that does it for us here at 5:00. see you at 6:00. tonight, a special edition of "world news tonight." remembering nancy reagan. the former first lady, passing away at her home. for president ronald reagan, she was his most trusted advisor. their lasting relationship, a love affair spanning five dec e decad decades. redefining the role of the first lady. a political figure herself. her legacy as a powerful force behind the scenes at the white house. tonight, barbara walters on nancy reagan's condition in these final months. and our team on a first lady who will be remembered. a special edition of "world news tonight" begins now. good evening. great to be with you on a sunday night. we begin with a nation remembering a first lady, nancy reagan.

the wife and confidant of president ronald reagan. dying today in california. she will have a lasting legacy, fiercely loyal to her husband, wielding her influence behind the scenes in the white house. even during press conferences, known to help the president. americans remembering so many homes. in her later years, after the death of her husband, saying her last good-bye before he was laid to rest. president obama praising hr her for becoming the voice of millions of americans after the death of ronald reagan. california governor jerry brown ordering flags at half-staff. in a moment here, barbara walters joins me. how nancy reagan was in her final year, and behind the scenes in the reagan white house, the reagan marriage. but we begin with matt gutman at the reagan presidential library in california. >> reporter: nancy reagan died at her los angeles home sunday morning. a family spokesman said heart failure was the cause. she remained spry and stylish to the very end, even grinning here at her 94th birthday party last

summer. her stepson, michael reagan, tweeting earlier that "she is where she has always wanted to be, with her ronnie." tonight, condolences pouring in. fellow first lady, barbara bush, writing, "we take comfort that they will be reunited once more." former california governor, arnold schwarzenegger. >> she was one of the greatest first ladies. extraordinary human being. >> reporter: well wishers dropping off flowers, those close to her pulling into the family estate sunday to pay respects. followed by that hearse. the reagans have been living in this estate for a quarter of a century, and it's also here that in 2004, ronald reagan died. she was as devoted to him in death as in his life. it was at his gravesite that this iconic image was taken. the first lady kissing the coffin, pressing her cheek against it and lingering there. year after year, visiting that gravesite. on the 10th anniversary of his passing in 2014, seen in that wheelchair.

>> matt is with us tonight, from california. nancy reagan will be buried there alongside her beloved husband? >> that's right, david. funeral preparations have already begun here. this was a special place she would come to meditate and pray, always knowing she would one day join him here. david? >> matt, thank you. nancy reagan said her life really began when she met ronald reagan in 1951. a relationship that would last more than five decades. as first lady, she was her husband's most trusted advisor. a partnership that took them from hollywood to the white house. and mrs. reagan, a political force on at least one key issue after her husband's death. above all, theirs was a love story -- ronnie and nancy. in the final words of his last big speech, he called on her. >> before i go, i would like to

ask the person who has made my life's journey so meaningful, someone i have been so very proud of over the years, to join me, nancy. >> reporter: nancy davis, a graduate of smith college and an actress in her own right, on broadway and in hollywood, she married ronald reagan on march 4th, 1952. they made one film together, "hellcats of the navy," in 1956. >> i was afraid you wouldn't come. >> reporter: but while that was the end of her acting career, she took on a new role -- her husband's inspiration, protector, guardian. their children, patti and ron jr. and from president reagan's marriage to jane wyman, michael and maureen. on their 20th anniversary, he was governor, she, first lady of california, and he wrote to her, "i can't remember ever being without you." >> i, ronald reagan -- >> reporter: she was at his side as he was sworn in as the 40th president in 1981. nancy reagan famously brought her style and some hollywood flair to the white house.

