What was Ruth Bader Ginsburg Net Worth?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American lawyer and U.S. Supreme Court justice who had an estimated net worth of $8 million at the time of her death in 2020, based on her final financial disclosure. Her reported wealth ranged between $4 million and $18 million, making her one of the wealthiest justices on the Court during her tenure.
Earlier disclosures show that her wealth fluctuated over time. In 2002, her financial filings estimated a net worth between $8 million and $34 million, although these estimates did not include the value of her Washington, D.C. home.
| Ruth Bader Ginsburg Net Worth | $8 Million |
| Date of Birth | March 15, 1933 |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, New York |
Supreme Court Salary
During her time on the Supreme Court of the United States, Ginsburg earned an annual salary of approximately $255,300 as an associate justice.
Career
Ginsburg served on the Supreme Court from 1993 until her death on September 18, 2020, after being nominated by Bill Clinton. She previously served on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
She was the second woman ever appointed to the Supreme Court and became widely respected for her legal work advancing gender equality and civil rights.
Early Life and Education
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born Joan Ruth Bader on March 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York. A gifted student, she graduated from high school at age 15 and later earned a degree in government from Cornell University in 1954.
She attended Harvard Law School before transferring to Columbia Law School, where she graduated in 1959 at the top of her class.
Legal Career and Women’s Rights Advocacy
Ginsburg struggled to find employment early in her career due to gender discrimination. She later became a pioneering advocate for women’s rights.
In 1972, she co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), helping litigate landmark gender discrimination cases. Her work significantly advanced women’s rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Appointment to the Supreme Court
In 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Ginsburg to replace retiring Justice Byron White. Following confirmation, she became the first Jewish woman and second woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
She authored major decisions, including:
- United States v. Virginia (1996) — advanced gender equality in education
- Olmstead v. L.C. (1999) — strengthened disability rights
- City of Sherrill v. Oneida Indian Nation (2005) — addressed tribal sovereignty
Personal Life
While studying at Cornell, she met her future husband, Martin D. Ginsburg, a tax attorney and law professor. The couple had two children.
Despite serious health challenges, including multiple cancer diagnoses, Ginsburg continued serving on the Court and rarely missed sessions.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Net Worth
Ruth Bader Ginsburg net worth was $8 million when she died in 2025.
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