Jeanine Pirro is a prominent American attorney, television host, author, and former judge who has shaped public discourse for decades. Born on June 2, 1951, in Elmira, New York, she is 75 years old. Her path stretches from early legal ambitions in upstate New York to prosecuting high-profile domestic violence cases, presiding over county court, anchoring a weekend legal show on Fox News, and serving as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.
Understanding her background requires looking past simple television celebrity. Her career bridges traditional courtroom prosecution, local politics, media commentary, and federal prosecution. This detailed review covers her upbringing, early courtroom milestones, political campaigns, media career, and federal appointment.
Early Life and Education
Jeanine Ferris was born to Nasser and Esther Ferris. Her father sold mobile homes and her mother worked as a department store model. From a young age, she set her sights on a legal career, reportedly deciding to become an attorney at just six years old.
She attended Notre Dame High School in Elmira, completing her graduation requirements in an accelerated three-year timeframe. During high school, she gained practical exposure by interning at the local District Attorney's office. She then pursued higher education at the University at Buffalo, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. Following undergraduate studies, she enrolled at Albany Law School, where she served as an editor of the Albany Law Review and earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1975.
Early Legal Career and Westchester County Bench
Right out of law school in 1975, Pirro joined the Westchester County District Attorney's office as an Assistant District Attorney. She initially managed smaller caseloads before moving into specialized prosecution. In 1978, she became the founding chief of the county's Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Bureau. This newly formed unit was one of the first of its kind in the region, focusing specifically on crimes involving family violence and child endangerment.
Her courtroom reputation during these years was defined by aggressive prosecution and advocacy for victims. Her work in this bureau caught the attention of state officials, leading to broader advisory roles on domestic abuse legislation under New York governors.
In November 1990, Pirro transitioned from prosecutor to the judiciary when she was elected as a judge for the Westchester County Court. This election marked a historic milestone: she was the first female judge ever to sit on that bench.
Westchester County District Attorney
After serving on the county court, Pirro ran for higher office. In 1993, she was elected as the District Attorney of Westchester County. Similar to her judicial milestone, this victory made her the first woman to hold the district attorney position in the county. She won re-election twice, serving successive terms in 1997 and 2001.
As district attorney, she gained national media attention during high-profile local homicide investigations, such as the Anne Scripps Douglas case. These high-stakes cases frequently landed her as a legal commentator on national networks during major trials of the 1990s, including the O.J. Simpson proceedings. Her office also concentrated heavily on elder abuse, consumer fraud, and internet safety for children.
Political Campaigns in New York
Pirro's ambitions extended beyond county-level office into statewide New York politics. In 1986, she was initially selected as the lieutenant gubernatorial running mate on the Republican ticket, though she withdrew shortly after amid public scrutiny regarding her husband's business ties.
Decades later, in 2005, she launched a high-profile campaign for the United States Senate, aiming to unseat incumbent Democrat Hillary Clinton. During her announcement speech, a memorable unscripted pause occurred when she momentarily lost a page of her remarks. She withdrew from the Senate race a few months later.
The following year, in 2006, she secured the Republican nomination to run for New York Attorney General. She faced off against Democrat Andrew Cuomo in the general election and ultimately lost.
Transition to Television and Books
Following her tenure as district attorney and her statewide political campaigns, Pirro pivoted fully into media and entertainment. She hosted her own syndicated daytime court show, Judge Jeanine Pirro, which ran from 2008 to 2011 on The CW network and won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2011 before its cancellation due to ratings shifts.
In 2011, she joined the Fox News Channel to host Justice with Judge Jeanine, a weekly program analyzing major legal and political headlines. The show ran for over a decade until January 2022. Following the conclusion of that program, she became a permanent co-host on the weekday roundtable discussion show The Five. In addition to her television work, she has authored several books focusing on crime, justice, and political commentary.
Federal Appointment
In May 2025, Pirro returned to active government service. President Donald Trump appointed her as the interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. She was sworn in later that month and subsequently confirmed by the United States Senate to the permanent role in August 2025. In this capacity, she oversees federal prosecutions and legal representation for the government within the nation's capital.
Personal Life
Pirro married Albert J. Pirro, a tax attorney, in 1975. The couple shared two children together, including an attorney daughter named Christi. After decades of marriage, the couple divorced in 2013. Her personal life has occasionally intersected with public media scrutiny, particularly regarding her former husband's legal challenges. In early 2026, she made news headlines after filing a civil lawsuit in Westchester County regarding an accidental trip and fall incident at a local construction site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Judge Jeanine Pirro's exact age?
She was born on June 2, 1951, making her 75 years old.
Did she actually work as a judge?
Yes. She was elected as a judge for the Westchester County Court in New York in 1990, becoming the first female judge to serve on that bench.
What was her role on Fox News?
She hosted the weekend program Justice with Jeanine from 2011 until 2022, and she later transitioned to become a co-host on the daily panel show The Five.
What is her current professional role?
She serves as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, a federal appointment she assumed in 2025.
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