough times.

Education

Reagan graduated from Dixon High School in 1928. He was popular. He played football, acted in plays, and was student body president.

In 1928, he started college at Eureka College, a small Christian school in Illinois. He studied economics and sociology. He also played football, swam, and acted in many school plays. Money was short, so he washed dishes to pay for school. In 1932, he graduated with a C average. He later said the best things he learned at Eureka were how to speak in public and how to work with people.

Personal Life

Reagan married actress Jane Wyman in 1940. They had two children: Maureen (born 1941) and Michael (adopted 1945). They also had a baby girl, Christine, who died the day she was born in 1947. The marriage ended in divorce in 1949. It was one of the first Hollywood divorces to make big news.

In 1952, Reagan married Nancy Davis, also an actress. They stayed married for 52 years until Reagan died. They had two children: Patti (born 1952) and Ron (born 1958). Nancy was his closest advisor. People said she protected him and helped him make decisions. The Reagans loved their ranch in California called Rancho del Cielo. They spent as much time there as they could. Reagan called Nancy “Mommy” and she called him “Ronnie.” Their love letters are famous for being very sweet.

Net Worth

When Ronald Reagan died in 2004, his net worth was about 13 million dollars. Most of it came from:

Acting salary in the 1940s and 1950s Hosting General Electric Theater (he earned 125,000 dollars a year in the 1950s, which is over 1.3 million today) Speaking tours for General Electric (1954–1962) Two million dollars for two speeches in Japan in 1989 Book deals (his autobiography made good money) Presidential pension and Secret Service protection for life

He was not super rich like some presidents today, but he and Nancy lived comfortably. They owned homes in California and the ranch.

Career

Reagan started in radio. In 1932, he became a sports announcer in Iowa. He was very good at describing baseball games even when he was not at the game. He made the stories exciting with only a few words coming over the wire.

In 1937, he went to California to cover Chicago Cubs spring training. He took a screen test and got a seven-year contract with Warner Brothers. He made over 50 movies. His most famous roles were in Knute Rockne, All American (1940) where he said the line “Win one for the Gipper” and Kings Row (1942). After World War II, the best roles went to younger actors, so he made many Westerns and lighter films.

From 1954 to 1962, he hosted and sometimes acted in General Electric Theater on television. He traveled the country giving speeches to GE workers. That was when he really learned how to talk to big crowds and started speaking more about politics and freedom.

He was president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) twice (1947–1952 and 1959–1960). He helped fight communist influence in Hollywood during the Blacklist years.

In 1964, he gave a famous speech for presidential candidate Barry Goldwater called “A Time for Choosing.” The speech made him a national political star overnight.

Conservative

Reagan used to be a Democrat. He loved Franklin Roosevelt and voted Democratic until 1962. But over time he moved to the right. He did not like big government, high taxes, or communism.

He said his famous line: “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The party left me.”

In 1966, he ran for Governor of California and won easily. He served two terms (1967–1975). He cut welfare costs but also raised some taxes when needed. He sent the National Guard to stop violent protests at UC Berkeley in 1969. He was tough on crime and balanced the state budget.

After leaving the governor’s office, he wrote newspaper columns and gave radio speeches. He ran for president in 1976 but lost the Republican nomination to Gerald Ford. In 1980, he won the nomination and then beat President Jimmy Carter in a landslide.

As president, he cut taxes, reduced government rules, and built up the military. The economy grew strongly after 1983. He called the Soviet Union an “evil empire” and increased pressure until it finally collapsed a few years after he left office.

Legacy

Ronald Reagan is ranked by historians as one of the top ten presidents. Most Americans still have a positive view of him in 2025. Gallup polls regularly show about 60–70 percent approval of his presidency even decades later.

People remember him for:

Restoring American confidence after the 1970s Helping end the Cold War without a big war Making the economy strong again (Reaganomics) Speaking in a way that made people proud to be American

Some critics say he increased the national debt and say his policies helped rich people more than poor people. Others say he was slow to act on the AIDS crisis.

Airports, ships, and buildings are named after him. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is in Simi Valley, California. Every modern Republican president or candidate says they follow Reagan’s ideas.

Conclusion

Ronald Reagan went from a small-town boy in Illinois to one of the most important leaders of the 20th century. He showed that a person with strong beliefs, a warm smile, and clear words can change history. He loved America deeply and wanted every person to have freedom and a chance to succeed. More than twenty years after his death, people still quote him, study him, and argue about him. That is the mark of a truly great leader.

FAQs

How did Ronald Reagan die?

He died on June 5, 2004, at his home in California. He had Alzheimer’s disease for ten years.

What was Ronald Reagan most famous for?

Ending the Cold War, cutting taxes, and making Americans feel hopeful again.

Who was Ronald Reagan’s wife?

His second wife was Nancy Reagan. They were married from 1952 until his death in 2004.

How tall was Ronald Reagan?

He was 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm).

Did Ronald Reagan serve in the military?

Yes, during World War II. He made training films for the Army because of bad eyesight. He reached the rank of captain.

What was Reagan’s nickname as a child?

“Dutch.”

How many lives did he save as a lifeguard?

77.

What college did he attend?

Eureka College in Illinois, class of 1932.

Was Ronald Reagan ever shot?

Yes, on March 30, 1981, just two months into his presidency. He was seriously wounded but made a full recovery and even joked with the doctors.

What is Reaganomics?

His economic plan: cut taxes, reduce government spending in some areas, and remove many regulations so businesses could grow.

Did Reagan really say “Tear down this wall”?

Yes, on June 12, 1987, in front of the Berlin Wall in Germany. Two years later, the wall came down.

How many electoral votes did he win in 1984?

525 out of 538, one of the biggest landslides in history.