Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States of America, was born in Tampico, a small town in Illinois, on 6 February 1911 from a family of rather humble origins. As a boy he works as a lifeguard (saving 77 people from drowning in the course of 7 years) and to pay for his university studies he makes use of his physical presence and becomes a good football player. In 1932 he graduated in social sciences at Eureka college, then moved on to sports journalism acquiring notoriety as a radio commentator.
From the radio the young Reagan makes the jump in the world of cinema, taking part in about 50 films, but is forced to interrupt the activity of actor with the outbreak of the Second World War, participating with the rank of captain in the ranks of the Air Force. At the end of the conflict he returned to Hollywood, starting his political activity as president of the actors' union taking part in the Maccartista purge that led to the removal from the studios of the elements considered pro-communist and anarchist. In this period he also divorced from his wife Jane Wayman, reuniting again with the young actress Nancy Davis who will stay with him for the rest of his life.
In 1964 he entered politics full time supporting the Republican presidential campaign Goldwater, while in 1966 he was nominated as Governor of California obtaining an overwhelming victory, being also re-elected in 1970.
In 1980 the Republicans aim for Reagan for the White House run against outgoing president Jimmy Carter, winning a massive victory here and remaining in office until 1989. His presidency is characterized by a liberal economic approach, the so-called " Reaganomics ", and for the intense activity of foreign policy that will lead to a détente in relations with the USSR of Michail Gorbacev.
At the end of the second term, concluded with a very high popularity, he retires to California, from where, with an open letter to the United States, announces to be suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which will force him to cancel the public appearances and a continuous assistance until death, which occurred in 2004 at the age of 93.