Ruth Richardson (born 13 December 1950) is a New Zealand retired politician of the National Party who served as Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1993. Her 1991 budget, which she dubbed the "Mother of all Budgets", formed the catalyst of her economic reforms known in the media as "Ruthanasia". Richardson was dismissed as Finance Minister following the 1993 election; she resigned from Parliament in 1994. She later joined ACT New Zealand.