At 73, Jeanine Pirro is a force of nature, a woman who seems to defy the very laws of time. “I worry if there comes a day when maybe I can’t do it,” she confesses, her voice tinged with the vulnerability of someone who knows the clock is ticking. Yet, her relentless work schedule—often stretching until 2 a.m.—tells a different story. From her days as a trailblazing prosecutor and judge to her current roles as a Fox News star and, in a stunning twist, the interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Pirro’s life is a whirlwind of ambition, grit, and unyielding determination. Add to that her roles as a mother, grandmother, and survivor of a high-profile divorce, and you’ve got a woman who doesn’t just spin plates—she juggles flaming torches while tap-dancing on a tightrope.
A Life in Perpetual Motion
Step into Jeanine Pirro’s plush office at News Corp’s midtown Manhattan headquarters, and you’re greeted by a scene that encapsulates her essence: organized chaos. The oak desk is a battlefield of research notes, coffee cups, and scattered liquorice candies, with a small case of jewelry ready for her to select before she hits the set of The Five, Fox News’ top-rated show. Designer outfits by Valentino, Chanel, and Alexander McQueen line the walls, a testament to her polished on-screen presence. Yet, beneath the glamour lies a woman who thrives on the grind. “I enjoy it all,” she declares. “You’re on top of every issue. I’m 24/7. I always have been.”
Pirro’s life has always been a study in perpetual motion. Born in Elmira, New York, to Lebanese-American parents, she knew at age six that she wanted to be a lawyer, inspired by the fictional TV attorney Perry Mason. By her early 20s, fresh out of Albany Law School, she was already making waves as Westchester County’s Assistant District Attorney in 1975. Within two years, she’d convinced her boss to secure federal funding for a groundbreaking domestic violence bureau—the first of its kind in the nation. “Back then, battered women weren’t considered real victims,” she recalls. “Society saw it as a social problem, not a criminal one. But it was my mission.”
Her career skyrocketed from there. In 1990, she became Westchester County’s first female judge, a role she held for three years before realizing, “I don’t belong here. I’m a fighter, not a referee.” So, she ran for District Attorney, winning in 1993 and serving three terms until 2005. Her tenure was marked by fierce advocacy for victims, especially in domestic violence and elder abuse cases. One high-profile case saw her dominating headlines when Anne Scripps Douglas was brutally murdered by her estranged husband in 1993, just hours after Pirro’s inauguration as DA. Her relentless pursuit of justice cemented her reputation as a prosecutor who didn’t back down.
From Courtroom to Camera
Pirro’s transition to television was as bold as her legal career. After an unsuccessful run for New York Attorney General in 2006, where she lost to Andrew Cuomo, Warner Brothers came calling. “I said, ‘Why would you want me on television?’” she laughs, recalling her disbelief. But the move proved prescient. Her show, Judge Jeanine Pirro, debuted in 2008, winning a Daytime Emmy in 2011 for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program. That same year, she inked a deal with Fox News for Justice with Judge Jeanine, which ran for 11 years before she joined The Five in 2022. Her commanding presence and sharp commentary made her a household name, but not without controversy. In 2019, Fox briefly suspended her for inflammatory remarks about Rep. Ilhan Omar, and she was named in a $787.5 million defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems over false 2020 election claims. Yet, Pirro remained unapologetic, her loyalty to Donald Trump unwavering.
That loyalty paid off in May 2025, when Trump tapped her as interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., replacing Ed Martin, whose nomination faltered due to his ties to January 6 rioters. Pirro’s appointment sparked partisan firestorms. Democrats decried her as a “Fox News firebrand” with no federal prosecutorial experience, while Republicans like Sen. Thom Tillis praised her extensive legal resume. At her swearing-in, Pirro vowed, “No more tolerance of hatred. No more mercy for criminals,” signaling her intent to bring her trademark tenacity to the nation’s capital.
A Personal Life Under Scrutiny
Pirro’s professional triumphs have often been overshadowed by personal trials. Her 32-year marriage to Albert Pirro, a powerful New York attorney, was a rollercoaster. The couple met at Albany Law School, drawn together by mutual ambition. “He was the most exciting person I knew,” Pirro once said of Albert, whose charm and activism captivated her. They married in 1975 and had two children, Christi and Alex, now 34 and 35. But their union unraveled when Albert was indicted in 1999 on tax evasion and conspiracy charges, convicted, and sentenced to 17 months in prison. The scandal rocked their marriage, leading to a separation in 2007 and divorce in 2013. In one of his final acts as president in his first term, Trump pardoned Albert, a move that underscored Pirro’s long-standing ties to the former president.
Despite the public fallout, Pirro remains philosophical about love. “I’ve dated fabulous men,” she says, “but it hasn’t worked out.” At 73, she yearns for a softer side of life. “I’d like to put on a pretty dress and go to the opera with someone, to be feminine, not always the tough girl.” Yet, she’s not actively seeking a relationship, preferring to keep her heart open while focusing on her whirlwind life.
Grandmother, Fitness Buff, and Dog Mom
Pirro’s personal life is as full as her professional one. A proud grandmother, she delights in her three-year-old grandson, Cameron, who loves visiting “Tata’s house.” Her Westchester home is a summer haven for her grandkids, and her four rescue dogs—poodles Stella, Ted, Red, and Berne doodle Snickerdoodle—are constant companions. “I have balance,” she insists, though her schedule suggests otherwise. A fitness enthusiast, Pirro posts sweaty gym selfies, her dogs playfully licking her face. But she admits her body protests: “The knee hurts, the ankle hurts. It’s frustrating.” Still, she pushes through, driven by a fear of slowing down. “I can’t do the things I used to,” she says, “but I’ll do everything I can until I can’t.”
The Fear That Fuels Her
At the heart of Pirro’s relentless drive is a poignant fear: the day when her body or mind might betray her. “I absolutely fear the moment this all stops,” she admits, her eyes betraying a flicker of dread. This fear isn’t about losing fame or power—it’s about losing the ability to fight. From her early days challenging the status quo as a female prosecutor to her current role navigating Washington’s legal and political minefields, Pirro has always been a warrior. Her appointment as U.S. Attorney, though interim, is a testament to her refusal to fade quietly. Critics may question her qualifications, pointing to her lack of federal experience or her polarizing Fox News tenure, but supporters see a seasoned prosecutor ready to tackle D.C.’s crime and corruption.
A Legacy of Firsts
Pirro’s career is a litany of firsts: first female judge in Westchester, first female DA, first to establish a domestic violence bureau. She’s never been one to pull up the ladder behind her, always reaching back to help other women. “I realized there were young women behind me, and I had to win,” she says of her first homicide case, a sentiment that echoes through her life. Whether in the courtroom, on TV, or now in D.C., Pirro’s mission remains the same: fight for victims, challenge the system, and never stop moving.
As she prepares for The Five or her new role in Washington, Pirro is a whirlwind in cornflower blue Dior, scribbling notes, selecting jewelry, and fielding calls. Her assistant buzzes with schedules, her dogs wait at home, and her grandkids bring joy to her rare quiet moments. At 73, Jeanine Pirro is still running—because she knows, one day, she might not be able to. Until then, she’ll keep defying age, adversity, and anyone who dares to underestimate her.
