Martin David Ginsburg (June 10, 1932 – June 27, 2010) was an American tax attorney, professor of law, and the spouse of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He was recognized as one of the leading tax scholars of his era and instructed at numerous prestigious law schools. He held a tenured faculty position at Georgetown University Law Centre until his passing and also served as a visiting instructor at Columbia, NYU, Stanford, the University of Chicago, and Harvard.
He practiced as counsel at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson in Washington, D.C., and authored significant texts on mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and tax legislation. Martin was celebrated for his keen intellect, dry wit, and unwavering support for his spouse. He often took on cooking and childcare duties, enabling Ruth to concentrate on her legal profession. He triumphed over testicular cancer in his twenties, raised two children with Ruth, and remained her closest confidant until he succumbed to metastatic cancer in 2010.
Here is a brief summary of essential details regarding Martin Ginsburg:
| Full Name | Martin David Ginsburg |
| Date of Birth | June 10, 1932 |
| Date of Death | June 27, 2010 |
| Age at Death | 78 years |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York City, United States |
| Height | About 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) |
| Spouse | Ruth Bader Ginsburg (married June 23, 1954 – his death 2010) |
| Children | Two: Jane Carol Ginsburg (born 1955), James Steven Ginsburg (born 1965) |
| Net Worth at Death (2010 estimate) | About $8–$12 million (mainly from legal practice, teaching salary, book royalties, investments, and joint family assets) |
| Most Famous For | Prominent tax law scholar; cherished husband and supporter of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; survivor of testicular cancer; skilled amateur French chef |
Biography of Martin Ginsburg
Martin David Ginsburg was born on June 10, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Evelyn Bayer Ginsburg and Morris Ginsburg, a department store executive. He was raised in Rockville Centre, Long Island, in a Jewish household, and attended South Side High School. Martin excelled academically with a knack for numbers and reasoning. He enrolled at Cornell University, majoring in chemistry and achieving an A.B. degree in 1953. At Cornell, he was also notable on the golf team.
Following his graduation, Martin became an Army Reserve officer through ROTC. In 1954, he was activated and served two years at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During this period, he wedded Joan Ruth Bader (later recognized as Ruth Bader Ginsburg) on June 23, 1954, soon after her own graduation from Cornell. They connected at Cornell and chose to pursue law studies together. In 1956, Martin transferred to Harvard Law School, enabling Ruth to enroll as well. During his third year at Harvard, Martin faced a diagnosis of testicular cancer. He underwent two major surgeries and radiation treatment yet continued his studies amid serious health challenges. He graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. in 1958.
After law school, Martin joined the New York firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, swiftly gaining a reputation as a gifted tax attorney. He was admitted to the New York bar in 1959 and the D.C. bar in 1980. From 1967 to 1979, he served as an adjunct professor at New York University Law School. In 1979, he became the Charles Keller Beekman Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, then transferred to Georgetown University Law Centre in 1980, where he taught until his passing in 2010. He also held visiting professor positions at Stanford, Harvard, the University of Chicago, and NYU.
Further Information…
Martin’s legal practice centered on corporate taxation, mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and spousal transfers. He co-authored the comprehensive treatise Mergers, Acquisitions, and Buyouts, which continues to be a standard reference in tax law. In 1971, he represented Ross Perot in a business matter, initiating a long-standing friendship. When Ruth was nominated to the D.C. Circuit in 1980, Martin enlisted Perot and other associates to assist with her confirmation support. In 1984, he resolved tax issues that facilitated General Motors’ acquisition of Perot Systems. Perot later endowed a taxation chair at Georgetown in Martin’s honor, although Martin never took the position.
Martin and Ruth raised two children: Jane Carol Ginsburg, born in 1955, who is now a professor of copyright law at Columbia, and James Steven Ginsburg, born in 1965, who established Cedille Records, a classical music label in Chicago. Martin was the primary cook in the household, as Ruth did not enjoy cooking. He honed his skills in French cuisine, studying Escoffier and crafting elaborate meals. After Ruth was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993, Martin continued teaching and practicing law, frequently attending Court events and supporting her work.
Later in life, Martin faced another cancer diagnosis. He passed away on June 27, 2010, at age 78 from complications related to metastatic cancer. He received a military burial at Arlington National Cemetery due to his Army service. Ruth was interred beside him in 2020.
Age
Martin Ginsburg was born on June 10, 1932, and died on June 27, 2010, at the age of 78.
Update
As of January 2026, Martin Ginsburg’s professional legacy remains impactful within tax law communities. His multi-volume treatise, Mergers, Acquisitions, and Buyouts (co-authored with Jack S. Levin and others), continues to be regularly updated by new editors and cited in judicial opinions, IRS decisions, and law review articles. Georgetown Law Centre maintains the Martin Ginsburg chair in taxation (endowed by Ross Perot). Recent publications and documentaries regarding Ruth Bader Ginsburg (2024–2025 releases commemorating the fifth anniversary of her passing) have renewed focus on Martin’s contributions as her spouse, principal cook, and emotional foundation.
Chef Supreme (2011), the compilation of recipes gathered by Martha-Ann Alito featuring Martin’s shared dishes, remains available at the Supreme Court gift shop and is well-regarded in culinary and legal circles. No new significant biographies or archival publications regarding Martin have emerged in 2025, yet his narrative continues to be highlighted in conversations about work-life balance, supportive spousal roles in demanding careers, and cancer survival.
Height
According to descriptions from family and friends as well as photographs taken throughout his adult life and at Supreme Court events, Martin Ginsburg measured approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall.
Passing
Martin David Ginsburg passed away on June 27, 2010, at the age of 78 in Washington, D.C., due to complications from metastatic cancer, which had extended beyond its initial site. He battled cancer twice: first testicular cancer in his late twenties, treated with surgery and radiation, and later metastatic cancer in his final years. He died at home surrounded by his family. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama recognized his intelligence, humor, and partnership with Ruth. Martin received a military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery to honor his Army Reserve service. Upon Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing in 2020, she was laid to rest alongside him.
Net Worth
At the time of Martin Ginsburg’s death in 2010, his net worth was estimated to be between $8 and $12 million (USD).
