Planned Parenthood President and Activist Dies at 67

Cecile Richards, a trailblazer in the fight for reproductive freedom and the former president of Planned Parenthood, passed away Monday at age 67. Richards succumbed to glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer she had battled since 2023, her family confirmed.

“This morning, our beloved Cecile passed away at home, surrounded by her family and her ever-loyal dog, Ollie,” her husband Kirk Adams and their three children shared in a heartfelt statement. “Our hearts are broken, but no words can fully capture the joy and love she brought into our lives.”

Her family encouraged those mourning Richards to carry forward her life’s mission. “She often reminded us, ‘When there’s so much at stake for our country, the only acceptable answer is: We did everything we could,’” the statement read.

Born in Waco, Texas, Cecile Richards grew up steeped in the values of public service and activism. Her mother, former Texas Governor Ann Richards, was a pioneering political figure, and Cecile carried forward that torch with relentless determination.

Richards led Planned Parenthood from 2006 to 2018, navigating the organization through some of the most contentious battles over women’s health in modern history. She became a lightning rod for both criticism and admiration, defending abortion rights and healthcare access against mounting political opposition.

Her tenure coincided with increasing political polarization over reproductive rights, culminating in a direct clash with then-President-elect Donald Trump. Richards publicly opposed his administration’s efforts to dismantle Roe v. Wade and vowed to protect Planned Parenthood’s services. Under her leadership, the organization expanded access to healthcare for millions of women across the country.

“Cecile was an indomitable force,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, Planned Parenthood’s current president. “She lifted this organization to new heights and built a movement that will carry us through the challenges ahead. Her legacy inspires us to fight harder than ever for reproductive freedom.”

After stepping down, Richards co-founded Supermajority, a political action group focused on mobilizing women as a powerful voting bloc. Partnering with leaders like Alicia Garza of Black Lives Matter and Ai-jen Poo of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Richards worked tirelessly to empower women to shape the nation’s political landscape.

In one of her last public appearances, Richards addressed the Democratic National Convention in August 2024. “The fight for justice never ends,” she told the audience, “but neither does our resolve.”

President Joe Biden mourned her passing, calling Richards “a leader of utmost character.” In a statement, he praised her commitment to equality and justice: “Cecile carried forward her mother’s torch and illuminated paths for countless others. Her work changed lives and made our nation more just.”

Richards’ impact was widely recognized during her lifetime. TIME named her among its 100 Most Influential People in 2012, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2024 for her lifelong commitment to civil rights.

Richards revealed her cancer diagnosis in a January 2024 interview with The Cut, reflecting on her health and legacy. “I’ve felt lucky all my life, and I feel lucky now: to be here, doing this work, alongside all of you,” she wrote in a social media post.

Her resilience inspired those around her. “Even in her final year, she remained a fighter,” said friend and colleague Ai-jen Poo. “Cecile believed in the power of people to make change. She lived that belief every single day.”

Richards’ family has asked that those wishing to honor her memory support organizations dedicated to reproductive rights and social justice.

“Suit up—preferably in pink—link arms, and fight like hell,” Richards once said. Her words echo a call to action for future generations to carry on her life’s work.