It’s a sad day. It’s a time of mourning for anyone, regardless of their political affiliation.
That’s because a former U.S. president’s son has passed away.
Michael Reagan, the oldest son of the legendary President Ronald Reagan, passed away at his Los Angeles home on Sunday. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute shared the somber news in a heartfelt statement.
At 80 years old, Michael had spent decades championing the principles that made his father a hero to millions. He was also an author and a radio talk show host.
His life’s work centered on protecting and advancing the achievements of the Reagan era, which slashed unnecessary federal meddling in everyday American lives and delivered a decisive victory in the Cold War against communist tyranny.
“Michael Reagan lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose, and an abiding devotion to President Reagan’s ideals,” the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute stated.
Born in 1945, Michael was adopted by Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman mere hours after his arrival. He opened up about the challenges tied to his life in his memoir “Twice Adopted.”
Despite those early hurdles, Michael aimed to carve out his own path in the shadow of his famous parents. He studied at Arizona State University and Los Angeles Valley College, initially pursuing acting like his mother and father.
After trying out acting, he shifted gears to radio broadcasting and authorship, where he found his true calling.
Beyond that, Michael poured his energy into charitable causes, notably chairing the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation for three years.
This commitment hit close to home, as his father, Ronald Reagan, succumbed to a grueling fight with Alzheimer’s disease in 2004, leaving a void in the conservative movement.
The foundation highlighted Michael’s successes and pointed to Ronald Reagan’s own words of admiration in his 1990 autobiography “An American Life,” showcasing the deep bond between father and son.
“When I read his book, I had even more of a fatherly pride in Mike than I had had before…he was happy and at peace with himself,” Ronald Reagan wrote.
In their announcement, the foundation called Michael’s passing “a profound loss,” emphasizing how his “presence, warmth, and unwavering commitment will be deeply missed at the Reagan Library and far beyond its walls.”
Fellow members of the Right praised Michael for his work to share former President Reagan’s ideologies to younger generations.
“He did so much more than share stories about his father. He challenged the next generation to share the values he stood for throughout his public life. He called on them to be happy warriors in the battle to uphold the founding principles of our republic,” former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said through a statement.
Michael leaves behind a family, including his wife Colleen Stearns, their children Cameron and Ashley, his grandchildren, and half-siblings Ron Reagan Jr and Patti.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
