Molly Ivins

Biography of Molly Ivins

Molly Ivins was a trailblazing American journalist, columnist, and satirist whose fearless humor and down-home Texas wit made her one of the most distinctive voices in political commentary. Born in Monterey, California, and raised in Houston, Texas, Ivins became nationally renowned for her ability to skewer political elites while sounding like she was chatting with you over barbecue and a beer. Her writing, infused with colloquial charm and biting irony, helped redefine political satire in American journalism.

Ivins began her career at the Houston Chronicle and later became the first female police reporter at the Minneapolis Tribune. But it was her return to Texas, writing for outlets such as the Texas Observer and later as a syndicated columnist, that solidified her reputation. She became the quintessential chronicler of Texas politics, exposing the arrogance, corruption, and absurdity of the state’s political culture with humor that resonated far beyond its borders.

Her satirical style was defined by plainspoken wit. She had a gift for turning political hypocrisy into comedy without ever softening the underlying critique. Her famous description of George W. Bush as “Shrub” encapsulated her talent for cutting powerful figures down to size with a single word. Through books like Molly Ivins Can’t Say That, Can She? and Bushwhacked (co-written with Lou Dubose), she reached national audiences hungry for political commentary that was both entertaining and uncompromising.

Ivins’ work was not just about laughter; it was about accountability. She saw humor as a democratic tool, a way of making politics accessible while reminding readers that they had the power to demand better. Her legacy endures in the countless journalists and satirists she inspired to use comedy as a form of resistance.

For more on her life and work, visit: https://bohiney.com/author/molly-ivins/