Judge Jeanine Pirro, once one of Fox News’ wealthiest anchors, is known for her lavish lifestyle, but her life has been far from easy. Now serving as the U.S. Attorney for D.C., Pirro has faced numerous heartbreaking moments, from a tumultuous marriage to professional scandals, many of which unfolded in the public eye.
A Troubled Marriage to Albert Pirro
Jeanine married Albert “Al” Pirro in 1975, but their relationship faced significant challenges starting in the late 1980s. In 1986, while Jeanine was running for lieutenant governor of New York, Al’s business ties raised red flags. According to *The New York Times*, Al’s refusal to disclose his clients and associates, some of whom were linked to the mafia-controlled garbage industry, led Jeanine to withdraw her candidacy just two days after securing the Republican nomination.
Al’s troubles continued to impact Jeanine’s career. In 1993, she became Westchester district attorney, but in 1997, Al faced bribery allegations, followed by tax fraud charges in 1999. In 2002, he was convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to 29 months in prison. Many questioned how Jeanine, given her role, was unaware of his dealings. She responded to *The New York Times*, “This isn’t the 1950s. I don’t ask my husband about his day when he walks in the door.”
Albert Pirro’s Infidelity
Adding to Jeanine’s public struggles, Al was revealed to have fathered a child with another woman during their marriage. Between 1995 and 1998, Al faced court battles over child support, and a DNA test confirmed his paternity. Jeanine admitted to *The New York Times* that the betrayal was devastating, saying, “It was hard to deal with when he admitted he’d been with this woman 16 years ago.” Despite the public scandal, she focused on her work and children, stating, “I’m human, and I hurt, but I won’t drown in self-pity. Life goes on.” She also requested that Al consult her before introducing their children to his daughter, though it’s unclear if this happened.
Another Scandal Involving Infidelity
The trust in Jeanine and Al’s marriage was shattered, and in 2005, suspecting another affair, Jeanine discussed bugging Al’s boat with private security consultant Bernie Kerrik. Unbeknownst to her, Kerrik was under investigation, and their conversation was recorded. Jeanine also mentioned her belief that Al’s scandals had cost her a chance at becoming New York’s governor. The issue surfaced during her 2006 campaign for New York attorney general, leading her to address the media. She clarified, “I was angry and had him followed to confirm my suspicions. I considered taping him, but no wiretapping happened. It was just frustration” (*CBS News*).
Jeanine lost the election, and tensions with Al worsened. In a 2006 *New York Times* interview, Al blamed Jeanine’s career for his infidelities and complained about its impact on his own professional life. The couple separated in 2007 and divorced in 2013.
Ups and Downs in Jeanine’s TV Career
Jeanine transitioned to television after her separation, as Al had long encouraged her to leave public service (*New York Post*). In 2008, she launched *Judge Jeanine Pirro* on The CW, which ran successfully until its viewership dropped, leading to its cancellation in 2011 during its fourth season. She then joined Fox News, hosting *Justice with Judge Jeanine* for over a decade. However, her 2017 show *You The Jury* was canceled after just two episodes, a failure that went largely unnoticed for weeks (*Deadline*).
In 2019, *Justice with Judge Jeanine* was briefly taken off the air after Pirro questioned whether Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s hijab indicated adherence to Sharia law, which she called “antithetical to the U.S. Constitution” (*ABC News*). The comments drew accusations of Islamophobia, and Fox publicly criticized her. Later that year, during a radio interview with Sebastian Gorka, Pirro was caught on a hot mic expressing fear that another misstep could cost her job.
Jeanine’s Cancer Battle
In 2017, Jeanine revealed on *Justice with Judge Jeanine* that she had battled cancer in 2012, a diagnosis she kept private at the time. She shared the toll of her treatment, saying, “I did my show every weekend without eyebrows, eyelashes, and wearing a wig.” She mentioned her diagnosis to criticize the U.S. for exporting uranium instead of using it to produce Moly 99, a substance used in cancer diagnostics. While her specific cancer type remains undisclosed, early detection allowed her to undergo successful treatment.
The Loss of Jeanine’s Mother
Tragically, Jeanine’s mother, Esther Ferris, also faced cancer. In April 2019, Jeanine announced on X that her mother had passed away from pancreatic cancer. She shared, “My inspiration, my hero, my mom, Esther Ferris, passed this morning as I held her close.” Instead of flowers, Jeanine requested donations to the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA, noting her mother’s love for rescue animals. In a statement via Graham Funeral Home, Jeanine described her mother as her “best friend” and credited her for inspiring her career, saying, “My mother stood up for victims and the abused before it was common. She influenced me and everyone around her.”
Despite enduring personal losses, marital turmoil, and career setbacks, Jeanine Pirro has shown resilience. As she told *The New York Times* in 2008, “Life is full of ups and downs. I’ve been through it many times. You don’t dwell on what could’ve been—you move forward.”
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