Recently, as she celebrated her birthday, she also reflected on a past health scare that occurred during the taping of her iconic show.
Born to Jewish parents, Ethel and Murray, in Brooklyn, New York, on October 12, 1942, Judy’s formative years were influenced by her mother’s role as an office manager and her father’s dental practice.
After graduating from James Madison High School in 1960, she pursued higher education, earning her degree from American University in Washington, D.C., in 1963.
Judy’s path toward a legal career led her to American University’s Washington College of Law, where she stood out as the lone female student among 126 peers. She later obtained her law degree from New York Law School and successfully passed the New York bar exam in 1965.
Initially embarking on a career as a corporate lawyer for a beauty company, Judy later transitioned to the role of a prosecutor in 1972 due to a sense of dissatisfaction. Her ascent to fame began with a profile in The Los Angeles Times in 1993 and a subsequent appearance on “60 Minutes.”
After retiring from her 25-year judgeship in 1996, Judy ventured into television, debuting the immensely popular “Judge Judy” show in September of the same year, known for her straightforward judicial approach.
In March 2011, Judy faced a health scare on set, later revealed to be a mini-stroke. Despite initial hesitations, her longtime colleagues insisted on seeking medical assistance, leading to her hospitalization and a diagnosis of a possible transient ischemic attack, marked by symptoms like double vision and slowed speech.
“Judge Judy” concluded its successful 25-season run in 2021, with Judy earning the distinction of being one of the highest-paid TV hosts, raking in $47 million per season.
At 81, she has embarked on a new project titled “Judy Justice,” currently in its second season.
Married three times throughout her life, Judy’s current husband is Jerry Sheindlin, whom she first encountered under memorable circumstances at a bar.
Their initial meeting blossomed into a enduring relationship, leading to marriage, divorce, and subsequent remarriage, with the couple now celebrating over three decades together.
