Judge Judy’s husband is Jerry Sheindlin, a former New York State Supreme Court judge, lawyer and television arbitrator. The couple first married in 1977, divorced in 1990 and remarried in 1991; recent 2026 coverage continues to identify Jerry as Judy Sheindlin’s husband.
Jerry also became a television judge, presiding over The People’s Court from 1999 until 2001. Together, Judy and Jerry have a blended family of five children and 13 grandchildren.
Introduction
When people search for “Judge Judy’s husband,” they are usually looking for information about Jerry Sheindlin, the former judge and television personality who has been married to Judith Sheindlin, better known as Judge Judy, for decades.
Jerry Sheindlin is not simply known because of his connection to the famous courtroom television personality. He had his own legal career, serving as a judge in New York before later appearing on television as the presiding judge on The People’s Court.
The couple’s relationship has also had an unusual chapter. They married in the late 1970s, divorced in 1990 and then reunited and remarried the following year. Recent coverage in September 2026 continues to describe Jerry as Judge Judy’s husband, making their decades-long relationship a notable part of her personal story.
The timing is particularly relevant because Judge Judy is currently in the spotlight again. In September 2026, she has been discussing her 30-year television career and her decision to step away from regular on-camera work after Judy Justice.
Who Is Judge Judy’s Husband?
Jerry Sheindlin is Judge Judy’s husband.
He is a lawyer and former judge who spent much of his professional life working in the New York legal system. PEOPLE has described him as a former trial judge and television arbitrator who served on the New York Supreme Court.
Jerry later moved into television, where he became the judge on The People’s Court. His television career created an unusual situation: he and Judy were both recognizable television judges, although they appeared on different courtroom programs.
The Television Academy records that Jerry succeeded former New York City Mayor Ed Koch as the judge on the revived The People’s Court during the 1999–2000 season. He remained with the program until the 2000–01 season, when Marilyn Milian took over.
That means Jerry Sheindlin had an established legal and television career of his own before and during his marriage to one of America’s most recognizable courtroom-TV personalities.
When Did Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin Get Married?
Judy Sheindlin and Jerry Sheindlin first married in 1977, according to recent PEOPLE and InStyle reporting.
The two reportedly met while working in the legal world. PEOPLE’s profile of Jerry says they first met in a bar, where Judy was working in a professional legal setting and Jerry was also involved in law.
Their relationship developed into marriage, but it was not without difficulties.
The couple divorced in 1990. However, their separation did not become permanent.
They remarried in 1991, beginning the second chapter of their marriage.
Their decision to marry each other again is one of the most frequently discussed parts of their relationship because it makes their marriage history different from a conventional single-marriage story.
Did Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin Get Divorced?
Yes.
Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin divorced in 1990, after more than a decade together.
But the divorce was temporary. The couple reconciled and remarried in 1991. Recent coverage from PEOPLE and InStyle both describes the relationship as one that survived the divorce and continued for decades afterward.
This is an important distinction when researching Judge Judy’s husband because some older biographies list two separate marriages between Judy and Jerry.
The most accurate way to describe their history is that they married, divorced, and subsequently remarried each other.
How Long Have Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin Been Together?
Their relationship dates back to the 1970s.
Because they first married in 1977 and remarried in 1991 after their divorce, their relationship has extended across several decades. In 2026, recent coverage describes their marriage as approaching the 50-year mark when the couple’s time together across both marriages is considered.
Their relationship has therefore continued through major changes in both of their careers.
Judy became one of television’s most successful courtroom personalities, while Jerry developed his own reputation as a New York judge and later a television arbitrator.
Jerry Sheindlin’s Legal Career
Jerry Sheindlin’s professional background is important because it explains why his television career was more than simply being “Judge Judy’s husband.”
PEOPLE reports that Jerry began his legal career as a defense attorney before becoming a judge. He eventually served on the New York Supreme Court.
That legal background put him in a similar professional world to Judy.
Judy Sheindlin also had a substantial legal career before television. She worked as a prosecutor in New York’s family court system and later became a judge.
Their shared understanding of law became one of the defining characteristics of their relationship.
Jerry also authored books related to law, including works concerning DNA evidence and criminal investigations, according to biographical records.
Jerry Sheindlin on The People’s Court
One of the most interesting facts about Judge Judy’s husband is that Jerry eventually became a television judge himself.
After serving as a New York judge, Jerry joined The People’s Court in 1999. The Television Academy identifies him as the former New York State Supreme Court judge who succeeded Ed Koch on the program.
Jerry’s tenure lasted until 2001.
This meant that both members of the married couple were appearing in courtroom television during the same general period.