the legendary state dinners. president reagan cutting in on a dance with the first lady and frank sinatra. they were a team, she was fiercely protective. running to her husband's side when he was shot nearly two months into his presidency. later, writing in his diary about waking up after being shot. "i opened my eyes to find nancy there. i pray i never face a day when she isn't there. of all the ways god has blessed me, she is more than i deserve." after the shooting, the first lady sometimes clashing with aides. accused of controlling her husband at times, and there was this famous moment when mrs. reagan helped him come up with the words. >> doing everything we can. >> doing everything we can. >> reporter: reagan's former chief of staff revealing that she once consulted an astrologer in making his schedule. her signature cause in the white house was fighting teen alcohol and drug abuse, creating "just

say no." >> just say no! >> reporter: after ronald reagan revealed in a public letter he had alzheimer's disease in 1994, nancy reagan became even more the protector of his life and his legacy. calling it a long good-bye. >> as each day brings another reminder of this very long good-bye. >> reporter: giving an emotional tribute at the 1996 republican convention. >> so let me close with ronnie's words, not mine. never forget your heroic origins. never fail to seek divine guidance. and never, never lose your natural god-given optimism. >> reporter: when the president died in 2004, mrs. reagan meticulously planned his funeral, stoic until this moment. years later, she championed stem cell research. as a way a of saving other families the pain of

alzheimer's. putting the reagan library at the forefront of politics. in her last major interview, nancy reagan spoke of the living without the love of her life -- "people say it gets better. no, it does not," she said. "i miss ronnie a lot, an awful lot." and barbara walters is here tonight. always great to have you. >> thank you. >> you spoke with her in her final year. what was her condition in the last few months? >> she was physically fragile. there were times she had to be in a wheelchair. but her mind was perfectly sound. >> you interviewed both the president and first lady multiple times. you asked about their marriage. i want to show everyone at home what they said was the secret of their marriage. >> how do you keep the romance in a marriage? >> i think it used to be that one of you thought it had to be, everything had to be your way. or 50/50. and it isn't always 50/50. >> what is it? >> sometimes it's 90/10, and you have to be willing to give the

90, or he has to be willing to give the 90. but it's something you want to do. >> clark gable once said, a line that i felt was very eloquent. there's nothing more wonderful for a man than to approach his own doorstep knowing that someone on the other side of the door is listening for the sound of his footsteps. >> she said, it's not always 50/50, and you were saying hardly. >> i think it was 70/30. she just adored him. there are other good marriages, but she would listen to his speeches with that glowing face. anything he did was fine with her. and she also was politically helpful. she advised him, it wasn't just an attractive woman in the white house. >> he followed his gut and her gut in the white house. and she was his fierce protector up until the very end. >> towards the end, i did an

interview with both of them, you could tell he was losing it. she answered the questions, she prompted him. she was very much a force for him. >> and how will you remember her, barbara? >> i just remember her elegance, and the style that she had. other first ladies were, you know, fine. i'm not criticizing. but she had a certain style that's still reflected in the white house. >> barbara, thank you. president obama and michelle obama reflecting on the death of nancy reagan, releasing a statement saying our former first lady redefined the role. in her time here. let's get right to jonathan karl. let's go back to the image in 2009, because there's a story behind this image? >> that's right, their relationship actually got off to an awkward start, when president obama in his first press conference seemed to dis her by mentioning her use of an

astrologer, and called her to apologize later. but they later found common cause. in that photo, you see them linking arms after joining together to favor federal funding for stem cell research. it was a big deal, for nancy reagan, because it was something at the time that most conservatives were adamantly opposed to. >> she was doing to help families fighting alzheimer's. and there's been a real outpouring from other first families, like the bushes and clintons? >> yes, we had a tweet from hillary clinton, saying nancy's strength of character was legendary. and her advocacy especially for alzheimer's research was tireless. and from the bushes, george w. and his wife, her devotion to her husband was only matched to her devotion for our country. so, some very warm words.

