Michael Reagan dead at 80: Inside the life of Ronald Reagan’s most outspoken son

Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former US president Ronald Reagan, has died at the age of 80. His death was confirmed by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation on January 4, with no cause disclosed.

In a statement shared on X, the foundation described Reagan as “a steadfast guardian of his father’s legacy”, adding that he lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose and a deep commitment to President Reagan’s ideals.

A complicated place in the Reagan family

Michael Reagan was adopted by Ronald Reagan and his first wife, actress Jane Wyman, shortly after his birth. While not Ronald Reagan’s biological child, Michael became one of the most visible and outspoken defenders of his father’s political legacy.

Unlike some of his siblings, who largely avoided the political spotlight, Michael Reagan built a public career centred on preserving and promoting Reagan-era conservatism. He frequently positioned himself as a guardian of his father’s ideals, even when doing so placed him at the centre of political debate.

In his books and interviews, Reagan often reflected on the complexities of growing up inside one of America’s most famous political families, while also describing moments of distance and exclusion. Much of his public life focused on explaining what it meant to be both part of, and at times on the margins of, the Reagan legacy.

Career and public life

Michael Reagan carved out his own path as a political commentator, author and radio talk show host. He was best known for hosting The Michael Reagan Show and for his regular contributions to the conservative television network Newsmax.

He also served as chairman and president of the Reagan Legacy Foundation, an organisation dedicated to preserving the legacy of President Reagan through education and public engagement.

Reagan authored several books, including On the Outside Looking In, Twice Adopted, and Lessons My Father Taught Me, works that frequently explored identity, adoption and life in the shadow of political power.

Family and later years

Michael Reagan is survived by his wife, Colleen, and their two children, Ashley and Cameron. Ashley works as a principal at an elementary school, while Cameron is employed in sales.

He lived in Sherman Oaks, California, and remained a familiar presence at events and ceremonies at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. In later years, he continued to write, give interviews and comment on US politics, maintaining his role as a prominent voice linked to the Reagan name.