Wendy Davis (Politician), Bio, Age, Education, Husband, and Filibuster
Wendy Davis Biography
Wendy Davis is an American attorney, former Texas state senator, political activist, and advocate for women’s rights, best known for her 2013 filibuster against a restrictive abortion bill in Texas. Born Wendy Russell Davis, she gained national attention for her passionate and marathon stand in the Texas Senate, which turned her into a symbol of resistance for reproductive rights. Over the years, Davis has built a career focused on public service, law, and progressive activism.
Education
Wendy Davis’s academic journey is a testament to perseverance and ambition. She graduated from Richland College, part of the Dallas County Community College District, before transferring to Texas Christian University (TCU) on a full scholarship. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from TCU and later graduated with honors from Harvard Law School, one of the most prestigious law schools in the world.
Age
She was born on May 16, 1963, which makes her 62 years old as of 2025.
Wendy Davis Parents and Siblings
Wendy Davis was born Wendy Jean Russell in West Warwick, Rhode Island, to Virginia “Ginger” (Stovall) and Jerry Russell. Her family relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, in 1973 when she was 10 years old. At age 13, her parents divorced. After the split, her father left his job to pursue a career in community theater, which meant child support payments ceased. Her mother, who had only a ninth-grade education, worked a series of low-wage jobs to support Wendy and her three siblings.
Height
Davis stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) tall.
Wendy Davis Husband
Wendy Davis is currently married to Alan Schoenbaum; the couple tied the knot in 2019. This marks Davis’s third marriage. She was previously married to Jeff Davis, whom she wed in 1987. They had one daughter together, Dru, before divorcing in 2005. Prior to that, her first marriage was to Frank Underwood in 1982. The couple had a daughter and later divorced in 1984.
Divorce
In November 2003, Wendy and Jeff Davis separated. When their divorce was finalized in 2005, they were granted joint conservatorship of their daughter, Dru, who continued to live primarily with her father in the family home. As part of the agreement, Wendy Davis agreed to pay $1,200 per month in child support.
First Marriage
At 17, while still in high school, Wendy Davis moved in with her boyfriend, Frank Underwood, a construction worker. In 1981, she graduated from Richland High School as a member of the National Honor Society. She married Underwood on January 24, 1982, and later that year, gave birth to her first daughter, Amber. By the age of 19, the couple had separated, and Davis filed for divorce in December 1983. The divorce was finalized on May 22, 1984, when she was 21. Davis was awarded custody of Amber, with Underwood ordered to pay child support.
State Senator Wendy Davis
She served as a Texas State Senator representing District 10, which includes parts of Fort Worth, from 2009 to 2015. As a senator, she focused on issues like education funding, healthcare access, and women’s rights. Her tenure is most famously marked by her nearly 13-hour filibuster in 2013 that temporarily blocked Senate Bill 5, which sought to impose strict regulations on abortion providers.
Wendy Davis Politician
Beyond her role as a state senator, Davis made a bold move in 2014 by running for Governor of Texas as a Democrat. Though she lost the election to Republican Greg Abbott, her campaign energized the Democratic base and elevated conversations about women’s rights and education in Texas. She also ran for U.S. Congress in Texas’s 21st congressional district in 2020 but was again defeated. Despite electoral setbacks, she remains a prominent progressive voice and political activist.
Wendy Davis Actor
It’s important not to confuse Wendy Davis the politician with Wendy Davis the actress, known for her role on the TV show Army Wives. The two are different individuals who happen to share the same name. The actress Wendy Davis was born in Joppatowne, Maryland, and has no connection to Texas politics.
Wendy Davis Filibuster
Wendy Davis’s 2013 filibuster is what propelled her into the national spotlight. Wearing pink sneakers, she stood for nearly 13 hours on the Texas Senate floor without sitting, leaning, or taking bathroom breaks to block an abortion bill. The bill, Senate Bill 5, sought to impose severe restrictions on abortion clinics. Although the bill eventually passed in a later session, Davis’s stand inspired a new wave of activism and became a defining moment in the modern fight for reproductive rights.
Where Is Wendy Davis Now?
As of 2025, Wendy Davis continues her work as a public speaker, activist, and founder of Deeds Not Words, an organization aimed at empowering young women to become leaders and advocates. She remains active in national politics and legal advocacy, especially around reproductive justice, voting rights, and gender equity. Davis also frequently appears at conferences and on media platforms to discuss social issues and political strategy.
Net Worth
Her net worth is estimated to be between $500,000 and $1 million, though exact figures can vary. Her income has come from her legal career, political work, public speaking engagements, and book sales. In 2014, she released a memoir titled Forgetting to Be Afraid, detailing her personal and political journey.
