Planned Parenthood leader dies at 67 from cancer


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Cecile Richards, who served as the long-standing president of Planned Parenthood, has passed away at the age of 67 following a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer, her family announced on Monday.

In their statement, the family shared that Richards died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones and her faithful companion, her dog Ollie. They expressed their profound grief while acknowledging the immense joy she brought to their lives. The statement also extended gratitude to the medical professionals who provided care during her illness and acknowledged the support of friends and well-wishers throughout her health challenges.

Richards, who led Planned Parenthood for 12 years, transformed the organization into America’s primary abortion provider. During her tenure, she consistently opposed pro-life initiatives and advocated for unrestricted abortion access throughout pregnancy, including fighting against restrictions on partial-birth procedures.

Her leadership period was marked by controversy, particularly when the organization faced accusations of profiting from the sale of fetal tissue, leading to extensive congressional probes and public scrutiny.

Her personal experience with abortion shaped her advocacy work. In 2014, she publicly shared, “I had an abortion. It was the right decision for me and my husband, and it wasn’t a difficult decision.”

Shortly before her death, President Joe Biden bestowed upon Richards the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian recognition in the nation. During the ceremony, Biden praised her as “a leader of utmost character,” noting that her legacy would continue through her family and the lives she influenced, as well as through the nation’s ongoing pursuit of equality, justice, and freedom.

Her passing marks the end of an era that saw millions of pregnancies terminated under her organizational leadership.