Watch CBS News

A Portrait Of The Reagans

Three and a half years ago, Ronald Reagan wrote an open letter to the people of America revealing that he was suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Since then, the socially active Ron and Nancy Reagan have seen their lives change dramatically.

Vanity Fair contributor Bob Colacello spent six months conducting more than 60 interviews with family and friends of the Reagans. The first of a two-part series on the couple is on newsstands this month.

Colacello found that, despite the former president's disease, their relationship is as strong as ever, and the two remain quite devoted to one another.

"She's the only person he still recognizes," Colacello told CBS 'This Morning' Co-Anchor Mark McEwen. "When she's not there, friends tell me he wanders around the house looking for her."

In the article, Colacello writes that Mrs. Reagan, who will turn 75 this month, still goes out with friends several times a week. But she also spends many evenings at home with Mr. Reagan. They read from her White House diaries and watch videos of state dinners and official trips.

It's their relationship that Colacello says provided the strength for Mr. Reagan's political career. "Basically, I think that her role is becoming clearer and clearer in this relationship," Colacello told McEwen. "Their relationship was the cornerstone of his political career... He had the big ideas. He knew how to communicate the ideas. She was there behind the scenes, acting as a personnel director."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.