Judge Judy, which first premiered in 1996, is the highest-rated courtroom program in the United States, averaging roughly 9 million viewers a day Dave Quinn is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE.

Judge Judy Sheindlin is currently worth an estimated $480 million, according to Forbes, but before the popular daytime decision-maker made it big on court TV, Sheindlin struggled to make ends meet.

The attorney told PEOPLE exclusively that one role is "worthwhile" and the other is "a lot more fun" Judith Sheindlin, a.k.a.

Judge Judy Sheindlin at the most recent Her Honor luncheon imparted some wisdom to high schoolers as they prepare for the professional world. "Once a woman achieves something professionally or ...