Former Texas Governor Ann Richards has died.

[Douva 0]

-- Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, a nationally known Democrat who lost the '94 gubernatorial race to George W. Bush, has died at 73.

EDITED TO ADD:

Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, 73, dies

(CNN) -- Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, whose brassy, tough-talking persona and trademark white hair cut an indelible profile in Democratic politics, died Wednesday evening at her home in Austin, surrounded by her family, her spokesman, Bill Maddox said.

She was 73.

Richards, who served as governor of the Lone Star State from 1991 to 1995, announced in March that she was being treated for esophageal cancer. Maddox said Richards had shielded many family members and friends from the extent of her illness.

"It was a shock to a lot of us," he said.

Cecile Richards, the former governor's daughter, announced her death in a note sent to friends at 7:50 p.m. (8:50 p.m. ET), Maddox said.

The quick-witted Richards burst onto the national scene with rhetorical guns blazing at the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, where, in a keynote address, she famously described the syntax-challenged Republican presidential nominee, George H.W. Bush, this way:

"Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

At the time, Richards was Texas state treasurer; two years later, she would be elected governor, only the second woman ever to hold that post.

But Texas was trending Republican and, in 1994, despite her personal popularity, she was defeated for re-election by Bush's son, and future president, George W. Bush. She never ran for office again and spent the next years working as a consultant and commentator and serving on corporate boards. (Watch how Richards took the national stage -- 4:04)

Though Richards had long been active in Democratic politics, she didn't launch her own political career until she was in her 40s, after marrying and having four children. Her first stop was a seat on the Travis County Commission in Austin, which she won in 1976.

However, years of hard drinking had taken a toll on her marriage, which ended in divorce. In 1980, she quit drinking, but she never shied away from talking about her problems with alcohol.

"I had such high expectations of myself. I was going to be the best mother, the best housewife, the best entertainer, the best nurse, you know -- what it was, I was going to be the best. And I could never live up to my expectations," she said.

Her persona was always unconventional. When she was nearly 60, a grandmother and governor of Texas, Richards took to riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle because, she said, "I thought I needed to do something kind of jazzy."

Another line she often quoted summed up her view of the aspirations of women in politics: "Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels."

CNN's Ed Lavandera contributed to this report.

I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

She was 73?! Wow...she looked good for her age and sure was spunky. What was the cause?

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[BillyVance 35]

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She was 73?! Wow...she looked good for her age and sure was spunky. What was the cause?

Are you kidding me??? I thought she looked like 85! Well at least in her final years anyway... Years of drinking and smoking will do that, even though she stopped some years back.

She had esophageal (sp?) cancer...

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[JohnMitchell 16]

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"Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

Losing a lady like that is a real loss. The Lone Star flag will be at half mast tomorrow. So long, Ann.

[Lindercles 0]

Well, it's a good thing we just got a new flag for my building, as it will probably be at half mast tomorrow.

[noblesmelissa 0]

Wow! I knew she was diagnosed with cancer a while back...she used to come into the restaurant I work all the time! Saw her just last month...she looked pretty healthy to me.

Crazy.

[JohnRich 4]

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"Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

Poor George defeated Ann for re-election, because Ann vetoed concealed handgun legislation. George Bush promised to sign such legislation, and did.

And the rest is history.

[goodnplentygirl 0]

Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!
That is very sad...

my body, my choice

[ImGunnaJump 0]

I loved it when she said that George W. Bush "was born on third base but acts like he hit a triple".

She was a very entertaining and tough lady.

"...I've learned that while the "needs" in life are important (food, water, shelter), it's the "wants" in life (ice cream, chocolate, sex) that make it worth the effort." Kbordson

[tbrown 26]

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"Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

Poor George defeated Ann for re-election, because Ann vetoed concealed handgun legislation. George Bush promised to sign such legislation, and did.

And the rest is history.

That was the father she was talking about, at the 1988 Democratic Convention. A shame to lose such a gutsy lady.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[JohnMitchell 16]

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Poor George defeated Ann for re-election, because Ann vetoed concealed handgun legislation. George Bush promised to sign such legislation, and did.

Well, the AP story I read this morning said that Richards supported the right for Texans to carry "concealed pistols, automatic weapons, and cop-killer bullets." Pretty hyperbolic, considering you and I know the difference between an auto and a semi-auto, but it sounded like she was on the right side of gun control, not the wrong. I don't remember that race or the issues, though, and the AP could very well be very wrong, especially when it comes to firearms. Remember, in Texas, even the Democrats probably have a lot of guns.

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[moodyskydiver 0]

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Well, the AP story I read this morning said that Richards supported the right for Texans to carry "concealed pistols, automatic weapons, and cop-killer bullets." Pretty hyperbolic, considering you and I know the difference between an auto and a semi-auto, but it sounded like she was on the right side of gun control, not the wrong. I don't remember that race or the issues, though, and the AP could very well be very wrong, especially when it comes to firearms. Remember, in Texas, even the Democrats probably have a lot of guns.

Wrong.She completely backed the legislation to reduce the sale of semi-autos and "cop killer" bullets.She vetoed the bill for concealed carry.That cost her the election in 1994 b/c GW Bush said he would sign it first thing as part of his duties as govenor, therefore he got mucho backing by the NRA during the election.

"...just an earthbound misfit, I."

[JohnRich 4]

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Well, the AP story I read this morning said that Richards supported the right for Texans to carry "concealed pistols, automatic weapons, and cop-killer bullets."

Well, the news media got it wrong again. Yeah, she liked to pose with a shotgun in the field to curry favor from hunters. But like Moody said (above), she defeated the will of the people and legislators with a veto of the concealed carry bill. The backlash from that cost her reelection, and made Bush governor. And without being a governor, would Bush have ever had a chance to become President? Who knows. If Ann Richards had just let Texans carry guns, the entire course of United States history might have been changed.