Judge Judy's Life: Love, Career, And Success

There’s no denying that Judge Judy is living her best life. At 74, the beloved TV icon is thriving in every aspect—her 40-year marriage to Jerry Sheindlin is as strong as ever, and her career continues to skyrocket. With a reported annual income of $50 million through 2021, Judge Judy’s empire shows no signs of slowing down. In a candid interview with Closer Weekly, she pulls back the curtain on how she balances her personal and professional life with such grace.

Still in Love After All These Years

The news of Judge Judy’s multi-season renewal sparked some rumors about turbulence in her relationship with Jerry. But let’s be real—those whispers couldn’t be further from the truth. When asked about their connection, Judy’s response was both playful and endearing. “I still love seeing him walk into a room. He looks great,” she told Closer. And at 83, Jerry has been warned: if he doesn’t maintain his physique, he’s out the door! Of course, this rule applies to both of them. Judy revealed that in their 40 years together, Jerry has never seen her without her hair combed or lipstick on. Talk about dedication!

A Bumpy Road to Forever

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Judy and Jerry haven’t had a completely smooth ride. In 1990, 13 years after tying the knot, Judy divorced Jerry because she felt unsupported during her father’s passing. But as we all know, love can conquer all. The separation only lasted a year before they realized they couldn’t live without each other. Judy admitted, “I missed Jerry. I like having someone to fuss over. Being mated feels natural to me. Sometimes, what you think will make you happy doesn’t turn out to be the case, and I learned that lesson the hard way.”

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For the Brooklyn native, love was always a top priority. Inspired by her parents’ 48-year union filled with romance and poetry, Judy dreamed of having a great love affair. “They were a sexy couple,” she fondly recalls. Her father encouraged her to pursue something beyond being just a housewife, but marriage was still on her mind. “Back then, you left your house in a pine box or a white dress,” she joked. “So, it was time to get married. I was almost 21, and it seemed like the right move.”

First Marriage: Lessons Learned

Judy’s first marriage to lawyer Ronald Levy in 1964 marked the beginning of her journey into both love and law. After earning her law degree the following year, she and Ronald welcomed their children, Jamie and Adam. Though she described her first husband as a “nice guy” and a “good dancer,” staying home with the kids didn’t sit well with her. “After a while, I was bored. I actually looked forward to watching soap operas!” she confessed. So, she returned to school for her master’s in family law and dove back into her career.

Unfortunately, her ex-husband didn’t take her career seriously, dismissing it as “just a hobby.” When Closer spoke with Ronald, he strongly disagreed with this characterization. “A hobby? Not at all. She was a professional. She was a lawyer, and I can’t take that away from her. And she did well!” he insisted.