He was the man who captured some of the last moments on camera just before former President Ronald Reagan passed away.
After Nancy Reagan died of congestive heart failure on Sunday, presidential photographer Roger Sandler speaks about her legacy, and reveals never before seen photos.
"After he passed, I don't know how she survived," Sandler said. "She loved this man so much."
Sandler knew the Reagans in a way very few can claim: He was with them, documenting a personal history through intimate photographs, from the years before the White House, to life in Washington,
"When you go behind the scenes you hope not to be noticed, you get to see their real personality," Sandler said. "What you saw in public is pretty much what you got."
Sandler said some of his most important photos came from his last session with the Reagans, when in late 1998, Nancy asked him to join her and the former president for their last visit to church.
"In her words, it was the last time Ronnie would be able to leave the house," Sandler said. "And I photographer them together, taking a walk, and him individually. You can see in his face, that for the first time that I had ever covered him, that there was uncertainty, a bit of [fear] in his face."
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The love story between Ronnie and Nancy is well-documented, with Sandler providing some of the proof. He said Nancy was like a Hollywood studio exec with her husband, caring for his every need.
But during his battle with Alzheimer's, Sandler said he saw change in Nancy, too.
"I saw her personality shift a little bit. She had good days and bad days and in-between days. And sometimes to my eye and my ears, she started to mimic his Alzheimer's, not sure where to go next at public events, not sure at times what to say," Sandler said "And then on her good days, she was as sharp as ever."
A spokesperson from the Reagan Library said Sunday night that she and the former president worked out funeral plans together while they were still in the White House, and those plans were to be revealed at a later date.
