Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former US President Ronald Reagan, has died. He was 80 years old

Michael Reagan, President Ronald Reagan's eldest son and conservative commentator, has died at the age of 80, the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Presidential Institute announced Tuesday, saying he was “a staunch guardian of his father's legacy,” the Associated Press reports.

Michael Reagan, son of former US President Ronald Reagan PHOTO: X

“Michael Reagan lived a life shaped by conviction, purpose, and unwavering devotion to President Reagan's ideals”the Foundation declared.

The cause of his death was not announced.

Michael Reagan was a contributor to the conservative television network Newsmax and was known for his radio show “The Michael Reagan Show”.

He was born in 1945, the son of Irene Flaugher, and was adopted a few hours after birth by Ronald Reagan and his wife at the time, the actress Jane Wyman.

Young Reagan followed in his parents' footsteps. After studying at Arizona State University and Los Angeles Valley College, Reagan took up acting, created his own radio show, and wrote several books, including two about his personal journey, titled “On the Outside Looking in” (Looking from the outside) and “Twice Adopted” (Adopted twice), writes News.

Throughout his life, Reagan also devoted himself to several charities, raising funds in motorboat races and serving as chairman of the board of the John Douglas French Alzheimer Foundation for three years.

Ronald Reagan, known for trying to shrink the size of government and for dedicating his presidency to winning the Cold War, died in 2004 at the age of 93 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Michael Reagan promoted his father's ideas as chairman of the Reagan Legacy Foundation.

Michael Reagan was married to Colleen Stearns, with whom he had two children, this being his second marriage.