This article is about the American politician/teacher, for the Australian-American actress, see Ann Richards (actress). For the American jazz singer, see Ann Richards (singer).

Dorothy Ann Willis Richards (September 1, 1933 - September 13, 2006) was an American politician from Texas. She first came to national attention as the Texas state treasurer, when she delivered the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention. Richards served as Governor of Texas from 1991 to 1995 and was defeated for re-election in 1994 by George W. Bush. Born during the start of the Depression in rural Texas, she died in Austin from esophageal cancer at the age of 73.

Ann Richards (December 13 1917 – August 25 2006) was an Australian-American actress.

Born Shirley Ann Richards in Sydney, Australia and educated at Ascham School Edgecliff, Richards began her career as a lead actress in several successful Australian productions, including Ken Hall's Dad and Dave Come to Town (1938).

She moved to the United States in 1942 and was quickly signed to a contract with MGM. After a number of supporting roles, including Random Harvest with Ronald Colman and Greer Garson. She was publicized as the next great leading lady. The role which was supposed to break her into the mainstream, as Victoria Morland (playing opposite Joseph Cotton in Love Letters), was taken from her when Jennifer Jones signed on for the picture, while she was relegated to another supporting role. She also starred in The Searching Wind with Robert Young in 1946. After being dropped from MGM, Richards finished out her career with supporting roles in B-movies, such as the Barbara Stanwyck vehicle Sorry, Wrong Number in 1948.

After the unsuccessful film noir outing Breakdown (1952), Richards retired from acting. She had married Breakdown producer-director Edmond Angelo in 1949, and together they raised three children. She also wrote the verse play Helen of Troy in the 1970's. which she and her husband, producer-director Edmond Angelo, presented on college campuses.

They remained married until Angelo's death in 1983. After her retirement, Richards ventured into poetry, publishing several well-received volumes including The Grieving Senses in 1971 and Odyssey for Edmond in 1991.

Ann Richards (October 1, 1935 - April 1, 1982) was an American jazz singer. She was born Margaret Ann Borden on October 1, 1935 in San Diego, California. Richards, who began taking singing lessons at ten and was self-taught on the piano, appeared on the West Coast music scene in 1954. She had a short stint with Charlie Barnet's band, and was later brought to the attention of Stan Kenton by songwriter Eddie Beal. Richards was with Kenton's band for a few months in 1955, and the two were married. All Music Guide Biography blank">http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gifqxq85ldae The admiring Kenton helped her secure a contract with _Capitol Records. She was paired with conductor Brian Farnon and arranger Warren Baker for her debut album, 1958's I'm Shooting High. A duet album with Kenton, Two Much, was released in 1961. Kenton and Richards had two children, Dana and Lance, but separated in 1961. Richards created scandal when she posed for the June 1961 issue of Playboy, subsequently signing a contract with the low-end label Atco Records. The cover of her 1961 album Ann, Man! was taken from the shoot. Richards committed suicide on April 1, 1982 in Hollywood, California, dying at age 46 from a gunshot wound.

Blond-haired leading lady in Australian motion pictures of the late 30s. Moved to Hollywood in the early 40s, where she appeared in only 10 films before retiring ca. 1952.

At the 1988 Democratic Convention she stole the show with her satirical shots at George Bush, who was running for president. "Poor George. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth," she said during her speech.

Governor of Texas (1991-95).

Defeated in her bid for re-election by George W. Bush.

In 1980 she went public with her alcoholism, admitting that it had contributed to the end of her 30-year marriage. She credited Alcoholics Anonymous with helping her get sober.

Her daughter Cecile is president of Planned Parenthood Federation.

Launched her political career in her 40s, after marrying and having four children. First won a seat on the Travis County Commission in Austin in 1976. Was Texas state treasurer in the 1980s.