Former U.S. first lady Nancy Reagan's funeral held in Southern California

Xinhua News Agency

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Former U.S. first lady Nancy Reagan's funeral was held in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Southern California Friday, attended by four first ladies, former President George W. Bush and former First Daughter Caroline Kennedy along with around 1,000 other celebrities.

Four of the five living first ladies -- Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Rosalynn Carter -- were seated in the first row during the funeral service at the Library in Simi Valley.

Nancy Reagan's daughter and son, Patti Davis and Ronald Prescott Reagan Jr., shared their thoughts about their parents during the funeral. James Baker, Ronald Reagon's former chief-of-staff, also shared some memories about the couple.

The 52-year-long love story between Nancy and Ronald Reagan were recalled in the reflections, as well as Nancy's strong support for her husband's political career. Reagan Jr. said that without Nancy Reagan, Ronald Reagan would not be Ronald Reagan.

Members of the Kennedy, Nixon, Johnson and Ford families also attended the funeral.

Republican Nancy Pelosi, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and current Governor Jerry Brown were among the invited-only guests.

Nancy Reagan passed away over congestive heart failure on Sunday at the age of 94. She will be buried at the Library next to her husband who died in 2004.

Born in New York City, Nancy Reagan came to fame in the 1940s and 1950s during her acting career in Hollywood. She and her husband were married in 1952.

During Reagan's presidency from 1981 to 1989, Nancy put a lot of effort in the anti-drug campaign known as "Just say no."

After her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994, Nancy called for more research on the disease.