Michael Reagan, Conservative Commentator and President’s Eldest Son, Dies at 80
Simi Valley, Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
Michael Reagan, 80, has died. Adopted by the former president, the syndicated host became a ‘steadfast guardian’ of his father’s legacy, bridging family ties with a career in conservative media.
A Voice for Conservatism Falls Silent
Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Academy Award-winning actress Jane Wyman, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the age of 80 [1][3]. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute announced his death on Tuesday, January 6, confirming that he died in Los Angeles surrounded by his family [1][2]. Recognized by the Foundation as a “steadfast guardian of his father’s legacy,” Reagan carved out a distinct identity within the American political landscape, merging his family’s historic prominence with a career as a conservative commentator and author [2][4]. His passing followed a battle with cancer, according to officials from the Young America’s Foundation [4].
Career in Media and Advocacy
Reagan was a fixture in conservative media for decades, best known for his nationally syndicated radio program, The Michael Reagan Show, and his work as a contributor for the Newsmax television network [3][5]. He authored several books that explored both his personal history and political philosophy, including On the Outside Looking In, Twice Adopted, and the 2016 reflection Lessons My Father Taught Me [3][5]. His work extended well beyond broadcasting; he was actively involved in philanthropy, using platforms like powerboat racing to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation [5]. Furthermore, he served as chair of the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation board, championing the fight against the disease that claimed his father’s life in 2004 [3].
Steward of the Reagan Legacy
Throughout his adult life, Michael Reagan maintained a deep connection to the institutions built in his father’s honor. He was a regular presence at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, faithfully attending the annual February 6th birthday celebrations for the late president [2]. Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Board of the Reagan Foundation, noted that Michael took genuine joy in engaging with museum visitors, ensuring they felt connected to the president’s enduring story [2]. Former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, now president of the Young America’s Foundation, described him as a “wonderful inspiration” who challenged younger generations to be “happy warriors” in defense of the republic’s founding principles [4].
Personal History and Family
Born in March 1945 to Irene Flaugher and John Bourgholtzer, Michael was adopted just days after his birth by Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman [3][5]. His journey, often detailed in his autobiographical writings, included navigating a complex childhood and eventually finding a path of faith and reconciliation [5]. President Reagan wrote of this evolution in his own memoir, An American Life, stating that reading Michael’s book gave him “even more of a fatherly pride” and observing that his son was “happy and at peace with himself” [1][2]. Michael Reagan is survived by his wife, Colleen, and their two children, Cameron and Ashley [3][4].