Ann Richards
Born 1933 · Age 92
Dorothy Ann Willis "Ann" Richards (Sept 1, 1933 – Sept 13, 2006) was an American Democratic politician who served as Texas State Treasurer (1983–1991) and as the 45th Governor of Texas (1991–1995). She gained national prominence as keynote speaker at the 1988 Democratic National Convention and was known for championing women and minorities in government, education reform, and prison reform.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born Dorothy Ann Willis (Lacy-Lakeview, Texas)
Born in Lakeview (now Lacy-Lakeview), McLennan County, Texas, to Robert Cecil Willis and Mildred Iona Warren.
Family returns to Texas; drops first name 'Dorothy'
Family moved back to Waco at the start of her high-school years; she began going by her middle name, Ann.
Graduated Waco High School; debate champion
Was state debate champion as a senior; participated in Girls State and served as Texas delegate to Girls Nation, sparking interest in politics.
Began volunteering on Democratic campaigns (1950s)
Began long career as a political organizer and volunteer — worked on Ralph Yarborough's gubernatorial campaigns and later his senate campaign, among others.
Married David Richards
Married high-school classmate David Richards while attending Baylor University.
Graduated Baylor University (B.A.)
Completed undergraduate degree at Baylor University on a debate scholarship.
Taught at Fulmore Junior High School (Austin)
Taught social studies and history at Fulmore Junior High (later Lively Middle School); reported teaching there in mid-1950s (approx. 1954–1957).
Earned teaching certificate (University of Texas)
Received teaching certificate from the University of Texas at Austin and began teaching in Austin public schools.
Birth of daughter Cecile Richards
Cecile Richards (later president of Planned Parenthood) was born July 15, 1957.
Family returned to Austin permanently
After years living in other cities (including Washington, D.C. and Dallas), the Richards family settled in Austin in 1969 where Ann became active locally.
Managed Sarah Weddington's state assembly campaign
Managed the successful 1972 state legislative campaign of Sarah Weddington, who later argued Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court.
Assisted Wilhelmina Delco's legislative campaign
Worked on the 1974 campaign of Wilhelmina Delco, who became the first African American to represent Austin in the Texas Legislature.
Elected Travis County Commissioner
With her husband's encouragement, Ann Richards ran for and won a seat on the Travis County Commissioners' Court in 1976—the start of her elected office career.
Sought and completed treatment for alcoholism
Following struggles with alcohol, Richards sought and completed treatment in 1980; she later publicly acknowledged and overcame the issue.
Re-elected Travis County Commissioner
Won a second term as Travis County commissioner (served through 1982 when she ran for state office).
Elected Texas State Treasurer
Won the Democratic nomination and general election for Texas State Treasurer (first woman elected statewide in Texas since 1932).
Took office as Texas State Treasurer
Assumed office as Texas State Treasurer (official term began Jan 18, 1983); initiated modernization of Treasury operations.
Inducted into Texas Women's Hall of Fame
Ann Richards was honored by the Texas Women's Hall of Fame for public service (listed among honorees in 1985 lists).
Re-elected Texas State Treasurer (unopposed)
Re-elected in 1986 without opposition, continuing reforms in the Treasury department.
Keynote speaker, 1988 Democratic National Convention
Delivered the keynote address in Atlanta; speech brought national prominence (notable lines about George H.W. Bush and women in politics).
Published autobiography 'Straight from the Heart'
Co-authored Straight from the Heart: My Life in Politics and Other Places with Peter Knobler (1989), increasing her national profile.
Elected Governor of Texas
Won the 1990 Texas gubernatorial election defeating Republican Clayton Williams; votes: Ann Richards 1,925,670 (49.47%).
Published 'Texas Music Industry Directory'
Released the first Texas Music Industry Directory as part of efforts to elevate film and music industries in Texas.
Inaugurated as 45th Governor of Texas
Sworn in as Governor on January 15, 1991; emphasized education, government openness, and appointments of women/minorities.
Held statewide 'school assembly' to prioritize education
Met with students and teachers on Jan 19, 1991 to hear directly about educational needs and began pushing site-based management reforms.
Robin Hood school finance plan launched (biennium 1992–1993)
State-level school finance changes (the Robin Hood plan) were implemented to redistribute funds to poorer school districts during Richards' administration.
Permanent Chair, 1992 Democratic National Convention
Served as the permanent chair of the 1992 Democratic National Convention, a national party leadership role.
Prison population (1992) benchmark
Prison population in Texas was reported at less than 60,000 in 1992; Richards pursued prison reforms and substance-abuse programs.
