Well-known TV personality Judy Sheindlin has had a remarkable career in and out of the courts. Her most well-known role has been on the popular show “Judge Judy.” As she celebrated her birthday, she recently thought back on a previous health crisis that happened while her show was being filmed.
On October 12, 1942, Judy was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jewish parents Murray and Ethel. Her father’s profession as a dentist and her mother’s job as an office manager had an influence on her early years. After graduating from James Madison High School in 1960, she went to American University in Washington, D.C., where she eventually earned her degree in 1963.
Judy was the only female student out of 126 at American University’s Washington College of Law, where she pursued a legal career. She later graduated from New York Law School with a law degree and passed the New York bar exam in 1965.
Originally employed as a corporate lawyer for a cosmetics company, Judy left the position because she didn’t enjoy it. She finally became a prosecutor in 1972. Her success in 1993 was aided by an appearance on “60 Minutes” and a piece in The Los Angeles Times.
Judy quit as a judge in 1996 after 25 years of service and went into television. She started the “Judge Judy” program in September of that year and quickly gained notoriety for her direct approach to the law.
Judy had a health problem on the job site in March 2011 that turned out to be a mini-stroke. Her more seasoned coworkers persuaded her to seek medical assistance despite her initial resistance. She was admitted to the hospital because of her double vision and delayed speech earlier in the day, which suggested that she may have suffered a transient ischemic stroke.
After an amazing run, “Judge Judy” ended its 25-season run in 2021. Judy was one of the most paid TV hosts, earning $47 million annually. At the age of 81, Judy started a new project called “Judy Justice,” which is now in its second season.
She has been married three times in her life. She had a memorable encounter with Jerry Sheindlin, her present husband, at a pub. After their initial meeting, the pair formed a lifelong bond that resulted in marriage, divorce, remarriage, and more than three decades of marriage.