Judy was the star of Judge Judy, while Jerry presided over The People’s Court. Their careers therefore became connected not only through marriage but also through the television courtroom genre.
The Television Academy’s historical record confirms Jerry’s position on The People’s Court during the 1999–2001 period.
Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin Have a Blended Family
Judy and Jerry’s family includes children from their previous marriages.
According to recent PEOPLE reporting, Judy has two children from her first marriage, while Jerry had three children from his previous marriage. Together, they became a blended family of five children.
Their children include:
- Gregory Sheindlin
- Jamie Hartwright
- Jonathan Sheindlin
- Adam Levy
- Nicole Sheindlin
Several members of the family have followed professional paths connected to law, medicine or television.
PEOPLE reports that Gregory and Nicole are lawyers, Jonathan is an ophthalmologist and professor, and Adam Levy, Judy’s son, has continued the family’s television courtroom connection with Adam’s Law.
The family has also grown across generations, with Judy and Jerry reported to have 13 grandchildren.
Judge Judy’s Family Is Still in the Spotlight in 2026
The Sheindlin family has received renewed attention in September 2026 because of Judy’s television career transition.
Judge Judy recently marked the 30th anniversary of her famous courtroom program and announced that she intends to retire from regular on-camera television work. PEOPLE reported that she plans to remain creatively involved in other projects, while her son Adam Levy is continuing the courtroom-TV tradition with Adam’s Law.
CBS also listed a September 22, 2026 CBS Mornings episode featuring Judith Sheindlin discussing her 30-year career and passing the torch to her son Adam.
This current career transition has naturally renewed interest in Judy’s personal life, including her long relationship with Jerry.
What Has Judge Judy Said About Her Marriage?
Public profiles of the couple have highlighted their long-term relationship and the unusual fact that they divorced and then chose to marry again.
PEOPLE’s profile of Jerry reported that their reunion followed their 1990 divorce and that Jerry has spoken about missing Judy during their separation.
Recent InStyle coverage also describes the couple as having maintained a long marriage despite the earlier divorce and remarriage.
Because these details come from retrospective interviews and profiles rather than a new announcement about their relationship, they should be understood as background information rather than a newly developing relationship story.
Why Jerry Sheindlin Matters to Judge Judy’s Story
Jerry’s importance to Judge Judy’s story comes from both his personal and professional connection to her.
He understood the legal profession firsthand, had his own judicial career and later became a television judge.
That makes their relationship unusual within television history. The couple were not simply a celebrity and a spouse from a different profession; both had substantial careers connected to law and courtroom television.
Their family has also continued that connection.
Judy’s son Adam Levy now has his own courtroom television program, while other family members have pursued legal careers.
The result is a family story that extends beyond Judge Judy’s individual television career.
What Happens Next for Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin?
There is no verified indication in the current reporting that Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin are ending their marriage.
Recent September 2026 coverage continues to identify Jerry as Judy’s husband.
The major confirmed change currently involving Judy is professional rather than marital.
She has announced that she is stepping away from regular on-camera television work. Her current Judy Justice run is scheduled to conclude in October 2026, while her son Adam Levy is continuing into courtroom television with Adam’s Law.
Judy has also indicated that stepping away from regular on-camera work does not mean she is completely leaving television or creative projects.
As of September 2026, there is therefore no confirmed new development suggesting a change in her marriage to Jerry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Judge Judy’s husband?
Judge Judy’s husband is Jerry Sheindlin, a former New York judge, lawyer and television arbitrator. He later became the judge on The People’s Court.
Is Judge Judy still married to Jerry Sheindlin?
Yes. Recent 2026 reporting continues to identify Jerry Sheindlin as Judge Judy’s husband. The couple first married in 1977, divorced in 1990 and remarried in 1991.
When did Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin get married?
They first married in 1977 and remarried in 1991 after divorcing in 1990.
Was Jerry Sheindlin a real judge?
Yes. Jerry Sheindlin was a lawyer and served as a judge on the New York State Supreme Court before moving into television.
Was Jerry Sheindlin on The People’s Court?
Yes. Jerry served as the television judge on The People’s Court from 1999 until 2001, after succeeding Ed Koch.
How many children do Judge Judy and Jerry Sheindlin have?
Together, they have a blended family of five children from their previous marriages: two from Judy’s first marriage and three from Jerry’s previous marriage.
How many grandchildren does Judge Judy have?
Recent PEOPLE reporting says Judge Judy and her family include 13 grandchildren.
What is happening with Judge Judy in 2026?
In September 2026, Judge Judy has been discussing her 30-year television career and her decision to step away from regular on-camera work. Her Judy Justice run is scheduled to conclude in October 2026, while her son Adam Levy continues the courtroom-TV connection with Adam’s Law.