Key date and summary
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, died on June 5, 2004. He passed away at his home in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, at age 93. The immediate cause of death was pneumonia, compounded by Alzheimer’s disease, which had been diagnosed years earlier. This brief status note clarifies the facts for queries seeking a reliable, concise answer about when his life ended.
Context on the announcement
News of Reagan’s death was announced by his office and reported widely on June 5, 2004. A brief timeline helps anchor the status:
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| June 5, 2004 | Date of death | End of life at age 93; widely reported |
| 1994 | Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease | Long-term condition that preceded his final years |
| 1981 | Survived assassination attempt | Major event during his presidency that affected public perception of his health |
| 1989–2004 | Post-presidency period | Years marked by public appearances and privacy amid health changes |
Immediate cause and contributing factors
Official statements noted pneumonia as the immediate cause of death. In his later years, Reagan had been frail and largely confined to his home, with Alzheimer’s disease representing the central, chronic health condition. Understanding these medical details provides clarity rather than sensationalism, distinguishing proximate causes from long-term health decline.
National response and legacy context
Reagan’s death prompted national memorials, flag orders, and reflections on his presidency. While this status overview does not assess policy impact, it notes that the date of death is consistently recorded as June 5, 2004, across official and reputable sources. Context matters: the long arc of his public life informs how his final status is remembered.
Common points of confusion clarified
Some conflate his near-fatal 1981 shooting with the circumstances of his 2004 death. Others question the role of Alzheimer’s alongside pneumonia. Clarifying these points reduces noise:
- The 1981 attempt did not directly cause death in 2004.
- Pneumonia was listed as the immediate cause; Alzheimer’s as a contributing background condition.
- Date of death is well verified and not subject to conflicting records among authoritative sources.
Reliable sourcing and verification
Key details are drawn from reputable news archives and official statements issued in 2004. The core attributes below summarize what is verified:
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of death | June 5, 2004 | Official statement, major news |
| Location | Bel Air, Los Angeles, California | News reports, office release |
| Age | 93 years | Obituary data, biographies |
| Immediate cause | Pneumonia | Medical certification, news |
| Underlying condition | Alzheimer’s disease | Physician statements, records |
Distinguishing facts from speculation
Status queries benefit from clarity: the date is fixed, causes are documented, and broad consensus exists. Speculation about alternate timelines lacks evidentiary support. Readers seeking durable facts can rely on the consensus across official channels and mainstream archives, updated here for lasting reference rather than momentary news cycles.
Why this information remains useful
Knowing precisely when Ronald Reagan died matters for historical research, citations, and public understanding of presidential timelines. The surrounding context—age, location, causes—anchors the event in verifiable record. This explanation is designed to stay relevant, avoiding fleeting commentary in favor of clear, sourced detail.
Closing note
To answer the core question succinctly: Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004. The broader context reinforces that this date is well attested and unlikely to change, supported by official documentation and extensive media reporting at the time.