from people that came to the white house after the reagans left. >> jon, thanks. and tonight, the other major headline involves the race for the white house. nancy reagan was often quoted by candidates over the years. this year, the fractured party gearing up for its next battle, tuesday's michigan primary. and a new poll showing donald trump with 41%. cruz, 22%, rubio, 13%. tom llamas on the candidates paying tribute to nancy reagan. >> reporter: tonight, the death of nancy reagan bringing a temporary truce in the republican race for president. >> she was an incredible lady. very strong, and a total class act. and i got to tell you, she is now as she used to say with her ronnie and with the lord, and that's great. >> reporter: frontrunner donald trump today pronouncing mrs. reagan a, quote, "amazing woman." senator marco rubio calling her "a true example of integrity and grace." and senator ted cruz saying she will be remembered for her "deep

passion for this nation and love for her husband." but amid the tributes, a realization. after last night's contests, the campaign now moving closer and closer to a two-man race between cruz and trump. >> marco rubio had a very, very bad night, and personally, i'd call for him to drop out of the race. i think it's time now that he drop out of the race. i really think so. i think it's probably time, you know. i don't think tonight he can get up and rant and rave and, oh, he did great. >> reporter: super saturday was cruz's biggest night yet. record turnout handing him decisive wins in kansas and maine. trump took louisiana and kentucky, but with cruz close behind in second. >> i want ted one-on-one, okay? >> it has to be head-to-head. >> reporter: tonight, senator rubio winning in puerto rico, adding nearly two dozen delegates, and vowing to beat trump in the senator's home state of florida. >> we're gonna win florida. and you'll find out on march 15th how confident we are.

>> reporter: rubio says he's focused on florida. but that is on march 15th. on tuesday, there is voting in four states, including michigan, where trump has a commanding lead. >> tom llamas, thank you. now to the democrats tonight, the showdown between hillary clinton and bernie sanders. their debate this evening in michigan. a new poll showing clinton with a commanding lead. 57% to 40%. both coming off a big win this weekend, setting their sights on donald trump. here's david wright. >> reporter: tonight, the backdrop for this democratic debate is a city ravaged by neglect and unintended consequences. the tap water poisoned. >> what is more important than the health and well-being of the people, particularly children? it's raining lead in flint. >> reporter: the automotive jobs long gone, with free trade partly to blame. >> i'm not going to say it is

the only problem that detroit or flint has, but it is a significant part of the decline. >> reporter: polls show hillary clinton has a significant lead here over bernie sanders, putting him under serious pressure. this weekend sanders won three out of four democratic contested. but clinton netted more pledged delegates than he did, because she beat him so badly in the one state she did win, louisiana. >> at the end of the day, i will trust the people to create a government that works for them, rather than wall street or corporate america. >> reporter: for sanders especially, a lot riding tonight. the big question -- can he pull out a surprise victory here in michigan? >> david, thank you. still much more ahead on "world news tonight" this sunday. the deadly storms. this cliff crumbling. battered by heavy rain and rough surf. and we're told it is not over yet. also ahead, breaking news,

crews at this nuclear power plant trying to get the fire under control. communities put on alert this sunday. and we continue remembering nancy reagan. the reagans waving as they return to the white house in '87. what she once told diane sawyer about a promise from billy graham about when she would reunite with her husband. ya know, viagra helps guys with erectile dysfunction get and keep an erection. talk to your doctor about viagra. ask your doctor if your heart is healthy enough for sex. do not take viagra if you take nitrates for chest pain or adempas® for pulmonary hypertension. your blood pressure could drop to an unsafe level. to avoid long-term injury, seek immediate medical help for an erection lasting more than four hours. stop taking viagra and call your doctor right away if you experience a sudden decrease or loss in vision or hearing. ask your doctor about viagra. ugh! heartburn! no one burns on my watch!

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next tonight, the deadly storms in the west. a new round on the way at this hour. this cliff wall in pacifica, california crumbling away, battered by rain and rough surf. emergency teams in los angeles, rescuing people trapped in rushing waters. aditi roy on the scene in california tonight. >> reporter: tonight, california getting pummeled by round two of extreme weather this weekend -- fueled by el nino. the storms triggering deadly floods and forcing water rescues. near sacramento, one woman died after her car got stuck trying to drive through floodwaters. >> jack, this is mimi. i'm out in front of the house. >> reporter: some homeowners barricaded by waterlogged roads, downed trees, and power lines. >> we can't access our cars. it's a pretty big mess. >> reporter: in pacifica, near san francisco, massive waves battering the shore. neighbors nervously watching this partially-demolished apartment building that has been dangling from a cliff for weeks.

