Simplify the following text for a Grade 10 native English-speaking person.
Original: Kathleen Babineaux Blanco ( born December 15 , 1942 ) was the 54th Governor of Louisiana , having served from January 2004 until January 2008 .
Simplified: Kathleen Babineaux Blanco ( born December 15 , 1942 ) is the former governor of Louisiana .