meaning of 'dowager'

[Nessie]

Hi,
I wonder a bit about the informal meaning of 'dowager'.
Here is what the Longman Dictionary says:
a respected and impressive old lady

Here is what the OALD says:
an impressive, usually rich, old woman

And here is what the Collins COBUILD says:
If you describe a woman as a dowager, you mean that she is old and rich or looks important. (LITERARY)

=> What I wonder is whether we can use the word (informally) to refer to a woman who is old, rich, (and maybe somehow impressive), but not respected. (actually I'm thinking about the character of Mary Carson in the book 'The thorn birds'... )

Many thanks,
Nessie.
_________________
... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know..

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Yankee]

Hi Nessie

Here is the AHD definition for dowager: