Judge Judy & Jerry Sheindlin: Divorced and Remarried
America's toughest TV judge proved that sometimes divorce is just a comma, not a period.
Key Facts
What Happened
Judy Sheindlin, already a prominent New York Family Court judge, married fellow judge Jerry Sheindlin in 1977. Their marriage was a partnership of two legal minds who shared a courtroom worldview but not always emotional wavelengths. For 13 years, they built a life together while each pursued demanding judicial careers.
In 1990, following the death of Judy's father, the marriage cracked. Judy felt she was not receiving the emotional support she needed during her grief, and the couple divorced. It was a painful decision driven by emotional disconnection rather than any acrimonious dispute over money or misconduct. Jerry later admitted that he missed Judy from the very first week they were separated.
The separation lasted roughly a year. Jerry reached out, and the two agreed to a date. The reconnection was swift and genuine. By 1991, Judy and Jerry remarried, beginning a second chapter that would last over three decades. Jerry has spoken openly about how the brief divorce taught him never to take the relationship for granted.
Their story is remarkably rare in the world of celebrity divorce: a couple who used the crisis of separation as a catalyst for genuine change rather than permanent estrangement. Judge Judy has since become the highest-paid personality in television history, and Jerry has remained by her side throughout, proving that sometimes the hardest legal ruling is the one you make about your own heart.
Legal Breakdown: Divorce does not always have to be the final chapter
Grief-Driven Divorce
The Sheindlin divorce was triggered by grief and emotional disconnection rather than financial disputes or infidelity. The death of a parent can profoundly destabilize a marriage, especially when spouses grieve differently. Courts and mediators increasingly recognize grief as a factor in divorce proceedings.
Remarriage After Divorce
Roughly 6% of divorced couples eventually remarry each other. The Sheindlins are among the most famous examples. Legally, remarrying a former spouse is straightforward, but it requires careful consideration of whether the issues that caused the original divorce have truly been resolved.
No Adversarial Settlement Needed
Because the Sheindlin divorce was driven by emotional rather than financial conflict, there was no bitter settlement battle. This is the exception rather than the rule, but it demonstrates that not every divorce must be adversarial.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Grief and loss can destabilize even strong marriages; recognize when emotional disconnection, not fundamental incompatibility, is driving conflict.
- →Divorce does not have to be permanent; some couples use separation as a wake-up call that leads to genuine change.
- →Not every divorce requires an adversarial settlement; when both parties are reasonable, the process can be straightforward.
- →If considering reconciliation, address the root causes of the divorce before remarrying to avoid repeating the same patterns.
Going Through a Divorce?
Get confidential guidance tailored to your situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Related Cases
Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner
United States · 2018
They announced separation in 2015 but did not finalize the divorce until 2018 — a strategic delay
OtherJay-Z (Shawn Carter) & Beyonce Knowles-Carter
United States · 2016
She turned infidelity into a masterpiece. He confessed on his own album. They stayed married.
OtherKenny Rogers & Marianne Gordon
United States · 1993
After 16 years, she walked away with $60 million — making it one of the biggest country music divorces ever
OtherWas this helpful? Help us keep it free.
divorce911.ai is funded entirely by donations. Every dollar keeps the AI assistant and 1,700+ guides free for people in crisis.
Know someone going through a divorce? This could help them.
This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.