Donald Regan

United States official

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July 21, 2026

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Donald Regan served as the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President Ronald Reagan during his first term (1981-1985) and later as White House Chief of Staff during Reagan's second term (1985-1987). The role of Chief of Staff is one of the most demanding in the White House, involving advising the president, managing staff, and controlling access to the president. Regan's tenure as Chief of Staff was marked by significant challenges, including a strained relationship with First Lady Nancy Reagan and his involvement in the Iran-Contra affair, which ultimately led to his resignation. His hands-off leadership style as president was noted, with some key administrative decisions being made by his close advisors.123

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Nancy Reagan
First lady
…of former staff members, including Donald Regan, the president’s chief of staff, who publicly blamed her for his firing in 1987. Regan also claimed that Nancy Reagan insisted that the president’s schedule take into account her astrologer’s predictions and warnings. In her memoirs, she admitted having access to her husband—“For…
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…of former staff members, including Donald Regan, the president’s chief of staff, who publicly blamed her for his firing in 1987. Regan also claimed that Nancy Reagan insisted that the president’s schedule take into account her astrologer’s predictions and warnings. In her memoirs, she admitted having access to her husband—“For…
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Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
In the 1970s, under Chairman Donald T. Regan (later treasury secretary under President Ronald Reagan), the firm moved aggressively into such other financial services as insurance and established the country’s largest money-market mutual fund. The holding company was created in 1973. Under Merrill Lynch International, it has several international operations,…
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In the 1970s, under Chairman Donald T. Regan (later treasury secretary under President Ronald Reagan), the firm moved aggressively into such other financial services as insurance and established the country’s largest money-market mutual fund. The holding company was created in 1973. Under Merrill Lynch International, it has several international operations,…
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White House Chief of Staff
The evolution of the role
…his second term Reagan chose Donald Regan, who took a more corporate approach to management, making him one of the most powerful people in the White House. Unfortunately for Regan, however, one of the other power brokers was the president’s wife, Nancy Reagan, and, as The New York Times noted…
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…his second term Reagan chose Donald Regan, who took a more corporate approach to management, making him one of the most powerful people in the White House. Unfortunately for Regan, however, one of the other power brokers was the president’s wife, Nancy Reagan, and, as The New York Times noted…
Read More