Which U.S. Supreme Court justice died?
Asked by: Mortimer Kihn | Last update: June 18, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (40 votes)
Retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter died at age 85 on May 8, 2025, according to a press release from the Supreme Court. He served on the Court from 1990 until his retirement in 2009. Prior to this, notable deaths of sitting justices included Ruth Bader Ginsburg (2020) and Antonin Scalia (2016).
How many husbands did Ruth Bader Ginsburg have?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice,
She married Martin D. Ginsburg in 1954, and has a daughter, Jane, and a son, James. She received her B.A. from Cornell University, attended Harvard Law School, and received her LL. B.
Why did David Souter leave the Supreme Court?
Souter apparently became satisfied that no other justices planned to retire at the end of the Supreme Court's term in June 2009. As a result, in mid-April 2009 he privately notified the White House of his intent to retire at the conclusion of that term.
Who was the Supreme Court justice that died during Obama?
Antonin Gregory Scalia (March 11, 1936 – February 13, 2016) was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1986 until his death in 2016. He was described as the intellectual anchor for the originalist and textualist position in the Court's conservative wing.
How old was Ruth Bader Ginsburg when she had a baby?
At age 21, Ruth Bader Ginsburg worked for the Social Security Administration office in Oklahoma, where she was demoted after becoming pregnant with her first child. She gave birth to a daughter in 1955.
Scalia, Supreme Court Justice, Dies at Age 79
What famous words did Ruth Bader Ginsburg always say?
8 Unforgettable Quotes from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.”
- “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
Has any president ignored a Supreme Court ruling?
Yes, U.S. presidents have historically ignored or defied Supreme Court rulings, though direct, open disobedience of a final order is rare. The most prominent examples involve Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln, who took actions that challenged or ignored the judicial branch during significant political or wartime crises.
What is considered the worst Supreme Court case ever?
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) is widely considered the worst Supreme Court decision in U.S. history, famously described as the Court's "greatest self-inflicted wound". It held that African Americans could not be citizens and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in territories, directly accelerating the Civil War.
What religion is Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a proud Jewish woman who, while not strictly devout in her daily observance, deeply integrated Jewish values and culture into her life and legal career. She frequently cited the Jewish tradition of "tzedek, tzedek, tirdof" (justice, justice shall you pursue) as a guiding principle in her pursuit of equality.
How many wives has Clarence Thomas had?
Clarence Thomas has been married twice. He married his first wife, Kathy Ambush, in 1971 (divorced 1984) and his current wife, Ginni Thomas (Virginia Lamp), in 1987.
What was Sonia Sotomayor diagnosed with?
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age seven. She has managed this chronic, insulin-dependent condition throughout her life, including while serving on the nation's highest court, where she often uses a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and takes insulin injections.
Can a president overrule the Supreme Court in the USA?
No, the President of the United States cannot directly overrule or overturn a Supreme Court decision. Under the U.S. Constitution's system of separation of powers, the Supreme Court is the final arbiter on constitutional interpretation, and the President has no legal authority to revoke their rulings.
Why did RBG wear collars?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s collars, or jabots, were worn over her judicial robes to add a feminine element to a traditionally masculine uniform and to convey coded messages about her legal stance. The most famous, a spiky Banana Republic necklace, was her "dissent collar," signifying opposition, while a yellow gold collar represented majority opinions.
Who is the longest member of the Supreme Court?
William O. Douglas holds the record as the longest-serving Supreme Court justice, with a tenure of 36 years and 209 days (1939–1975). As of May 2026, current Justice Clarence Thomas is the second-longest serving justice in history, having served over 34 years since 1991.
What happened to Ruth Bader Ginsburg's daughter?
Editing briefs arguably inspired Jane to follow in her parents' footsteps as she ultimately pursued a career in literary and artistic property law. Jane is currently the faculty director of Columbia University's Kernochan Center for Law, Media, and the Arts, according to her university bio.
What does "oye oye oye" mean in court?
"Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!" (pronounced oh-yay) is a traditional call used in courtrooms, particularly the Supreme Court, to command silence and attention before a session begins. Originating from Law French, it translates to "Hear ye!" and is shouted three times by a bailiff or marshal.
What is the stupidest court case?
1: Spilling the (Coffee) Beans
When she contacted McDonald's about compensating her for the medical bills, the restaurant chain took her to court. After a weeklong trial, the jury awarded Liebeck $160,000 in compensatory damages and $2.7 million in punitive damages, which a court later reduced to $480,000.
Who is the greatest judge of all time?
John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States (1801–1835), is most frequently cited by historians and legal scholars as the greatest judge of all time. His work, particularly in Marbury v. Madison, established the principle of judicial review, cementing the Supreme Court's power.
Can Trump be removed from office?
Four scenarios for the removal of Trump from office had been posited by members of Congress, members of Trump's cabinet, political commentators, or legal scholars: resignation, the invocation of the 14th Amendment, invocation of the 25th Amendment, or impeachment and conviction.
What are 5 things the president can't do?
Based on the U.S. Constitution and security protocols, the President cannot unilaterally make laws, declare war, or decide how federal money is spent. They also cannot interpret laws (a duty of the Supreme Court) or appoint Cabinet members and Supreme Court Justices without Senate approval.
How many of Trump's executive orders have been revoked?
As of early 2026, over 70 executive orders from Donald Trump's first term (2017–2021) were revoked. In his second term (beginning Jan 2025), at least 11 specific executive orders have been struck down by courts as of April 2025, with over 200 injunctions issued against administration actions.
What is the U.S. president's salary?
As of May 2026, the President of the United States earns a base salary of $400,000 per year, paid monthly, along with a $50,000 non-taxable expense allowance. This salary has remained unchanged since 1999.
Do justices get paid after retirement?
(a) generally, substituting "may retire from the office after attaining the age and meeting the service requirements, whether continuous or otherwise, of subsection (c) and shall, during the remainder of his lifetime, receive an annuity equal to the salary he was receiving at the time he retired" for "who resigns after ...
Is the president's salary taxable?
Yes, the President of the United States' annual salary of $400,000 is considered taxable income subject to federal and state income taxes, as well as Medicare and Social Security withholding. However, the additional $50,000 expense allowance provided for official duties is not included in gross income and is not taxed.