Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Joan Ruth Bader

Born 15 Mar 1933 Brooklyn, United States

Died 18 Sep 2020 Washington, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 93 yr If Living

9 min read

Reading time

1,670

Words

Oct 15, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Ruth Bader Ginsburg became the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court when she was confirmed on August 3, 1993. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, she was a pioneering advocate for gender equality and co-founded the Women’s Rights Law Reporter. In the 21st century, she gained widespread fame as the Notorious RBG, a nickname referencing the rapper Notorious B.I.G. She died on September 18, 2020 in Washington, D.C. at age 87 from metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Identity & family.

KIN · 3

Names, aliases, and relatives of Ruth Bader Ginsburg — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Joan Ruth Bader

Nicknames The Notorious R.B.G.

Aliases The Ginsburg Family, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Ginsburg, RBG

Spouses: Martin D. Ginsburg
Children: Jane C. Ginsburg James Steven Ginsburg

At a glance.

STATS

Ruth Bader Ginsburg by the numbers — life, work, and family.

87 Years lived

18 Awards

1 Marriage

2 Children

Who was Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

BIOGRAPHY

Ruth Bader Ginsburg — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born Joan Ruth Bader on March 15, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, to Celia and Nathan Bader. Her father was a Russian Jewish emigrant from Podolsk, while her mother was born in New York to Polish Jewish parents. She attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn before enrolling at Cornell University, where she graduated in 1954. At Harvard Law School, she was one of few women. She later transferred to Columbia Law School, graduating tied for first in her class in 1959.

Career

After law school, Ginsburg faced gender discrimination in hiring, but she clerked for a federal judge and later taught at Rutgers Law School. In 1972, she became the first woman law professor at Columbia Law School. That same year, she co-founded the Women’s Rights Law Reporter and served as director of the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Her most significant moment came on August 3, 1993, when President Bill Clinton nominated her to the U.S. Supreme Court, making her the second woman to serve on the high court after Sandra Day O’Connor. She served until her death in 2020, writing influential dissents and becoming a cultural icon.

Personal life

Ginsburg married Martin D. Ginsburg on June 23, 1954; they were married until his death in 2010. They had two children: Jane C. Ginsburg, a law professor, and James Steven Ginsburg, a music producer. She was known for her hobbies including reading, watching classic movies, golfing, water skiing, horseback riding, and opera. She was a four-time cancer survivor, battling colon cancer in 1999, pancreatic cancer in 2009 and 2019, and lung cancer in 2018. She never missed a day on the bench during her treatments.

Legacy

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy extends far beyond the courtroom. She became a cultural icon, inspiring the nickname Notorious RBG and appearing in films such as On the Basis of Sex and the documentary RBG. Her fierce dissents on the Supreme Court, including in cases on voting rights and pay discrimination, earned her a devoted following. Posthumously, she received numerous honors including the Genesis Prize and the Berggruen Prize. She is remembered as a tireless advocate for gender equality and a symbol of resilience and justice.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 18

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Ruth Bader Ginsburg — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Brandeis Medal
National Women's Hall of Fame
honorary doctor of the Ohio State University
Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
honorary doctor of Harvard University
Forbes list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women
Time 100
honorary doctorate from Princeton University
Four Freedoms Award – Freedom Medal
Jefferson Awards for Public Service
Golden Plate Award
Genesis Prize
Margaret Brent Award
Berggruen Prize
honorary doctorate of Lund University
honorary doctor of the Willamette University
Radcliffe Medal
Elizabeth Blackwell Award

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 7

A wall of memorable lines from Ruth Bader Ginsburg — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Frankly, I Had Thought at the Time Roe Was Decided, There Was Concern About Population Growth and Particularly Growth in Populations That We Don’t Want to Have Too Many Of.
The Emphasis Must Be Not on the Right to an Abortion but on the Right of Privacy and Reproductive Control.
You Would Have a Huge Statelessness Problem If You Don’t Consider a Child Born Abroad a U.S. Citizen.
I Would Not Look to the U.S. Constituon If I Were Drafting a Constitution in 2012.
I Do Hope That Some of My Dissents Will One Day Be the Law.
It Helps Sometimes to Be a Little Deaf.
My Most Fervent Wish Is That I Will Not Be Replaced Until a New President Is Installed.

Did you know?

FACTS · 13

Little-known facts about Ruth Bader Ginsburg — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Ginsburg underwent colon cancer surgery in 1999, followed by radiation and chemotherapy, yet she never missed a day on the bench.
Confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 3, 1993, and beginning service on August 10, 1993, Ginsburg was appointed by President Bill Clinton as the second woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, after Sandra Day O’Connor.
She underwent surgery on February 5, 2009 for pancreatic cancer.
She lived in Washington, D.C., while serving as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ginsburg was the daughter of Celia Amster and Nathan Bader, a merchant. Her father was a Russian Jewish emigrant from Podolsk, and her mother was born in New York to Polish Jewish parents.
In the 21st century, Ginsburg became a pop culture phenomenon, nicknamed Notorious RBG after the rapper Notorious B.I.G.
Ginsburg was a four-time cancer survivor, undergoing cancer treatment twice in 2019, including a three-week radiation treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in New York City for pancreatic cancer.
She was the grandmother of actor Paul Spera.
On December 21, 2018, Ginsburg underwent a pulmonary lobectomy in New York City to remove two cancerous nodules from her lung.
She served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from June 30, 1980 to August 10, 1993.
She received many Notorious RBG t-shirts as gifts from admirers.
Ginsburg listed seven hobbies: reading, watching classic movies, golfing, water skiing, horseback riding, and opera.
In 1972, Ginsburg became the first woman law professor at Columbia Law School.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 25

