While many first ladies have wrestled with being thrust in the public spotlight, Nancy Reagan understood how to leverage the power of the press. When plagued by the perception of snobbery, she was able to reverse the onslaught of negative publicity through an effective public relations campaign to combat drug use.
Presidential historian Andy Och argues that no other first lady commanded the attention of the media like Nancy Reagan did.
“She really knew how to get her image out there and use it effectively,” Och said.
Watch as Och shares how the wife of Ronald Reagan leaned on her background in Hollywood to protect and shape her husband’s legacy.
