Regan, Donald Thomas

▪ 2004

      American businessman and politician (b. Dec. 21, 1918, Cambridge, Mass.—d. June 10, 2003, Williamsburg, Va.), was the innovative chairman of Merrill Lynch & Co. (1971–80) before becoming a top aide to Pres. Ronald Reagan, serving as treasury secretary (1981–85) and chief of staff (1985–87). Regan first attracted national attention after transforming Merrill Lynch from a brokerage firm into a full-service financial company, with activities in consulting, real estate, credit cards, and checking. After joining the Reagan administration, Regan came to wield great power and in 1986 helped implement a landmark tax reform. The Iran-Contra scandal and a growing feud with first lady Nancy Reagan, however, forced Regan out of office in 1987. His autobiography, For the Record: From Wall Street to Washington (1988), caused a furor over its allegations that Nancy Reagan consulted an astrologer on such presidential matters as trips and personal appearances.

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