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

What is Ruth Bader Ginsburg's birth date?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born on March 15, 1933. She was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Her birth name was Joan Ruth Bader.
Where was Ruth Bader Ginsburg born?

She was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. Her parents were Celia and Nathan Bader.
When did Ruth Bader Ginsburg die?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on September 18, 2020. She passed away in Washington, District of Columbia, USA at the age of 87.
How old was Ruth Bader Ginsburg when she died?

She was 87 years old when she died. She was born in 1933 and died in 2020.
Where did Ruth Bader Ginsburg die?

She died in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. Her death was due to metastatic pancreatic cancer.
How did Ruth Bader Ginsburg die?

She died from metastatic pancreatic cancer. She had battled multiple cancer diagnoses over the years, including colon, lung, and pancreatic cancer.
What was Ruth Bader Ginsburg's real name?

Her birth name was Joan Ruth Bader. She was known as Ruth Bader Ginsburg after marriage.
What nationality was Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

She was a citizen of the United States. She served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Who was Ruth Bader Ginsburg married to?

She was married to Martin D. Ginsburg. They married on June 23, 1954 and remained together until his death in 2010.
Did Ruth Bader Ginsburg have children?

Yes, she had two children: Jane C. Ginsburg and James Steven Ginsburg. Jane is a law professor and James is a music producer.
Where did Ruth Bader Ginsburg go to school?

She attended James Madison High School, Cornell University, Harvard Law School, and Columbia Law School. She graduated from Columbia Law School tied for first in her class in 1959.
What awards did Ruth Bader Ginsburg win?

She won numerous awards including the Brandeis Medal, National Women’s Hall of Fame, honorary doctorates, the Genesis Prize, and the Berggruen Prize. She was also on Forbes list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women and Time 100.
How many awards did Ruth Bader Ginsburg win?

She won 18 major awards, including the Golden Plate Award and the Elizabeth Blackwell Award.
What was Ruth Bader Ginsburg best known for?

She is best known for serving as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and for her appearances on shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and in films like On the Basis of Sex.
How tall was Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

She was 5 feet 1 inch 1.54 meters tall. Her height was often noted in contrast to her powerful presence.
What was Ruth Bader Ginsburg's nickname and how did she get it?

Her nickname was The Notorious R.B.G. It was inspired by the rapper Notorious B.I.G. and reflected her rebellious and popular status as a Supreme Court justice.
What other names was Ruth Bader Ginsburg known by?

She was also known as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Ginsburg, RBG, and part of The Ginsburg Family. These names were used in different contexts, such as formal legal settings or pop culture references.
What films feature Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

She appeared in films such as The Jewish Americans, Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg, The Automat, and RBG. She also appeared in documentaries like Fahrenheit 9/11 and Capitalism: a Love Story.
Who were Ruth Bader Ginsburg's grandchildren?

She had a grandson named Paul Spera, who is an actor. Not much else is known about her grandchildren.
What were Ruth Bader Ginsburg's hobbies?

Her hobbies included reading, watching classic movies, golfing, water skiing, horseback riding, and opera. She enjoyed these activities throughout her life.
How many cancers did Ruth Bader Ginsburg survive?

She survived four cancer diagnoses: colon cancer in 1999, pancreatic cancer in 2009 and 2019, and lung cancer in 2018. She underwent surgery and treatment each time.
What film about Ruth Bader Ginsburg was released in 2018?

The film On the Basis of Sex, released on December 25, 2018, depicts her early career as a lawyer fighting for gender equality. She appeared as herself in a cameo.
What was the origin of the nickname Notorious RBG?

The nickname started on social media, comparing her to the rapper Notorious B.I.G. due to her fierce dissents and popular culture status. It was embraced by fans and even by Ginsburg herself.
What law schools did Ruth Bader Ginsburg attend?

She attended Harvard Law School and later transferred to Columbia Law School, where she graduated in 1959. She was one of the first women to attend Harvard Law.
What was Ruth Bader Ginsburg's first major appointment?

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She served there until her Supreme Court appointment in 1993.

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Audited & updated by

Olivia has 6 years of experience writing biographical profiles and still approaches every subject like it's the first one. She covers everyone from debut musicians to Hall of Fame athletes to novelists most people have never heard of. She finds something worth reading in all of them. Her drafts tend to come in already clean, which her editor appreciates. She says good writing is just good thinking written down. Hard to argue with that.

Published on October 15, 2026

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