Who was the female judge that died on the Supreme Court?

Asked by: Dr. Donavon Wiegand Sr.  |  Last update: April 19, 2026
Score: 5/5 (37 votes)

The female Supreme Court Justice who died was Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an iconic advocate for gender equality, who served from 1993 until her passing from complications of pancreatic cancer on September 18, 2020, at age 87, becoming the second woman to serve on the Court after Sandra Day O'Connor.

Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg still on the Supreme Court when she died?

Joan Ruth Bader Ginsburg (/ˈbeɪdər ˈɡɪnzbɜːrɡ/ BAY-dər GHINZ-burg; née Bader; March 15, 1933 – September 18, 2020) was an American lawyer and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death in 2020.

What caused judge Scalia's death?

Justice Antonin Scalia's official cause of death was myocardial infarction (heart attack), listed as a result of natural causes on his death certificate after he was found dead in his room at a Texas ranch in February 2016; no autopsy was performed as the family declined, and officials confirmed no signs of foul play, with his doctor noting pre-existing conditions like sleep apnea and high blood pressure.
 

How many husbands did Ruth Ginsburg have?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice,

was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 15, 1933. She married Martin D. Ginsburg in 1954, and has a daughter, Jane, and a son, James.

What is Ruth Bader Ginsburg most famous for?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) is most known for her pioneering work as a champion for gender equality and women's rights, fighting sex discrimination as a lawyer and later as a Supreme Court Justice, known for her sharp legal mind, powerful dissents (earning her the nickname "The Notorious RBG"), and significant contributions to establishing equal rights under law, including landmark rulings like United States v. Virginia.
 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Second Woman on Supreme Court, Dies at 87

39 related questions found

What was Ruth Bader Ginsburg's most famous quote?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's most famous quote, embodying her fight for gender equality, is: "When I'm sometimes asked, 'When will there be enough [women on the Supreme Court]?' and I say, 'When there are nine,' people are shocked. But there'd been nine men, and nobody's ever raised a question about that.". Other widely recognized quotes include her advice to "Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you," and her vision for equality: "Women will have achieved true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation".
 

Did Ruth Bader Ginsburg support LGBTQ?

Yes, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) was a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, consistently voting for equality and laying the legal groundwork for many landmark cases, viewing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as contrary to equal justice, and even officiating same-sex marriages. Her career, from her work with the ACLU Women's Rights Project to her Supreme Court opinions, championed equality for marginalized groups, making her a vital ally for the LGBTQ+ community. 

How old was Ruth Bader Ginsburg when she had a baby?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was 22 years old when she had her first baby, daughter Jane, in 1955, having graduated college and married Martin Ginsburg the year before. She was pregnant with her first child at age 21 while working for the Social Security Administration. 

Can a sitting president remove a Supreme Court justice?

No, a President cannot remove a Supreme Court Justice; only Congress can remove a Justice through the impeachment process, requiring a House vote to impeach and a Senate conviction for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors," as Justices hold office "during good Behaviour" (lifetime tenure unless removed). 

Which Supreme Court justice died on a hunting trip?

— -- The owner of the Texas ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died of natural causes Saturday while on a quail hunting trip said Scalia was "animated" and a "delightful guest" the night before his death.

What was found in Elvis' blood when he died?

The Commercial Appeal later reported that lab reports indicated that 14 drugs were found in Presley's blood at the time of his death, including "near toxic levels" of codeine, morphine, Placidyl and other prescription drugs.

Who was the shortest serving Supreme Court justice?

Which Chief Justice served the shortest Term? The shortest serving Chief Justice was John Rutledge who was appointed under a temporary commission because the Senate was in recess. He served for 5 months and 14 days before the Senate reconvened and rejected his nomination. Who was the longest serving Associate Justice?

Can the president change the number of Supreme Court justices?

No, the President cannot unilaterally change the number of Supreme Court Justices; that power belongs to Congress, which can pass a law (like the Judiciary Acts) to alter the size, and the President would then sign it, but the President cannot just add justices on their own. Congress sets the number of justices, and while historically it's been nine since 1869, they have the constitutional authority to change it through legislation, though doing so for purely political reasons (like "court packing") is controversial and has never succeeded, notes Stevens & Lee and NBC News. 

Who was the first woman to argue before the Supreme Court?

Arguing Before the Court

In November 1880, Belva Lockwood became the first woman to argue before the Supreme Court when she appeared in Kaiser v. Stickney, 102 U.S. 176 (1880). The case concerned a $16,000 debt owed by Lockwood's client, Caroline Kaiser.

Can a president overturn a Supreme Court ruling?

No, the President cannot directly overturn a Supreme Court decision; only the Court itself (through a new ruling), the Constitution (via amendment), or new legislation by Congress can overturn a major ruling, though Presidents can try to influence future decisions by appointing new justices or challenge rulings through appeals, and historically, some have selectively enforced or ignored certain rulings, as seen with Lincoln and the Dred Scott case. 

Do you have to go to law school to be on the Supreme Court?

A Justice does not have to be a lawyer or a law school graduate, but all Justices have been trained in the law. Many of the 18th and 19th century Justices studied law under a mentor because there were few law schools in the country. The last Justice to be appointed who did not attend any law school was James F.

Can the president fire the vice president?

The Constitution of the United States gives Congress the authority to remove the vice president of the United States from office in two separate proceedings.

What famous words did Ruth Bader Ginsburg always say?

“Fight for the things that you care about. But do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” “Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don't do it just for yourself.

How many husbands did Ruth Bader Ginsburg have?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was married only once, to Martin D. Ginsburg, in 1954, and they remained together for 56 years until his death in 2010. Their marriage was known as a strong intellectual and personal partnership.
 

What happened to Ruth 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.

Who is the biggest supporter of LGBTQ?

The Top Ten Corporate Funders of LGBTQ Issues

  • M.A.C. AIDS Fund – $964,239.
  • GE Foundation – $350,000.
  • Walmart Foundation – $281,500.
  • Otto Bremer Foundation – $275,000.
  • Alphawood Foundation – $195,000.
  • Greater Seattle Business Association – $182,000.
  • Macy's Foundation – $139,444.
  • Verizon Foundation – $139,240.

Did Ruth Bader Ginsburg have a good relationship with her husband?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said that Marty was "the only man who cared I had a brain." Their 56-year marriage was built on mutual respect and support. In the 1950s, when women faced discrimination in law, Ruth was an exception. She was brilliant, but most men found her ambition threatening.

Why did Ruth Bader Ginsburg transfer out of Harvard?

Her husband recovered from cancer, graduated from Harvard, and moved to New York City to accept a position at a law firm there. Ruth Bader Ginsburg had one more year of law school left, so she transferred to Columbia Law School and served on their law review as well.