Nancy Reagan was “de facto chief of staff” throughout Ronald’s stint at White House

WASHINGTON - A new PBS documentary about former First Lady of the United States Nancy Reagan is set to highlight that she was something of a ‘Rove-esque’ figure throughout her husband and President Ronald Reagan’s political career.

“Role of a Lifetime” is narrated by journalist Judy Woodruff, who covered the White House during the Reagan administration.

It follows Nancy from birth to the present, painting a flattering portrait of “one of the most influential first ladies in modern times”, and a behind-the-scenes dealmaker who wielded significant influence within the administration.

The hour-long profile features interviews with the former first lady, former White House chief of staffs James A. Baker III and Ken Duberstein, James Rosebush (onetime chief of staff to Nancy) and former press aide Nancy Reynolds, along with biographer Lou Cannon and the Reagans’ son Ron.

Talking about Nancy, Baker, who served as White House chief of staff from 1981 to 1985, said: “If there was one person who was indispensable to Ronald Reagan’s political success, it was Nancy Reagan.”

Allida Black, a historian, believes that Nancy was “a de facto chief of staff” throughout Ronald’s stint at the White House as the President.

“For Nancy Reagan to have this type of power, she had to deny it. Not only because Americans would be uncomfortable with it, but because she didn’t want to make her husband look weak,” Politico quoted Black, as saying.

The documentary also shows a humorous and personal side of Nancy, who remains involved with her late husband’s presidential library in California.

Ronald Reagan had served as the 40th US President from January 20, 1981, to January 20, 1989. (ANI)