Cecile Richards (1957-2025) Photo courtesy of Wikicommons images, Lorie Shaull, CC-BY-SA-2.0
Cecile Richards, abortion activist and long-time president of Planned Parenthood has passed away from incurable brain cancer.
NBC News is reporting that Cecile Richards passed away this morning after a battle with brain cancer. The eldest daughter of former Texas Governor Ann Richards, she was diagnosed in 2023 with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
“This morning our beloved Cecile passed away at home, surrounded by her family and her ever-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 health care workers who provided her excellent care and the friends, family, and well-wishers who have been by her side during this challenging time,” the family said.
Richards served as president of Planned Parenthood for 12 years during which time more than four million babies were aborted. A life-long activist of “reproductive rights,” Richards was active in the fight for abortion to the very end. She spoke at the Democratic National Convention on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris this past August, saying “when women are free to make their own decisions about their lives and to follow our dreams, we are unstoppable.”
The response from pro-life groups has been swift and prayerful.
Writing on X this morning, Lila Rose, founder and president of the pro life organization, Live Action, said: “During her 12 years overseeing Planned Parenthood, she presided over the abortion of nearly 4 million babies. May the Lord, in His perfect justice and infinite mercy, rest her soul. And may He have mercy on all of us and our nation.”
Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, who was sued by Planned Parenthood for $18 million dollars, said he chooses to forgive her.
“My faith calls me to extend grace even to those who persecuted me. I pray she came to know Jesus Christ as her Savior and that her soul finds rest. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
While mourn her passing, Newman called on Christians to continue to fight the injustice toward unborn children. “The exploitation and destruction of innocent human life are evils that must end. Let this serve as a renewed call to action to defend the dignity of every life and to fight for a world where such atrocities are no longer tolerated.”
The prolife community on social media was also prayerful with many hoping she had a deathbed conversion. Others simply offered prayers for the woman as she faced the ultimate moment of justice.
“There is no court or law of this land that could possibly do her justice,” one user wrote on X, “so the most charitable thing I can say is that she is now before the Ultimate Judge, and may he show her the mercy that she never gave to his most innocent creations.”
May the Lord have mercy on her soul.
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