Reagan, Maureen (1941–2001)

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Reagan, Maureen (1941–2001)

American activist and first daughter. Born Jan 4, 1941, in Los Angeles, California; died Aug 8, 2001, in Sacramento, California; dau. of Ronald Reagan (president of US) and Jane Wyman (b. 1914, actress); stepdau. of Nancy Reagan (b. 1921); briefly attended Marymount Junior College; married and div. twice; m. 3rd husband Dennis Revell (lobbyist and public relations firm owner), 1991; children: (adopted) Rita Revell.

Outspoken feminist who disagreed with father on abortion rights and Equal Rights Amendment, chaired the US delegation to World Conference of UN Decade for Women (1985) and served as US representative to UN Commission on the Status of Women; served as co-chair of Republican National Committee (1987–89) and created a political action committee that supported over 100 women candidates; ran unsuccessfully for US Senate seat (1982); was also a political analyst and radio and tv talkshow host. Received Alzheimer's Association's Distinguished Service Award (2000).

See also First Father, First Daughter: A Memoir (1989); and Women in World History.