Cecilia Abbott

Cecilia Phalen was born on November 13, 1959. She is the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants.[1] Abbott was raised in San Antonio, Texas by her parents, who were both educators, and she had 3 siblings. Abbott graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. She then attended University of Texas at Austin, where she met her future husband Greg Abbott.[2] She later attended University of St. Thomas where she received a bachelor's degree in Psychology, a master's degree in Education, and a master's degree in Theology.[3] She married Greg Abbott in 1981, with whom she shares a birthday. They have one adopted daughter, Audrey. The Abbott family currently lives in the Texas Governors Mansion in Austin, Texas. They have two dogs: Pancake, who is known as the First Dog of Texas, and Peaches, who is known as the First Puppy of Texas.

Abbott has been a principal at various Catholic schools in Texas, most recently she served as principal of Cathedral School of Saint Mary in Austin between the years of 1996 and 2001. She later worked in the healthcare industry as a Managing Director of Community Relations for a senior adult healthcare company.[3] Throughout her life she has served far various different boards and organizations. Abbott took the position of First of Lady of Texas on January 20, 2015, succeeding Anita Thigpen Perry.[4] Abbott is the first Hispanic First Lady of Texas.[5] Abbott is a Republican.[6]