TEXAS  — Cecile Richards, the longtime president of Planned Parenthood and daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, has died following a battle with brain cancer, her family announced on Monday. 

She was 67.

What You Need To Know

  • Longtime Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards has died at age 67, her family announced Monday

  • At the beginning of 2024, Richards announced she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer

  • She was the daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2024

  • Richards ran Planned Parenthood for 12 years before she stepped down in 2018. She was heavily involved in both Texas and national politics

Richards received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2024.

Richards ran Planned Parenthood for 12 years before she stepped down in 2018. She was heavily involved in both Texas and national politics, serving as Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff and founding multiple nonprofits and political action groups aimed at promoting progressive issues. 

At the beginning of 2024, Richards announced she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. It is the same cancer that killed President Joe Biden’s son Beau and his friend, former Arizona Sen. John McCain.

When Richards announced her diagnosis, she said it made clear to her what’s important in life.

“And there is no more important work right now than the fight for abortion rights,” Richards said in a post on Instagram. 

Richards went on to say that she felt lucky to be doing the work to fight for abortion access.

“I believe, as I always have, that activism, organizing, and troublemaking are a great way to spend your one wild and precious life,” Richards said. “After all, as my mother used to say: ‘Why should your life be just about you?’”

President Joe Biden issued the following statement about Ricards on Monday: 

"Jill and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cecile Richards. Cecile fearlessly led us forward to be the America we say we are. Carrying her mom’s torch for justice, she championed some of our Nation's most important civil rights causes.

"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. She was a leader of utmost character and I know that her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

"Jill and I are sending our love and strength to her husband Kirk, her children Daniel, Hannah, and Lily, her grandson Teddy, and the entire Richards family."