Judge Judy (Judith Sheindlin) has been married to former New York Supreme Court Justice and television arbitrator Jerry Sheindlin since 1977, with the exception of a brief one-year divorce between 1990 and 1991. Prior to her marriage to Jerry, she was married to prosecutor Ronald Levy from 1964 to 1976.
Quick Facts: Judge Judy’s Husbands
| Attribute | Jerry Sheindlin (Second Husband) | Ronald Levy (First Husband) |
| Marriage Dates | 1977–1990; Remarried 1991–Present | 1964–1976 (Divorced) |
| Profession | Defense Attorney, NY Supreme Court Justice, TV Judge | Juvenile Court Prosecutor |
| Television Role | Presiding Judge on The People’s Court (1999–2001) | None |
| Children (Blended) | 3 from his previous marriage (Gregory, Jonathan, Nicole) | 2 with Judith (Jamie Hartwright, Gregory Levy) |
| Education | Brooklyn Law School (J.D.) | New York Law School |
Who Is Jerry Sheindlin?
Gerald “Jerry” Sheindlin is a veteran New York legal figure whose career spans high-profile criminal defense, the state bench, and daytime television. Born in the Bronx, New York, Sheindlin earned his undergraduate degree before serving in the U.S. military and later graduating from Brooklyn Law School.
Legal Career and the New York Bench
Before becoming a judge, Jerry Sheindlin built a reputation as a prominent criminal defense attorney in New York City during the 1960s and 1970s. He later transitioned to the bench, serving as a justice on the New York State Supreme Court in the Bronx.
During his tenure on the bench, he presided over several high-profile cases, most notably the 1996 trial of New York City police officer Francis X. Livotti, who was acquitted in a controversial bench trial involving the chokehold death of Anthony Baez.
Stint on The People’s Court
Following the massive syndication success of Judge Judy (which debuted in 1996), Jerry Sheindlin retired from the New York State Supreme Court in 1999 to succeed former New York City Mayor Ed Koch as the presiding judge on the rival courtroom series The People’s Court.
For two seasons (1999 to 2001), the married couple competed directly in daytime television syndication before Jerry stepped down, replaced by Judge Marilyn Milian. He later assisted behind the scenes as a legal consultant and producer on projects including Judy Justice.
Relationship Timeline: Judith and Jerry Sheindlin
Why Did Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin Divorce and Remarry?
One of the most unusual chapters of Judge Judy’s personal life is that she has been married three times, yet only to two men.
In 1990, Judith’s father, Murray Blum, passed away. Because she was devastated by the loss, the friction between her intense, grieving mindset and Jerry’s more detached, pragmatic personality reached a breaking point. In later interviews, Judith noted that Jerry initially struggled to provide the specific emotional comfort she demanded at the time, leading her to file for divorce.
During their year apart, however, both realized they had no interest in starting over with anyone else. Jerry reportedly took accountability for the communication breakdown, and the pair remarried in 1991. Both have credited their long-term durability to maintaining independent professional identities, distinct hobbies, and mutual respect for each other’s assertive personalities.
Judge Judy’s First Husband: Ronald Levy
Before meeting Jerry Sheindlin, Judith married Ronald Levy in 1964, shortly after she passed the New York State bar exam.
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Career Dynamics: While Judith worked briefly as a corporate lawyer for a cosmetics firm before staying home to raise their two young children, Ronald worked as a prosecutor in juvenile court.
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Reason for Split: When Judith returned to legal practice as a prosecutor in the New York family court system in 1972, her career rapidly gained momentum. According to Judith’s biographical accounts, Ronald viewed her growing professional ambition and demanding career as a departure from the traditional domestic life he expected. The couple divorced amicably in 1976 after 12 years of marriage.
Blended Family and Children
Between her marriage to Ronald Levy and her blended marriage with Jerry Sheindlin, Judge Judy is the matriarch of five children and 13 grandchildren. Several of their children followed their parents into the legal profession:
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Jamie Hartwright (Judith and Ronald’s daughter): Writer and homemaker.
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Gregory Levy (Judith and Ronald’s son): Former prosecutor and family law attorney.
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Gregory Sheindlin (Jerry’s son from his first marriage): Former prosecutor, defense attorney, and current television arbitrator on the syndicated courtroom show Tribunal Justice (created by Judge Judy).
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Jonathan Sheindlin (Jerry’s son from his first marriage): Ophthalmologist and retinal specialist in New York.
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Nicole Sheindlin (Jerry’s daughter from his first marriage): Attorney and co-founder of Her Honor Mentoring, a youth mentoring program she established alongside her stepmother, Judith.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin still married?
Yes. Aside from a one-year separation and divorce in 1990, Judith and Jerry Sheindlin have been married since 1977, making their union nearly five decades long.
Did Jerry Sheindlin have his own TV show?
Yes. Jerry Sheindlin served as the presiding judge on The People’s Court from 1999 to 2001, directly competing in daytime syndication against his wife’s series, Judge Judy.
How many times has Judge Judy been married?
She has been married three times to two different men: first to Ronald Levy (1964–1976), and twice to Jerry Sheindlin (1977–1990, and 1991–present).
Who was Judge Judy’s first husband?
Her first husband was Ronald Levy, a New York prosecutor. They were married for 12 years and had two children together before divorcing in 1976.
Sources & References
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Encyclopædia Britannica: Judith Sheindlin Biographical Profile & Career Timeline, Verified marriage dates to Ronald Levy (1964–1976) and Jerry Sheindlin (1977–1990; remarried 1991), education at American University and New York Law School, and judicial appointment history.
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Her Honor Mentoring (Official Non-Profit Registry): Co-Founders & Leadership Profile: Judith Sheindlin and Nicole Sheindlin, Verified blended family collaboration between Judith Sheindlin and stepdaughter Nicole Sheindlin.
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HarperCollins / Primary Memoir Filing: Keep It Simple, Stupid: You’re Smarter Than You Look by Judy Sheindlin (Cliff Street Books, 2000, ISBN: 978-0060195465), Primary first-person documentation of her blended family structure, the 1990 divorce following the death of her father Murray Blum, and her 1991 reconciliation with Jerry Sheindlin.
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Brooklyn Law School: Official Alumni & Institutional Records, Verified legal education and Juris Doctor background for Gerald “Jerry” Sheindlin.
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Historical Society of the New York Courts: New York State Unified Court System Judicial Archives, Verified judicial tenure context for New York Family Court and New York State Supreme Court (Bronx County) bench appointments.
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IMDb Industry Database: Jerry Sheindlin Television Credits & Production History, Verified tenure as presiding judge on The People’s Court (1999–2001) and consulting/producing credits.
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