Bought first Texas Lottery scratch-off ticket
On May 29, 1992, Richards purchased the first scratch-off lottery ticket in Oak Hill, Texas, marking the lottery's institution in the state.
Signed re-codified Texas Penal Code (includes Section 21.06)
Signed into law the re-codified Texas Penal Code in 1993, which included the 'Homosexual Conduct' Section 21.06 — a controversial piece of legislation.
Prison population (1994) milestone
By 1994 Texas prison population exceeded 80,000, reflecting rising incarceration during her term.
Defeated for re-election by George W. Bush
Lost the 1994 gubernatorial election to George W. Bush; Richards received 2,016,928 votes (45.88%).
Began senior-advisor role at Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson & Hand
Worked as a senior advisor with the Washington, D.C.–based law firm (approx. 1995–2001).
Appeared in Doritos commercials with Mario Cuomo
Soon after leaving office, Richards and former governor Mario Cuomo appeared in humorous Doritos commercials (1995 era).
Joined boards: Aspen Institute, JCPenney, T.I.G. Holdings (approx.)
Served on multiple corporate and nonprofit boards after leaving office (dates vary; active in mid-late 1990s and 2000s).
Left governor's office
Term as Governor ended in January 1995 (succeeded by George W. Bush); continued as public figure and consultant.
Interviewed in Ken Burns documentary 'The West'
Appeared in the Ken Burns series The West (1996) commenting on Texas and westward expansion (film appearance).
Diagnosed with osteoporosis
Diagnosed with osteoporosis after height loss and fractures; changed lifestyle and stabilized bone density; later co-authored a book about the experience.
Fred & Rita Richman Distinguished Visiting Professor at Brandeis
Served as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Politics at Brandeis University (1997–1998).
Elected trustee, Brandeis University
Elected to the Board of Trustees at Brandeis University in 1998; reelected in 2004 and served until her death.
Ann Richards Middle School inaugurated (Palmview, TX)
A middle school in Palmview, Texas was named and inaugurated in her honor (1999).
Moved to New York City (post-9/11)
Reportedly moved to New York City after the 9/11 attacks and spent her final five years with a residence there.
Became senior advisor to Public Strategies, Inc.
Joined Austin/New York communications firm Public Strategies as a senior advisor beginning in 2001 (split time Austin/New York).
Cameo appearance in King of the Hill
Made a cameo voice appearance in the animated TV series King of the Hill (Season 5 episode 'Hank and the Great Glass Elevator'), aired circa 2001.
Published 'I'm Not Slowing Down' (hardcover)
Co-authored I'm Not Slowing Down: Winning My Battle With Osteoporosis with Dr. Richard U. Levine (Hardcover published Aug 7, 2003).
Endorsed Howard Dean; campaigned for John Kerry
Remained active in national politics: endorsed Howard Dean in 2004 primary and campaigned for Democratic nominee John Kerry in the general election.
Voice cameo in Disney's 'Home on the Range'
Voiced a saloon owner named 'Annie' in the 2004 Disney animated film Home on the Range.
Re-elected as Brandeis University trustee
Reelected to Brandeis University's Board of Trustees (continued service until death).
Taught 'Women and Leadership' at University of Texas
Taught a semester-long class at UT Austin in fall 2005; selected 21 female students for the course.
Disclosed diagnosis of esophageal cancer
Announced in March 2006 that she had been diagnosed and was receiving treatment for esophageal cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Died in Austin, Texas
Died of complications of esophageal cancer at home in Austin on September 13, 2006; interred at the Texas State Cemetery.
Congress Avenue Bridge renamed in her honor
City of Austin officially renamed the Congress Avenue Bridge to Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge on Nov 16, 2006.
Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders opened (Austin)
The college-preparatory Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders opened Aug 27, 2007 — a school Richards helped create before her death.
Documentary 'Ann Richards' Texas' released
A documentary about Ann Richards' political life, 'Ann Richards' Texas,' was released in 2012 (posthumous legacy film).
HBO documentary 'All About Ann' released
HBO released the documentary 'All About Ann: Governor Richards of the Lone Star State' on April 28, 2014 (posthumous).
One-woman play 'Ann' broadcast on PBS Great Performances
Holland Taylor's stage portrayal of Ann Richards ('Ann') was broadcast on PBS Great Performances (recorded earlier; broadcast June 19, 2020).
Ann Richards School moved into new facility
The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders moved into a new facility in January 2021 (institutional legacy event).
Ann Richards School reached major enrollment milestone (legacy)
Ann Richards School grew to over 900 students (grades 6–12) as part of her educational legacy (reported in school materials in 2022–2024).
Key Achievement Ages
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