Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan and a prominent conservative commentator, has died at 80. He devoted much of his public life to advancing his father’s political ideals.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute announced Reagan’s death on Tuesday in a post on the social media platform X, describing him as “a steadfast guardian of his father’s legacy.” His cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Reflecting on his impact, the foundation stated, “Michael Reagan lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose, and an abiding devotion to President Reagan’s ideals.”
Reagan died on Sunday, January 4th, surrounded by family, his wife Colleen Reagan, and his two children, Cameron Reagan and Ashley Reagan Dunster, said in a statement. “Michael was called home to be with the Lord that day, surrounded by his entire family. Our hearts are deeply broken as we grieve the loss of a man who meant so much to all who knew and loved him.”
Though forever linked to one of the most influential presidencies of the 20th century, Reagan built a public career of his own as a conservative media figure. He was a longtime contributor to the cable television network Newsmax and hosted the nationally syndicated radio program “The Michael Reagan Show,” where he addressed politics, culture, and the state of the Republican Party. Over nearly two decades in radio, Reagan became known for his blunt style and frequent references to what he described as core Reagan-era principles.
Born in 1945 to Irene Flaugher, Reagan was adopted just hours after birth by Ronald Reagan and his first wife, actress Jane Wyman. His adoption and early family life became defining elements of his personal narrative, shaping both his writing and public speaking. While his adoptive parents divorced when he was young, Reagan later said his upbringing pushed him to grapple early with questions of identity, belonging, and faith.
Reagan attended Arizona State University and Los Angeles Valley College in the 1970s before briefly pursuing acting, appearing in television shows including Falcon Crest in the early 1980s. Although his time in entertainment was short-lived, it paved the way for a longer career in broadcasting and writing, where he found a platform to articulate his political views and personal experiences.
He authored several books, including two autobiographical works—On the Outside Looking In and Twice Adopted—which chronicled his sometimes difficult childhood and journey toward religious faith. In 2016, in Lessons My Father Taught Me, Reagan, more directly reflected on his relationship with his father, sharing stories and values he said were instilled in him as he grew up in the Reagan household.
Beyond media and politics, Reagan dedicated significant time to charitable work. He raised funds through powerboat racing for organizations including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. He also served on the advisory board of the Mixed Roots Foundation, which focuses on foster care and adoption issues in the United States and abroad.
Reagan’s advocacy extended to Alzheimer’s awareness, which had deep personal meaning. He served as chair of the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation board for three years, working to combat the disease that claimed his father’s life in 2004. Ronald Reagan’s public disclosure of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis helped bring national attention to the illness, a legacy Michael Reagan often referenced in his advocacy.
As president and chair of the Reagan Legacy Foundation, Reagan remained a vocal champion of his father’s record and philosophy. Ronald Reagan, who served as president from 1981 to 1989, was known for efforts to reduce government size, cut taxes, and confront the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Michael Reagan consistently argued that those principles remained relevant, even as American politics shifted in the decades after his father left office.
More information on Michael Reagan’s life and work is available through the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute at https://www.reaganfoundation.org and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum at https://www.reaganlibrary.gov. Both document his role in preserving and promoting the Reagan legacy.
