Cecilia Abbott

CECILIA ABBOTT’s story reminds us all that the American dream is alive and well in Texas. The granddaughter of immigrants from Mexico, Abbott was raised in San Antonio by parents who were both educators, and who instilled in her, her sister and two brothers a love of learning and helping others. Abbott took their lessons to heart, and studied at the University of Texas at Austin before subsequently earning three degrees from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, including a B.S. in psychology, an M.A. in education and a M.A. theology. Abbott then devoted her life to serving others. She has been a teacher, vice-principal, and principal at several Catholic schools across Texas. Most recently she served as the principal of the Cathedral School of Saint Mary in Austin from 1996 to 2001. She then went on to another noble calling working in senior health care services, where she served as the managing director of community relations from 2004 to 2013 for a health care company specializing in senior health care facilities and services. Abbott currently serves on the board of several educational organizations, including the University of St. Thomas board of directors, the Huston-Tillotson University board of directors and the Saint Gabriel’s Catholic School board of trustees. She is also active in numerous philanthropic groups. She is a member of the Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas chapter, Women’s Symphony League of Austin, the Austin chapter of the National Charity League and the Dell Children’s Women’s Trust. Abbott is a prolific animal lover and a classical music devotee. But most importantly, she is a proud mother to her daughter, Audrey and a devoted wife to her husband of 34 years, the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott. With her husband’s election as Governor, she made history by becoming the first Hispanic First Lady of Texas. The Abbott Family lives in Austin with their two dogs, Oreo and Pancake.