According to the IMDB Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan’s first wife and the mother of Michael and Maureen, is still living. Has anyone heard from her? Seen her? Will she be at any of the funeral ceremonies?
Bonus Q: Any word from Lady Bird Johnson, either? Will she be at any of the funeral ceremonies?
Last I read, Mrs. Johnson was not in good health.
As for Jane Wyman, I would be surprised if she showed up at the public funeral. She may come to the private burial if Mrs. Reagan invites her.
But that’s my speculation.
Jane Wyman was always circumspect about her marriage to Reagan.
Jane Wyman is 90 years old and in frail health. And, as BobT says, she has always taken the high road and stayed out of the limelight as far as Reagan is concerned.
He has taken a similar high road regarding her. The whole marriage is treated, in his memoirs, in one two-sentence paragraph.
He likely could have been nastier, considering that it was Wyman that left him. But that would have served no purpose.
I read today that Jane Wyman will not be attending any of the services for her ex-husband. She is in poor health and doesn’t travel. And it has been 56 years since their marriage ended.
Jane Wyman was at her daughter Maureen’s funeral in 2001. Surprisingly and touchingly, Nancy Reagan was there by her side to comfort her. They say that burying one’s child is the bitterest blow.
Can someone tell me about the Reagan kids? Which are his but not hers, which are hers but not his, and which belong to both?
Maureen and Michael are Ron and Jane’s (Michael is adopted). Ron Reagan Jr (although he isn’t really a “Junior”) is Ron and Nancy’s, as is Patti.
I did hear on the news that “Lady Bird and Lucie Johnson sent their condolences,” leading to a “She’s Still Alive?” moment re:Lady Bird.
I have always wondered about the Jane Wyman breakup and the cold silence that followed. The story I heard back when Ron was still Governor of California was that Nancy caused the breakup. She had set her eyes on Ron and seduced the big lummox, leading Jane to say, “You want her? You can have her!” and walking out on Ron. This has always seemed suspect to me, as the breakup occured in 1948, with Ron and Nancy getting hitched in 1952, and the story came from a Hollywood Gossip-monger.
Well, that puts a whole new spin on that scene in Back To The Future when Marty meets Doc in 1955 tells him that Reagan is President in 1985 and Doc says, “I suppose Jane Wyman is the First Lady!”
Good catch! I never noticed that before. The continuity editors for the film should have picked up on that, but it made for a good line!
You are correct, in that Nancy was not involved in the divorce. Jane Wyman initiated proceedings in 1948, and Ron and Nancy did not meet until 1951, after the divorce was final.
Reagan referred to the period after his divorce as the saddest of his life.
Nancy Davis met Ronald Reagan when she was receiving unrequested Communist literature in her mail, and he was president of the Screen Actor’s Guild. She requested his assistance in making sure no one thought she was a Communist.
Source is the World Book Encyclopedia Online.
Regards,
Shodan
There was also a third child, Christine I believe, who was born prematurely and died a short time after her birth.
I wasn’t aware of that. How sad.
It’s listed by IMDB as “Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers):”
Jane Wyman has asked a friend to make a statement for her.
“America has lost a great president and a great, kind and gentle man.”
This is likely to be the only thing we’ll hear from Ms. Wyman on the subject, if past history is anything to go by.
In an age of Jerry Springer, Britney Spears, and J-Lo, the reticence this couple has shown on the subject of their personal life is nothing short of remarkable.
And very welcome.