Former US first lady Nancy Reagan dies

Former actress and United States First Lady Nancy Reagan has died at age 94 from congestive heart failure.

File photo: President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, wave from windows of his hospital room at the Navy Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. (AAP) Source: AAP

Following a lengthy career in Hollywood, her eight years in the White House and public-advocacy work with Alzheimer's research eventually made Ms Reagan an inspiration to many.

She will be buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, next to her late husband.

President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan wave to onlookers in Washington following the swearing in ceremony. Source: AP

作为里根坚贞虔敬的妻子，也是里根信靠的知己心腹，南希和罗纳德·里根携手共度52年。两人的婚姻曾被形容为美国总统史上最伟大的爱情故事。

出身好莱坞女星的南希，在好莱坞生涯、入主白宫8年、里根遇刺受伤，以及罹患阿兹海默症期间，一直不遗余力的保护里根，堪称是里根的守护者。

美国总统奥巴马和夫人米歇尔发表声明悼念南希的去世，并表示感激南希的一生。