Additional Coverage:
- Judge Judy Turns 83: The ‘Ridiculous Mistake’ She Believes People Make as They Get Older (parade.com)
Happy 83rd Birthday to Judge Judy, Still Dispensing Wisdom!
Local legal legend and television personality Judith Sheindlin, better known to millions as Judge Judy, celebrated her 83rd birthday on Tuesday, October 21st. While her days presiding over a courtroom TV show may be behind her, Sheindlin continues to be a fount of no-nonsense advice and sharp observations.
Throughout her impressive career, Sheindlin has made numerous appearances on podcasts and television shows, sharing the wisdom she’s gathered from years of serving justice. One particularly memorable moment came during a 2016 appearance on The Ellen Show, where she candidly discussed what she believes is a “ridiculous mistake” people make as they age.
“I think that as you get older, you realize that there are very few really important things. Your health, your family’s health, the world around you,” Sheindlin stated, emphasizing a shift in perspective that comes with maturity.
She then critiqued those who “fight over the minutia and ruin their lives…fighting over whether or not a button came back wrong on the shirt or whether somebody stole your mother’s tea service when she was moving her apartment.” According to Sheindlin, getting bogged down in such trivial matters allows them to “take control of your life,” a “ridiculous mistake” that prevents people from seeing the bigger picture.
Sheindlin also offered pointed advice, especially for women, lamenting the pattern she’s observed where “far too many ladies form a relationship with ‘schlubs and worthless pieces of trash’ just because they want a family.” She painted a stark picture of the consequences: “They turn around, give them the keys to their car, invite them to move in, give them a credit card and they’re surprised one day when their car is gone, their credit card is maxed and they’re alone.”
Sheindlin stressed the critical importance of financial independence for women, urging them to break this cycle. “What I’m telling you is, you don’t necessarily have to use your craft or use your career, but you have to be prepared. Because if you’re not prepared then you’re stuck, and more women have to accept lifestyles that are unpleasant because they are financially stuck,” she concluded, delivering a powerful message about self-sufficiency and empowerment.
Even at 83, Judge Judy’s sharp wit and practical wisdom continue to resonate, proving that some advice truly is timeless.