Cecile Richards, Ex-President Of Planned Parenthood, Dies At 67
Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood, has died, her family announced in a post on social media Monday. She was 67.
“This morning our beloved Cecile passed away at home, surrounded by her family and her ever-loyal dog, Ollie,” the post reads. “Our hearts are broken today but no words can do justice to the joy she brought to our lives.”
Richards had been diagnosed with brain cancer in 2023.
Former President Joe Biden said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of her death.
“She fought for the dignity of workers, defended and advanced women’s reproductive rights and equality, and mobilized our fellow Americans to exercise their power to vote,” Biden said in a statement. “She was a leader of utmost character and I know that her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”
In November, Biden awarded Richards, a prominent advocate for abortion rights, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“Through her work to lift up the dignity of workers, defend and advance women’s reproductive rights and equality, and mobilize Americans to exercise their power to vote, she has carved an inspiring legacy,” Biden wrote on X, formerly Twitter, at the time.
Today, I had the honor of awarding Cecile Richards the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
With absolute courage, she fearlessly leads us forward to be the America we say we are – a nation of freedom.
Through her work to lift up the dignity of workers, defend and advance women’s… pic.twitter.com/IayCTAFK4N— President Biden (@POTUS) November 20, 2024
Richards delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago over the summer in support of former Vice President Kamala Harris. During her address, Richard spoke out against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, noting the adverse effects of the ruling on people across the country.
“One day our children and grandchildren may ask us, ‘When it was all on the line, what did you do?’” she said. “And the only acceptable answer is, ‘Everything we could.’”
Richards told The 19th she was excited she got the chance to cast her ballot for Harris this fall.
“It felt so powerful to vote for Kamala and to know that young women and men are getting to cast their first votes ever for Kamala,” Richards told the outlet.
Harris described Richards as “a fighter and a force to be reckoned with.”
“I have known Cecile for decades and have stood shoulder to shoulder with her in many battles,” Harris said in a statement. “What I know to be true is that in this moment, she would want us to honor her by rededicating ourselves to the fight for fundamental freedoms. Let us roll up our sleeves and make her proud.”
Richards departed Planned Parenthood in 2018 after 12 years at the organization. She went on to co-found a new organization, Supermajority, aimed at making women the most powerful voting bloc in the U.S.
Richards, the daughter of late former Texas Gov. Ann Richards (D), also served as a onetime deputy chief of staff to then-House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
Pelosi said it was a “privilege” to work with her.
“Politics and public service were in Cecile’s DNA as the daughter of the indomitable Ann Richards — and she will be remembered as a commanding leader in her own right, whose good works have improved countless lives all across the country,” Pelosi added.
Former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) also paid tribute to Richards on social media.
“Millions of women benefited from her courage and determination,” McCaskill wrote. “Cecile Richards made her mom proud.”
Richards is survived by her husband, Kirk, and her three children, Lily, Hannah and Daniel.