Nancy Reagan through the years

Former first lady Nancy Reagan turned 91 on July 6, 2012. While Reagan rarely speaks in public these days, her voice can still be influential inside the Republican Party, with GOP presidential candidates, including Mitt Romney, seeking out her endorsement.

She is seen here at the Reagan Presidential Library on July 5, 2012, hosting an exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives. It was her first public appearance since a fall in April left her with broken ribs.

U.S. President-elect Ronald Reagan celebrates his electoral victory with his wife, Nancy, left, and daughter Maureen on Nov. 4, 1980, in Los Angeles.

A Hollywood actress in the 1940s and 1950s, Mrs. Reagan was first lady of California when her husband was governor from 1967 to 1975 and first lady of the U.S. from 1981 to 1989.

First lady Nancy Reagan speaks with composer Jack Elliott on June 1, 1981, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

From left, Mary Jo Catlett, Dana Plato, Conrad Bain, Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges and first lady Nancy Reagan on the set of TV's "Diff'rent Strokes" on March 11, 1983.

U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, wave to supporters at an electoral meeting in November 1984, a few days before the presidential election.

President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan, center, attend a state dinner in honor of Prince Charles, left, and Diana, Princess of Wales, in Washington on Nov. 9, 1985.

President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan pose with their dog Rex on Nov. 18, 1986.

President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan wave before leaving for Camp David on Nov. 14, 1988, in Washington.

President Ronald Reagan and wife Nancy Reagan prepare to leave Washington on Jan. 20, 1989.

Former first ladies pose with first lady Barbara Bush, standing, center, on Nov. 4, 1991. From left to right, seated: Lady Bird Johnson, widow of Lyndon Johnson; Pat Nixon, wife of Richard Nixon; Rosalynn Carter, wife of Jimmy Carter; and Betty Ford, wife of Gerald Ford. Standing with Mrs. Bush is Nancy Reagan, left, wife of Ronald Reagan.

Former President Ronald Reagan and former first lady Nancy Reagan pose for a photo on March 8, 1992.

President Bill Clinton, right, listens as former first lady Nancy Reagan speaks during dedication ceremonies of the new Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on May 5, 1998.

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan waves to the crowd at the 2000 Republican National Convention at the First Union Center in Philadelphia on Aug. 1, 2000.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan, center, holds the broken champagne bottle after christening the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) as President George W. Bush, left, looks on at Newport News Shipbuilding Yard in Newport News, Va., on March 4, 2001.

President George W. Bush awards former first lady Nancy Reagan the Presidential Medal of Freedom on July 9, 2002, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest highest American civilian award.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan, left, and daughter Patti Davis attend the film premiere of "Peter Pan" on Dec. 13, 2003, in Hollywood, Calif.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan is consoled by Rev. Michael Wennning as she pays her respects at the coffin of her husband, former President Ronald Reagan, in the rotunda at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library during a memorial service on June 7, 2004, in Simi Valley, Calif. Reagan died of natural causes at age 93 at his home in California on June 5.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan touches the casket of her husband, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, during his state funeral on Capitol Hill, June 9, 2004, in Washington.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan stands next to an oversized duplicate of the new commemorative stamp of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan during its unveiling ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on Nov. 9, 2004, in Simi Valley, Calif.

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan speaks at the end of the "A Nation Honors Nancy Reagan" dinner at the Ronald Reagan Building on May 11, 2005, in Washington. The event was held to pay tribute to Mrs. Reagan and celebrate her life and her accomplishments.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan and former President George H.W. Bush pose for photographs at the 2007 Ronald Reagan Freedom Award gala dinner honoring Bush on Feb. 6, 2007, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan, left, talks with CNN reporter Anderson Cooper before the start of the CNN/LA Times/Politico GOP Presidential Candidates Republican Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Jan. 30, 2008, in Simi Valley, Calif.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan, left, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), second left, Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), second right, and Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA), right, watch President Barack Obama, center, sign a bill in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on June 2, 2009, in Washington. Mr. Obama signed the "Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act," which is intended to honor former President Ronald Reagan on his 100th birthday in 2011.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan, left, is escorted by former President George W. Bush following the funeral for former first lady Betty Ford at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church on July 12, 2011, in Palm Desert, Calif.

First lady Nancy Reagan, center, is greeted by candidates Mitt Romney, left, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry before the start of the Ronald Reagan Centennial GOP Presidential Primary Candidates Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Sept. 7, 2011, in Simi Valley, Calif.