Dorothy Ann Willis Richards (September 1, 1933 – September 13, 2006) was an American politician and the 45th Governor of Texas. She first obtained national attention as the state treasurer of Texas, when she delivered the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Richards served as the 45th Governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995 and was defeated for re-election in 1994 by George W. Bush. Ann Richards was the second woman governor of Texas.
Richards was born on September 1, 1933 in Lakeview, Texas. Richards was raised in Austin, Texas. She studied at Baylor University. Richards was married to David Richards from 1953 until they divorced in 1984. They have four children, including former President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards.
Richards died on September 13, 2006 just 12 days after her 73rd birthday from esophageal cancer in Austin, Texas, aged 73.