Mr. Reagan, who was president from 1981-1989, was surrounded by family members when he passed away at his Los Angeles home Saturday.

Since 1994, Reagan had suffered from Alzheimer’s, which destroys brain cells and causes memory loss. Last month, Mrs. Reagan revealed her husband's condition had worsened. Reagan served two terms in the White House, marked by the climax of the Cold War and the beginning of the end of Soviet communism.

Mr. Reagan was the 40th president of the United States. Taking office at the age of 69, Reagan became the oldest president to do so. He also lived longer than any U.S. president.