President Reagan’s Eldest Son, Michael Reagan, Has Died
Michael Raegan, the eldest son of President Ronald Raegan, has died at the age of 80 (Photo Credit: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Reagan’s Family Announced His Death In A Statement
On January 6th, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute made an announcement on X, revealing the former President’s eldest son, Michael Reagan, had passed away.
“The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute mourns the passing of Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman, and a steadfast guardian of his father’s legacy,” the statement read. “Michael Reagan lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose, and an abiding devotion to President Reagan’s ideals. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Colleen, Cameron, Ashley, and the entire Reagan family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of sorrow.”
The foundation also shared several photos of President Reagan and his son over the years.
Michael’s wife of 50 years, Colleen, and their two children, Cameron Reagan and Ashley Reagan Dunster, released a statement to the press about the passing of their patriarch.
Their statement read, “Michael was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 4th, surrounded by his entire family. Our hearts are deeply broken as we grieve the loss of a man who meant so much to all who knew and loved him.”
A cause of death has not been announced.
Who Was Michael Reagan?
Michael Reagan was born on March 18, 1945, in Los Angeles, California. Shortly after he was born, he was adopted by Ronald Reagan and his first wife, Academy Award-winning actress Jane Wyman. Reagan and Wyman were married from 1940-1949.
Michael didn’t finish college, instead began working as a salesman for Hart, Schnaffer, & Marx, a clothing company. He had various jobs before stepping into the entertainment industry, following in the footsteps of both his parents. He appeared in the show Falcon Crest, which starred Wyman. Michael hosted the first season of the game show Lingo before starting a career in talk radio.
After getting his feet wet in Los Angeles and San Diego, he was given his own show, The Michael Reagan Show, which was broadcast nationwide for a majority of the 2000s. After his radio career, he began public speaking.
Michael wrote two autobiographies titled On the Outside Looking In (1988) and Twice Adopted (2005). In the latter book, he wrote about his adoption, his parents’ divorce, and how he became a born-again Christian.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his stepmom, Nancy. He is survived by his wife Colleen, their two children, his older sister Maureen, and his half-siblings Patti and Ron. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time.
