Renowned TV personality Judy Sheindlin, best known for her iconic role on the hit show “Judge Judy,” has had an amazing career both in and out of the courtroom. Recently, as she celebrated her birthday, she took a moment to reflect on a serious health scare that happened during a taping of her show.
Judy was born on October 12, 1942, to Jewish parents Ethel and Murray in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up, her mother worked as an office manager, and her father ran a dental practice. Judy completed her high school education at James Madison High School in 1960 and went on to graduate from American University in Washington, D.C., in 1963.
Driven by her passion for law, Judy enrolled at American University’s Washington College of Law. There, she stood out as the only female student among 126 classmates. “It was tough being the only woman, but I knew I wanted to make my mark,” she said. Afterward, she earned her law degree from New York Law School and passed the New York bar exam in 1965.
Judy started her career working as a corporate lawyer for a beauty company but soon grew unhappy. “I just wasn’t fulfilled,” she admitted. In 1972, she made the bold decision to switch careers and became a prosecutor. Her rise to fame began in 1993 when she was featured in The Los Angeles Times, followed by an appearance on “60 Minutes.”
In 1996, after a successful 25-year judgeship, Judy retired and launched her own television show, “Judge Judy,” that September. Her straightforward judicial style quickly won over viewers, making her a household name.
However, in March 2011, while filming on set, Judy experienced a frightening health episode that turned out to be a mini-stroke. At first, she hesitated to call for help, but her devoted colleagues insisted, saying, “Judy, we can’t ignore this!” They called for medical assistance, leading to her hospitalization.
Doctors later diagnosed her with a possible transient ischemic attack, which had caused her double vision and slowed speech earlier that day.
“Judge Judy” came to an end in 2021 after a remarkable 25-season run. During her time on the show, Judy became one of the highest-paid TV hosts, earning a staggering $47 million per season. Now, at 81 years old, she has embarked on a new project called “Judy Justice,” which is currently in its second season.
Throughout her life, Judy has been married three times. Her current husband is Jerry Sheindlin, whom she met in a memorable encounter at a bar. Their initial meeting sparked a deep connection, leading them to marry, then divorce, and finally remarry. They have now been happily together for over three decades, proving that their love has stood the test of time.