residents here already evacuated. >> it's hanging on by a thread. >> reporter: construction crews are supposed to finish taking down that apartment building on tuesday. but those powerful, churning waves are chewing through the shore. with the next storm system moving in, it's a race against time. david? >> thank you. when we come back, the loss of an internet giant, the man that created e-mail. also, a scare at this nuclear power plant, a fire. sending huge clouds of smoke into the air. communities put on alert this sunday. and peyton manning, making a decision about his future. we'll be right back.

to the "index" of other news tonight. starting with a nuclear power plant fire, officials keeping an eye on the station in south carolina where a fire broke out. a huge cloud of dark smoke seen for miles. they say at this point it's not a threat to the community, but residents have been put on alert.

a loss tonight, someone who invented something we all use. ray tomlinson, who invented the modern e-mail system. he was 74. and quarterback peyton manning, the broncos saying he's retiring after his 18-year career, after leading them to a big super bowl win last month. he's set to make the official announcement tomorrow. when we come back, we continue to remember nancy reagan. what he once told diane sawyer, what billy graham told her about reuniting with ronnie. ngestion. no other nasal allergy spray can say that. when we breathe in allergens our bodies react by over producing six key inflammatory substances that cause our symptoms. most allergy pills only control one substance. flonase controls six.

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oic, a different type of constipation. i'm really struggling to find relief... paint a different picture. talk to your doctor about oic and prescription treatment options. finally tonight here, the reagans. dhar their love story began long before the white house. this evening, a look back at the enduring love affair that began between two young actors in hollywood and lasted for 52 years. here's john donvan. >> reporter: they were both performers, of course. from the soundstage to the world stage that is politics. but this part, what they had between them, that was authentic. no one doubted that it was as real as love can be. the term of endearment he gave her, he called her "mommy," while he was "ronnie." it belied a passion, a loyalty, and a bond that kept them together half a century. from a letter ronald wrote nancy during his time as california governor, he would, he said, "be totally lost and desolate without you. you should know this and be aware of how essential you are

in this man's life." it went the other way of course. reagan biographer bob colacello. >> nancy loved ronald reagan, i mean, with her whole being. it was a romantic relationship that worked on every level. >> reporter: and so we saw that last kiss. and we know about the visits to the gravesite. and we know what dream she held close. what she told diane sawyer the reverend billy graham told her. >> i just want you to tell me that when i go, that ronnie's going to be there waiting for me. and he said, "oh, yes. absolutely, nancy." >> you're sure? >> billy says so. >> reporter: so surely it seemed real. though of course we glimpsed it. something that true is hard to hide. john donvan, abc news, washington. much more on nancy reagan on "gma." i'm km david muir.

i hope to see you tomorrow night. until then, go next, a stormy night across the bay area with strong winds, rain, flooding, and even a little hail. the storm comes as some communities are still cleaning up from last night's weather. >> reaction from the bay area to the passing of a popular former first lady. abc7~news at 6:00 starts now. the wait is over. the storm is arriving. right now live doppler 7hd showing masses of green pushing down on the bay area from the north. it's expected to bring heavy rain and powerful winds. thanks for joining us, i'm eric thomas. the storm has reached the north bay. a downpour soaked novato, showing us what is to come in sonoma county, the marble size

beads of ice pelted a car this afternoon. the storm is moving through the north bay. a live look at the golden gate bridge shows the roadway slick with rain, and our emeryville cam shows heavy, dark clouds, bunched up over the bay. for a look at what to expect where you live, let's check in with meteorologist drew tuma. >> self -- several hours of stormy weather to get through. we're just beginning to see the initial band of rain move onshore. novato, light showers. street level, the pops of green, right rain. it's damp in this year. we have overcast scares san jose, but the nevertheless several hours the rain will fill in, and the south bay will see heavier showers. right now the winds are picking up, gusting to 24 miles-per-hour in concord, 20 in oakland.