From their early days in Hollywood, to the California governor's mansion, to the White House, Nancy Reagan was always by Ronald Reagan's side, advising and protecting him…even during the long, lonely years when he battled and finally lost his fight with Alzheimer's disease.

His agenda was her agenda. Making sure that Reagan was healthy and successful was her number one concern. She balanced his optimism with reality and made sure that his aides translated his broad ideas into policy. While the public saw a traditional First Lady, dressed in designer clothes and redecorating the White House, behind the scenes she was much more involved with personnel and policy issues than the public realized.

MacNeil-Lehrer Productions takes an intimate look at this complicated First Lady. Historians, White House staffers and advisors, family, and friends share their recollections of one of the most influential and controversial first ladies in American history.

Producer: Mary Beth Durkin
Executive Producer: Susan L. Mills
Production Year: 2010
Copyright Year: 2010
Director: Mary Beth Durkin
Host: Judy Woodruff
Writers: Mary Beth Durkin
Discs: 1
Subtitles: Y
Subtitle Language: English (SDH)
Audio Format: Stereo