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The Love Story of Ronald and Nancy Reagan

The former first lady's funeral is underway.

ByABC News
March 11, 2016, 2:34 PM

— -- Nancy Reagan, who died in her Los Angeles home on Sunday at the age of 94, was loyal to her husband President Ronald Reagan throughout their 52 years of marriage.

The former first lady, whose funeral service begins today, was remembered for the issues she championed, but perhaps her biggest legacy was her unbreakable love with Ronald.

PHOTO: President Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan pose on the White House South Lawn for a casual official portrait, Nov. 22, 1981.
President Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan pose on the White House South Lawn for a casual official portrait, Nov. 22, 1981.

James Rosebush, chief of staff to Nancy Reagan, said that the love the Reagans shared was real.

“I was often asked, ‘Is this genuine? Do they really have this kind of bond?’ and I said, ‘Oh yes, without question,’” Rosebush said on “Good Morning America.”

Their romance, which would span more than half a century, was captured by decades of love letters written by Ronald.

“My darling, I love you so very much," the president wrote to his wife on March 20, 1955. "I don't even mind that life made me wait so long to find you. The waiting only made the feeling sweeter."

Both actors, Nancy and Ronald's love began in Tinsel Town in the early 1950s.

PHOTO: Portrait of American actors Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis (center) on their wedding day with their arms wrapped around Best Man, American actor William Holden, and Maid of Honor, Phillipine-born actor Brenda Marshall, circa 1952.
Portrait of American actors Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis (center) on their wedding day with their arms wrapped around Best Man, American actor William Holden, and Maid of Honor, Phillipine-born actor Brenda Marshall, circa 1952.

The couple wed on March 4, 1952, in Los Angeles.

After they were married, Ronald continued his acting career, but Nancy retired to stay home with their two children, Patti and Ron Jr. and her two stepchildren Michael and Maureen, from President Reagan’s first marriage.

Nancy decided to became her husband’s devoted caretaker after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The only thing that could separate them was his death in 2004.

“I miss Ronnie a lot, an awful lot,” Nancy said of her husband in a 2009 interview with Vanity Fair magazine. “People say it gets better. No, it does not.”