Richards is married to Mark White, a writer and producer, and the couple has two children together. She is an advocate for sustainable living and has been involved in various environmental initiatives.

She remains a respected figure in the fan community, frequently appearing at anniversaries and events to celebrate the film's legacy. For fans of the franchise, her performance remains a masterclass in portraying "genuine fear" on screen, far removed from the baseless rumors found in tabloid searches.

In the ecosystem of , Richards now occupies a rare hybrid space. She is a "Hollywood dropout" who succeeded by dropping out. She sells her paintings to the same nerds who once bought her action figure. The Venn diagram of "Jurassic Park collectors" and "contemporary art buyers" is small, but it exists exclusively because of her.