Biography
Judith Susan Sheindlin (born October 21, 1942), known as the inimitable Judge Judy, is a true force in American jurisprudence. Over a career spanning nearly six years, she has established a reputation as a prominent arbitrator, television producer, author, and media personality.
After passing the New York State Bar Exam in 1965, Judy Sheindlin began her legal career as a prosecutor in the family court system. In 1982, she was appointed to a judgeship in the New York City criminal court system, where her hands-on approach to the swift administration of justice quickly earned her a reputation.
In 1996, Judy Sheindlin’s eponymous television show, Judge Judy, debuted to rave reviews and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, with Sheindlin at the helm as the caustic and sharp-tongued judge. To this day, she continues to hold her own on television, delivering her unique wisdom and wit to rapt audiences.
In addition to her work on Judge Judy, Judy Sheindlin is the author of several books, including Don’t Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It’s Raining, which offer her practical advice on a variety of topics. Her candid and direct style has earned her a loyal following, and her influence extends far beyond the courtroom.
She has been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and induction into the Radio & Cable Television Hall of Fame. Despite her many accomplishments, Judy Sheindlin remains humble and dedicated to her work, always striving to administer justice with fairness and compassion.
American referee
Judy Sheindlin |
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 Judy Sheindlin: History ‧ Biography ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Full name: | Judith Susan Sheindlin Blum |
| Stage name: | Judy Sheindlin |
| Born: | October 21, 1942 (age 81) |
| Place of birth: | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.55 minutes |
| Parents: | Murray Blum, Ethel Blum |
| Siblings: | David Blum |
| Husband • Spouse: | Jerry Sheindlin (married 1991), Jerry Sheindlin (married 1977–1990), Ronald Levy (married 1964–1976) |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | Do not have |
| The children: | Nicole Sheindlin, Adam Levy, Jamie Hartwright, Jonathan Sheindlin, Gregory Sheindlin |
| Job: | Referee • TV Personality |
| Net worth: | $440 million |
Early life and education
Judith Susan Sheindlin, the Honorable Judge Judy, was born into a Jewish family in the bustling borough of Brooklyn, New York, on October 21, 1942. Her father, Murray Blum, was a dentist, while her mother, Ethel Blum, was a homemaker. She has an older brother named David Blum.
The Blum family is descended from immigrants from Brest Litovsk, Belarus (now Brest, Belarus), and Judge Judy often speaks fondly of her family heritage.
Judy Sheindlin was a bright student, graduating from James Madison High School in 1960 before earning a Bachelor of Arts in government from American University in 1963. She then earned a Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1964, setting the stage for her illustrious legal career.
Judy Sheindlin began her professional journey as an attorney for the Legal Aid Society in New York City before moving into a prosecutorial role in the family court system.
Personal life
Judy Sheindlin, the indomitable arbiter of justice, is said to have entered into the holy bond of marriage for the first time in 1964 at the age of 22. Her husband was none other than Ronald Levy, who later became a prosecutor in the juvenile court.
The couple was blessed with two children, a son named Jamie Hartwright and another son named Adam Levy. Unfortunately, their marriage was said to have been annulled just twelve years after it was consecrated.
Judy Sheindlin then married Judge Jerry Sheindlin in 1977, who also served as an arbitrator at the People’s Court from 1999 to 2001. Tragically, the couple was forced to dissolve their marriage in 1990 due to the stress and grief Judy Sheindlin endured after her father passed away that same year.
Jerry Sheindlin and Judge Judy have one daughter together, the adorable Nicole Sheindlin. Luckily, their love did not stand the test of time, and the couple was able to rekindle their romance in 1991. They had Jonathan Sheindlin and Gregory Sheindlin.
In 2018, Judy Sheindlin and her husband announced that they had made the lucky decision to purchase the Bird House, a 9,700-square-foot estate on 3.67 acres in the picturesque town of Newport, Rhode Island, formerly owned by Dorrance Hill Hamilton.
Career
Judith Susan Sheindlin, better known to the world as Judge Judy, began her legal career in 1965 after passing the New York State Bar Exam. She initially pursued a career in corporate law, working for a cosmetics company until the allure of motherhood compelled her to leave her job to devote herself to raising her two children, Jamie Hartwright and Adam Levy.
Soon, Judy Sheindlin’s innate sense of justice called her back to the law. In 1972, she was notified of a prosecutor position in the New York family court system and jumped at the chance, applying for and securing the role. She quickly established herself as a staunch advocate for the rights of young people, victims of domestic violence, and abused children.
In 1982, her diligence and unwavering commitment to upholding the law earned her a position in New York City’s criminal court, where she was appointed by Mayor Ed Koch. Four years later, Judy Sheindlin was promoted to the role of supervising judge in Manhattan’s family court, where she became known for her uncompromising approach to justice. She has rejected the labels “tough” and “harsh” as a way to describe her judicial style, insisting that she is committed to administering justice fairly and impartially.
Judy Sheindlin first came to national prominence in February 1993 when she was profiled in an article in the Los Angeles Times. The article, written by Josh Getlin and inspired by his wife, Heidi Evans, praised her reputation as a judge with an unwavering commitment to administering justice with fairness and impartiality. This, in turn, attracted the attention of CBS’s 60 Minutes, which featured her in a segment introducing her to a national audience.
The success of the segment paved the way for the release of Judy Sheindlin’s first book, Don’t Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It’s Raining, in 1996. She retired as a family court judge, having presided over 20,000 cases during her tenure. However, she was not satisfied with her accomplishments.
She agreed to star in a new reality court show that would bring the drama and intensity of real-life legal proceedings to television audiences. The result was Judy Sheindlin, a widely broadcast court show that debuted on September 16, 1996, and ran for 25 seasons, making Sheindlin the longest-serving judge on television in history.
She co-hosted the show with her manager, Bailiff Byrd, who was referred to as Byrd or Officer Byrd on the show. Bailiff Byrd worked closely with Judy Sheindlin for all 25 years of the show, making him the manager who has worked on the most court shows. Before the show aired, he worked with Judy Sheindlin as her manager in the Manhattan family court system.
Net worth
The Honorable Judith Susan Sheindlin, Judge Judy, is a true model of television legal doctrine, known for her forthright demeanor and unwavering commitment to administering justice with fairness and impartiality. For more than a quarter of a century, Judge Judy has been adjudicating cases on television. Her show is broadcast in more than 70 countries and is loved by viewers around the world.
Judy Sheindlin’s financial success is as impressive as her career achievements, with an estimated net worth of $440 million and an annual income of $47 million, making her one of the richest television personalities in the world.
Her meteoric rise to fame is a prime example of how dedication, hard work and an unwavering commitment to justice can lead to unparalleled success.
Social media
- Instagram name: @Judgejudysheindlin
- Twitter Username: @Judyjustice
