Ronald Reagan
U.S. President Ronald Reagan suffered from a number of age-related ailments; however, the one of the greatest concern was not diagnosed until after his presidency came to an end. Just a few years after Reagan’s term, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and one of his sons and some political scholars believe he began to show signs of the disease while in office.
The early signs of Alzheimer’s disease can be relatively mild, and in an environment with good supports, particularly a high-stress environment, could be overlooked. While there’s no clear answer as to whether or not Reagan had Alzheimer’s, other health issues are much more well-known and acknowledged.
During his presidency, Reagan experienced several severe health issues. The first of these, of course, was a 1981 assassination attempt, in which he was shot in the chest and experienced a collapsed lung and severe blood loss. Those close to him reported that his full recovery required a number of months; however, the impression was given that his injuries were less severe and his recovery faster.
In 1985, Reagan had surgery for colon cancer, and presidential duties were transferred to the vice president for less than eight hours. While the surgery was publicly acknowledged, the word cancer was wholly avoided. In addition, Reagan underwent regular checks for his colon, as well as surgery for an enlarged prostate while in office.
Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1994 and died of pneumonia in 2004.