Renowned TV personality Judy Sheindlin, best known for her role on the hit show “Judge Judy,” has had an exciting and impressive career both in and out of the courtroom. Recently, as she celebrated her birthday, she took some time to reflect on a serious health scare that happened while filming her show.
Judy was born on October 12, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish parents Ethel and Murray. Growing up, her mother worked as an office manager, and her father was a dentist. Judy finished high school at James Madison High School in 1960 and then went on to graduate from American University in Washington, D.C., in 1963.
Her passion for law led Judy to American University’s Washington College of Law, where she stood out as the only woman in a class of 126 students. She later earned her law degree from New York Law School and passed the New York bar exam in 1965. “I knew I wanted to make a difference,” she often said about her decision to pursue law.
Judy started her career as a corporate lawyer for a beauty company but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for her. Feeling dissatisfied, she switched gears and became a prosecutor in 1972. Her rise to fame really took off when she was featured in The Los Angeles Times in 1993 and later appeared on “60 Minutes.”
After a successful 25-year judgeship, Judy retired in 1996 and launched her popular TV show “Judge Judy” that same year. Her straightforward style and tough-love approach made her a favorite among viewers.
In March 2011, while filming on set, Judy faced a worrying health scare. She experienced symptoms that turned out to be a mini-stroke. At first, she didn’t want to seek help, but her dedicated colleagues insisted, saying, “Judy, we’re really worried about you.”
This led to her hospitalization, where doctors diagnosed her with a possible transient ischemic attack, which caused her double vision and slowed speech that day.
“Judge Judy” wrapped up in 2021 after a phenomenal 25-season run. During her time on the show, Judy became one of the highest-paid TV hosts, earning an astonishing $47 million per season. Now at 81, she is working on a new project called “Judy Justice,” which is already in its second season.
Throughout her life, Judy has been married three times. Her current husband is Jerry Sheindlin, whom she met under memorable circumstances at a bar. Their initial meeting sparked a long-lasting romance, and the couple has married, divorced, and remarried, proving their love is strong. Now, they’ve been happily together for over thirty years.