Judy Sheindlin

Judith Susan Sheindlin (née Blum; born October 21, 1942), known professionally as Judge Judy, is an American television personality, author, and retired judge who served in New York City's family court system before presiding over the long-running arbitration-based reality court show Judge Judy from 1996 to 2021. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from American University in 1963 and a Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1965, then began her legal career in corporate law before transitioning to prosecution in family court in 1972, where she handled cases involving child abuse and domestic violence.

Appointed a family court judge in Manhattan by Mayor Ed Koch in 1982, Sheindlin advanced to supervising judge in 1986, overseeing thousands of cases with a reputation for direct, no-nonsense adjudication until her retirement in 1996. Her judicial profile in a 1993 Los Angeles Times article led to the creation of Judge Judy, which aired for 25 seasons and became the highest-rated court show in syndication history, consistently drawing over 10 million daily viewers and surpassing competitors like The Oprah Winfrey Show in ratings during its peak.

Sheindlin's television success generated substantial wealth, with a reported net worth exceeding $440 million derived primarily from her shows and a landmark $480 million syndication deal, marking her as one of the highest-paid figures in daytime television. She has authored books such as Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining (1996), offering advice drawn from her courtroom experiences, and launched Judy Justice in 2021 on streaming platforms, continuing her role as an arbiter in small claims disputes. Her approach emphasizes personal accountability and straightforward rulings, often critiquing litigants' irresponsibility without deference to prevailing sensitivities.