Cecile Richards, a women’s rights activist and former president of Planned Parenthood, has died at age 67, her family said.
“This morning our beloved Cecile passed away at home, surrounded by her family and her always loyal dog, Ollie. “Our hearts are broken today, but no words can do justice to the joy she brought to our lives,” her family said in a statement shared Monday with NBC News.
“We are grateful to the doctors and healthcare workers who provided him with excellent care and to the friends, family and supporters who have been by his side during this difficult time,” the family said.
He was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2023, he revealed to The Cut last year.
The family told those who would like to celebrate Richards’ memory: “We invite you to play New Orleans jazz and gather with friends and family for a good meal.”
The family ended with a quote from Richards to remember: “It’s not hard to imagine future generations one day asking, ‘When so much was at stake for our country, what did you do?’ The only acceptable answer is: ‘As much as we can.'”
She served as president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund from 2006 to 2018 and leaves a legacy of aggressive advocacy for abortion rights.
