Judge Judy made a name for herself as a television personality on her court show Judge Judy. With a sharp tongue and a keen radar for lying, she presided over the court on her show from 1996 to 2021. She has won three Daytime Emmy Awards as well as a Lifetime Achievement Emmy, and she has amassed a net worth of about $440 million, thanks in large part to the seemingly endless loop of her episodes in syndication. A staple of hotel room television and waiting room television, Judge Judy often fades into the background of our lives; it just seems to always be on.
Well, as of 2021, fans got to see a whole lot more Judy Sheindlin, and this time it is in a fresh new outfit. Her newest courtroom show, Judy Justice, did away with some of the more antiquated courtroom traditions (like the stuffy black judicial robe; Judy can now be spotted sporting a new one colored in splashy burgundy) and features longer cases, made possible by the streaming format and not having to fit the program into half an hour segments.
Not that Judy needs the money. That $440 million net worth is enough to keep her sitting pretty for the rest of her life, as well as her five children's and their families'. So where does that money go? We decided to do some investigating. Here is how Judge Judy Sheindlin spends her $440 million net worth.
Updated on March 21, 2023: Judge Judy Sheindlin has been keeping busy with her work on television. Season two of her spinoff show, Judy Justice, just wrapped its second season on March 10, closing out the season with 70 episodes.
It appears as though this award-winning series will be coming back for a third season by the end of the year, giving fans more of what they want while also allowing Sheindlin a few months reprieve to travel and enjoy quality time with her family.
8 Judy Sheindlin Owns Mansions On Mansions
Judy Sheindlin has a $50 million real estate portfolio, including at least six luxury homes across the United States: one in Naples, Florida, one in Greenwich, Connecticut, another in Newport, Rhode Island, one in Manhattan, New York and the last in Los Angeles, California.
Her $13.2 million Greenwich mansion serves as her primary residence, but she can live it up in style at one of her other homes any time she's in the mood for a change of scenery.
7 Judy Sheindlin Is A Believer In Philanthropic Work
Judy Sheindlin has an alliance called the Her Honor Mentoring Program, in which she educates and equips young women to explore career options, discover passions and goals, and ultimately reach their full potential. She wears many hats in the organization, serving as the creator, director, and spokesperson.
The program was founded in 2006 by Nicole Sheindlin, one of Judy's children. The judge loved her daughter's idea and offered to back the organization, helping it to establish a firm foundation and grow over the years.
6 Judy Sheindlin Prefers To Travel By Private Jet
Needless to say, Judge Judy is not taking Southwest flights every time she needs to travel between her homes. She is living the good life in her private jet. Once or twice a month, Sheindlin flies from Greenwich to Los Angeles to film for about three days, after which she returns to the East Coast.
Between her many properties, her five kids, and her several grandchildren, the judge travels quite frequently between the East and West Coasts.
5 Judge Judy Pays Attorney Fees For Her Many Legal Proceedings
We do not know anyone who would want to face Judy Sheindlin in the courtroom, but that is a reality for many in her sphere. Judy Sheindlin has been involved in many legal proceedings over the years.
In the summer of 2020, she was busy suing the talent agency Rebel Entertainment for $22 million in fees that they had taken from her, alleging that they were erroneous and should not have been collected from her. Of course, Judge Judy uses only the best lawyers around, and all those attorney fees rack up quite a bill.
4 Judge Judy Spoils Her Children And Grandchildren
Judy Sheindlin is the mother to two grown children from her first marriage and stepmother to three grown children from her husband Jerry Sheindlin's previous marriage. Between the five kids, she has got 13 grandchildren, whom she reportedly spoils rotten. "I spoil them," she admitted.
"I’m trying to think of how we don’t, but the answer is we do. We don’t even think we’re doing it, but their parents are very smart. They try to put the skids on it." Now her granddaughter Sara Rose is part of Judy Justice, offering a young person's perspective on the courtroom proceedings. Judy adores her granddaughter, which makes it fun for fans to watch how their relationship continues to grow on the show.
3 Judy Sheindlin Used To Have A Gorgeous Yacht
Though Judy Sheindlin does not own it anymore, she was once the proud owner of a 152-ft yacht named Triumphant Lady, a clever nod to its mega successful owner. She sold the yacht for $6.9 million, but it is likely a comforting thought to know that she could afford to buy another one any time the whim strikes her.
2 Judy Sheindlin Has Fabulous Celebrity Friends
Judy Sheindlin counts many A-listers among her friend group, including Bette Midler, Amy Poehler, Samuel L. Jackson, RuPaul, and others. And when you have celebrity friends, you have got to entertain.
Extravagant dinners are par for the course with Judy Sheindlin, and she has no problem picking up the bill. In October 2017, a photo was shared from the late Joan Rivers' official Twitter account by the media manager, saying "Happy birthday to Joan’s great friend, Judge Judy!"
1 Judge Judy Spends Hundreds On Egg McMuffins... For Real
Judy Sheindlin does not equivocate; when she takes a stance, she comes down hard, and she has taken a firm stance on what she believes is the best breakfast food. The winner? An Egg McMuffin. She reportedly picked up the habit of grabbing this McDonald's classic every morning during her time as a family judge in Manhattan, and it has stuck!