Michael Reagan, the eldest son of the late US President Ronald Reagan and a prominent conservative voice, has died at the age of 80.
Guardian of a Presidential Legacy
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute confirmed the news in a statement posted on the social media platform X on Tuesday. The foundation paid tribute, describing him as "a steadfast guardian of his father’s legacy" who lived a life defined by conviction and a deep commitment to the former president's ideals. An immediate cause of death was not provided.
Born to Irene Flaugher in 1945, Michael was adopted just hours after his birth by Ronald Reagan and his first wife, the actor Jane Wyman. He would later carve out his own public career while becoming a dedicated champion of his father's political heritage.
A Life in Media and Philanthropy
Following in his parents' footsteps, Reagan initially pursued acting after studying at Arizona State University and Los Angeles Valley College. He appeared in television programmes, including the popular drama Falcon Crest.
However, he found his true calling as a conservative commentator. For nearly two decades, he hosted The Michael Reagan Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio programme where he dissected politics and culture. More recently, he was a regular contributor to the conservative television network Newsmax.
Reagan authored several books, using them to explore his personal journey. In works like On the Outside Looking In and Twice Adopted, he wrote candidly about the challenges of his childhood and his adoption. His 2016 book, Lessons My Father Taught Me, detailed the insights he gained from growing up as Ronald Reagan's son.
His philanthropic work was extensive and often personally motivated. An avid powerboat racer, he used the sport to raise funds for charities including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He also served for three years as chair of the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation board, tackling the disease that ultimately claimed his father's life in 2004.
Championing Family and Conservative Ideals
As president and chair of the Reagan Legacy Foundation, Michael Reagan worked tirelessly to promote the legacy of his father, the conservative icon known for his efforts to reduce the size of government and his pivotal role in ending the Cold War.
He was also deeply involved in adoption and foster care advocacy, serving on the advisory board of the Mixed Roots Foundation. In his personal life, he was married for decades to his wife, Colleen, with whom he had two children.
The passing of Michael Reagan marks the loss of a significant figure in American conservative media and a devoted custodian of one of the most influential presidencies of the 20th century.
