Ruth Bader Ginsburg Biography – Explore the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a pioneering jurist and advocate for gender equality. Learn about her net worth, age, early life, education, family, famous quotes, books, movie portrayals, husband, daughter, death, career achievements, and awards.
Joan Ruth Bader Ginsburg (March 15, 1933 – September 18, 2020) was an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1993 until her death in 2020. She was a champion of women’s rights and an influential figure in American law. Ginsburg co-founded the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project, argued landmark gender discrimination cases, and became an icon for justice and equality.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Biography: Profile Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joan Ruth Bader Ginsburg |
| Date of Birth | March 15, 1933 |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Date of Death | September 18, 2020 |
| Place of Death | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Lawyer, Legal Scholar |
| Education | – B.A., Cornell University (1954)- Attended Harvard Law School- LL.B., Columbia Law School (1959) |
| Early Career | – Law clerk for Judge Edmund L. Palmieri (1959–1961)- Professor at Rutgers Law School and Columbia Law School- Co-founder of the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project |
| Judicial Career | – Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (1980–1993)- Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court (1993–2020) |
| Notable Achievements | – Second woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court- Advocate for gender equality and women’s rights- Known for influential majority opinions and powerful dissents |
| Publications | – My Own Words (2016)- Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life by Jane Sherron De Hart (2018) |
| Awards & Honors | – Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (2002)- Time 100 Most Influential People (2015)- Numerous honorary degrees and awards for her service to law and equality |
| Personal Life | – Married to Martin D. Ginsburg (1954–2010)- Two children: Jane and James |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $4 million and $18 million at the time of her death in 2020. Her estate was valued at approximately $5.8 million. |
| Legacy | – Pioneered legal strategies to advance gender equality- Became a cultural icon known as “Notorious RBG”- Left a lasting impact on civil rights and liberties in the United States |
Key Takeaways
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Second Woman on the U.S. Supreme Court: Ginsburg was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993.
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Champion of Gender Equality: She argued cases that helped dismantle discriminatory laws.
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Cultural Icon: Known as “The Notorious R.B.G.,” she became a symbol of justice and feminism.
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Prolific Writer: Ginsburg authored influential judicial opinions and a best-selling book.
Early Life and Education
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York. She was the daughter of Nathan and Celia Bader. Her mother, Celia, played a significant role in shaping her ambitions, emphasizing education and independence. Tragically, Celia passed away the day before Ginsburg’s high school graduation.
Ginsburg attended Cornell University, where she met her future husband, Martin Ginsburg. She graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts in government. Later, she enrolled at Harvard Law School, where she was one of only nine women in a class of over 500 men. After transferring to Columbia Law School, she graduated in 1959 tied for first in her class.
Legal Career and Advocacy
After facing gender discrimination in her early career, Ginsburg worked as a law professor and legal advocate. In 1972, she co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). She argued six gender discrimination cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, winning five of them. These cases helped establish legal precedents that advanced women’s rights.
Judicial Career
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed Ginsburg to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. She served there until 1993 when President Bill Clinton nominated her to the Supreme Court.
During her tenure, Ginsburg became known for her powerful dissents in cases involving civil rights, voting rights, and gender equality. Some of her most significant decisions include:
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United States v. Virginia (1996) – Struck down the Virginia Military Institute’s male-only admissions policy.
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Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (2007) – Advocated for fair pay, which later led to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
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Shelby County v. Holder (2013) – Dissented against the weakening of the Voting Rights Act.
Notable Quotes
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“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
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“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
Portrayals in Media
Ginsburg’s life and work have been depicted in various films and books:
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Documentary: RBG (2018) explores her career and cultural impact.
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Movie: On the Basis of Sex (2018) tells the story of her early legal battles, starring Felicity Jones as Ginsburg.
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Book: My Own Words (2016) is a collection of her speeches and writings.
Personal Life
Ruth married Martin D. Ginsburg in 1954, a tax attorney who was her lifelong supporter. The couple had two children: Jane, a law professor, and James, a music producer. Martin passed away in 2010 after a long battle with cancer. Their marriage was widely admired for its mutual respect and shared commitment to family and career.
Death and Legacy
On September 18, 2020, Ginsburg passed away due to complications from pancreatic cancer at the age of 87. Her death was a moment of national mourning, with thousands paying their respects as she became the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.
Her legacy lives on through her legal contributions, her influence on gender equality, and the cultural impact she left behind. She remains one of the most revered figures in American history.
Career Achievements and Awards
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Supreme Court Jurisprudence: Authored landmark decisions and dissents that shaped civil rights law.
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American Bar Association’s Thurgood Marshall Award: Honored for her contributions to gender equality.
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Radcliffe Medal: Awarded for her transformative impact on society.
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Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture: Recognized for her influence on human rights and law.
Conclusion
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life was defined by resilience, intellect, and a relentless pursuit of justice. Her legal battles paved the way for gender equality, and her tenure on the Supreme Court helped shape modern jurisprudence. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy continues to inspire generations of lawyers, activists, and citizens.
FAQs About Ruth Bader Ginsburg
1. What was Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s net worth?
At the time of her death in 2020, her estimated net worth was around $8 million.
2. Who was Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s husband?
She was married to Martin D. Ginsburg, a tax attorney, from 1954 until his death in 2010.
3. Did Ruth Bader Ginsburg have children?
Yes, she had two children: Jane C. Ginsburg, a law professor, and James S. Ginsburg, a music producer.
4. What books did Ruth Bader Ginsburg write?
She co-authored My Own Words, a collection of her writings and speeches.
5. What was Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s most famous case?
One of her most famous cases was United States v. Virginia (1996), which ruled against gender-based discrimination in military admissions.
6. What movie is based on Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life?
The 2018 film On the Basis of Sex dramatizes her early career and legal battles.
7. How did Ruth Bader Ginsburg pass away?
She died from complications of pancreatic cancer on September 18, 2020, at the age of 87.
