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 supporter. 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 these final months. 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.

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, helping her husband. death of her husband, saying her last good-bye before he was laid to rest. 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. 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

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 grave. on the 10th anniversary of his

wheelchair. >> matt is with us tonight, from california. nancy reagan will be buried there alongside her beloved husband? >> yes, and funeral preparations have already begun here. >> yes, 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. trusted advisor. a partnership that took them from hollywood to the white house. least one issue after her husband's death. above all, theirs was a love story -- ronnie and nancy. in the final words of his last

>> 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

nancy reagan famously brought her style and some hollywood flair to the white house. the legendary state dinners. president reagan cutting in on the first lady and frank sinatra. they were a team, she was fiercely protective. 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. 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. race reagan helped him come up with words. >> doing everything we can. >> reporter: reagan's former chief of staff revealing that she consulted an astrologist in making his schedule. her signature cause in the white

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 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 or origins. never fail to seek divine guidance, and never, never lose your natural god-given optimism. >> reporter: when the president died, mrs. reagan meticulously planned his funeral, stoic until this moment. years later, she championed stem cell research.

the forefront of politics. hosting presidential debates, greeting up and coming members of the party. 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. >> there was times she was fragile, but her mind was perfectly sound. >> you interviewed both the multiple times. you asked about their marriage. i want to show you what they said was the secret of their marriage. 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.

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's 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. 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 was politically helpful. she advised him, it wasn't just an attractive woman in the white house.

gut in the white house. and she was his fierce protector up until the end. >> towards the end, i did an interview, you could tell he was losing it. she answered the questions, she prompted him. she was very much a force for him. >> how will you remember her, barbara? >> i just remember her elegance, and the style 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, 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? >> their relationship actually got off to an awkward start,

first press conference seemed to dis her by mentioning her use of an astrologer, and called to apologize later. but they later found common cause. you see them linking arms after joining together to favor federal funding for stem cell research. it was a really big deal, for nancy reagan, because it was something at the time that most conservatives were adamantly opposed to. >> 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 was tireless. and from the bushes, george w. and his wife, her devotion to

her devotion for our country. so, some very warm words. >> 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 tuesday's michigan primary. and a new poll showing donald trump with 41%, and 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

and senator ted cruz saying she 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 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. 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.

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, in michigan, where trump has a commanding lead. >> tom llamas, thank you. now to the democrats tonight, the showdown between hillary clinton and bernie their debate this evening in flint, michigan. a new poll showing clinton with a commanding lead. both sominge ing 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. >> let's not forget there are lots of flints out there, places where poor people and people of color have been left out and left behind.

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 -- two out of three 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. >> i was really gratified by the results yesterday. we will net delegates and we're feeling good about the upcoming contests. >> 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.

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. and we continue remembering nancy reagan. 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!

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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. communities put on alert this sunday. and peyton manning, making a decision about his future. we'll be right back.nly pay three quarters of what it takes to replace it. what are you supposed to do? drive three quarters of a car? now if you had liberty mutual new car replacement, you'd get your whole car back. i guess they don't want you driving around on three wheels. smart. with liberty mutual new car replacement,

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my opioid pain medication is slowing my insides to a crawl. that's opioid-induced constipation, 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. 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 threat to the community, but residents have been put on alert. and news about the death of ray tomlinson, who invented e-mail. 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 announcement tomorrow. when we come back, we continue to remember nancy reagan. unless you have allergies. then your eyes may see it differently. only flonase is approved to relieve both itchy, watery eyes and congestion. 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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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. 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

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 coachella. >> 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 it surely seemed real. though of course we glimpsed it. something that true is hard to hide. john donvan, abc news,

much more on nancy reagan on

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