“I’m the one who knows him best, and I was the only person in the White House who had absolutely no agenda of her own — except helping him.”

— Nancy Reagan , book My Turn

Source: My Turn (1989), Ch. 4 : First Lady, Dragon Lady
Context: I was not the power behind the throne.
Did I ever give Ronnie advice? You bet I did. I’m the one who knows him best, and I was the only person in the White House who had absolutely no agenda of her own — except helping him.
And so I make no apologies for telling him what I thought. Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you have no right to express your opinions. For eight years I was sleeping with the president, and if that doesn’t give you special access, I don’t know what does!
So yes, I gave Ronnie my best advice — whenever he asked for it, and sometimes when he didn’t. But that doesn’t mean he always took it. Ronald Reagan has a mind of his own.

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actress and first lady of the United States 1921–2016

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“I’m the one who knows him best, and I was the only person in the White House who had absolutely no agenda of her own — except helping him.”

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