We lost an American hero, a faithful son, and a devoted father and grandfather this week. Ronald Reagan’s oldest son, Michael Edward Reagan, died following a battle with cancer on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
I’ve had the great privilege of serving Young America’s Foundation at the Reagan Ranch for more than 25 years. It is an incredible opportunity to play a role in sharing Ronald Reagan’s legacy with young people from across the country.
I began working at the Ranch while Ronald Reagan was still alive. At that time, however, he was in the later stages of Alzheimer’s, so I never had the chance to meet the President.
Although I did not meet him in person, one of the joys of my job is getting to know the people who were close to Ronald Reagan—from members of his cabinet and administration to the Secret Service agents who protected him. Their stories are all remarkably similar. With Ronald Reagan, what you saw was what you got. There was no facade.
You perhaps get the most profound sense of that authenticity when you visit Rancho del Cielo, President Reagan’s beloved Santa Barbara ranch home. His faith, humility, patriotism, and work ethic—all are on display in very personal and poignant ways at the Ranch.
No perspective on Ronald Reagan, though, has been more important than that of his son, Michael. Since the earliest days of this project, Michael worked alongside Young America’s Foundation to share his father’s legacy and ideas with new generations.
Among many other YAF activities, Michael was typically the opening speaker at each of our high school conferences at the Reagan Ranch. He did a remarkable job setting the stage for the entire week—especially in laying the groundwork for the experience young people have when they walk in Ronald Reagan’s footsteps at Rancho del Cielo. Michael helped these future leaders better understand how Ronald Reagan’s life at the Ranch connects to his character and values.
We were at the Ranch one day several years ago for a film project when Michael looked around the simple, 19th-century adobe his father called home, and said, “Without this place, the Berlin Wall still stands.”
Michael understood well the way the Ranch gave his father both a respite from the pressures of his office and the courage to face the challenges ahead. Staying grounded at the Ranch is part of what made Ronald Reagan a transformational leader.
That simple turn of phrase is a reminder that Michael, as was his father, was a uniquely gifted communicator. He never spoke with notes, explaining that the few times he tried to work from a script, the speeches were failures.
Instead, Michael was a storyteller. He would often explain that his father spoke in parables, and Michael did the same. Vignettes from Michael’s childhood helped illuminate his father’s character, his faith, his love for his country—even his tax policy. (Michael once asked for a raise to his allowance, something his father promised to do…once a President was in office who would cut his taxes!)
Students who heard Michael speak gravitated to that same sense of authenticity that made his father such a successful leader. Few who had the privilege of listening to his stories will soon forget Michael describing Ronald Reagan’s long-held desire to say, “Nyet” to a Soviet leader, something he was finally able to do with General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in Reykjavík.
And there were few dry eyes in the room as Michael described his elderly, Alzheimer’s-ridden father standing in the doorway, waiting with arms outstretched, because Michael had forgotten to give him a hug goodbye.
As do many of the children of celebrities, there were times in Michael’s life when he may have struggled with the burden of having an internationally-known mother (Oscar-winning actress Jane Wyman) and father. But Michael carved out a path for himself that honors their legacies while leaving his own.
Of course, that legacy includes the family he leaves behind: his wonderful wife, Colleen; his son, Cameron; his daughter Ashley; and their families.
That legacy also includes the countless young people inspired by Michael’s stories of his father and by Michael’s own example. These young people have gone on to walk in the footsteps of great men like Ronald Reagan and Michael Reagan.
We are grateful for Michael’s life, for his friendship, for the family he raised, and the way the Lord has blessed the labors of his hands for the good of so many others.
To paraphrase his father’s closing words from the Oval Office:
Michael, you haven’t just been marking time. You’ve made a difference. Your voice has made this country stronger and freer, and, thanks to your commitment to sharing the lessons of your father with young Americans, you are making sure that we leave her in good hands.
All in all, not bad, not bad at all.
