Judge Marilyn Milian Biography
Judge Marilyn Milian is an American television personality, lecturer, and retired Florida Circuit Court Judge who is currently best known for presiding over the American courtroom television series The People’s Court. She is the first Hispanic arbitrator to preside over a court show.
She became the presiding judge on The People’s Court during the current edition’s fourth season in 2001, replacing Jerry Sheindlin. Milian surpassed Joseph Wapner, the original presiding arbitrator, during the 2012-2013 season as the longest-serving judge across the entire history of the series.
At the age of eight, her family relocated to Miami where she attended school, graduating from St. Brendan High School. She then joined the University of Miami where she received her undergraduate degree in Psychology. Marilyn further joined Georgetown University Law Center, earning her J.D. She spent a year working at Havard Law School as the director of training for the Guatemala Project. In this position, she was responsible for training the Guatemalan trial judiciary, defense, and prosecution bar in investigatory and trial techniques.
Marilyn Milian Judicial Career
Milan was appointed assistant state attorney for the Dade County State Attorney’s Office by Janet Reno, the then County’s state attorney. After ten years of service, Milian then worked for the Miami County Court, serving in the domestic violence, criminal, and civil divisions. In 1999, she was appointed to the Miami Circuit Court by Florida Governor Jeb Bush, serving in the criminal division.
In 2001, Milian replaced Jerry Sheindlin as judge of The People’s Court and became the first Hispanic judge on any English-language television court show. Moreover, she is listed as an adjunct faculty member of the University of Miami School of Law, teaching litigation skills.
Marilyn Milian in People’s Court
Marilyn serves as the presiding judge in the second life of the courtroom show The People’s Court, the first arbitration-based reality court show, and the second-largest running court show in history. She has presided over the program since the year 2001, beginning in The People’s Court’s 17th season.
The people’s Court has featured several arbitrators, with Milian currently being the longest-serving presiding arbitrator over the series. By the end of the show’s 28th season, Marilyn had completed twelve and half seasons presiding over the program, officially making her the longest-running judge on the show. Joseph Wapner, the previous judge and original judge of the show was the previous record holder.
Milian is far more animated in her job than the arbiters of The People’s Court. She is also noted for being calm and logical in her views and treatment of issues. Milian is renowned to toss out good-natured, colorful snark at the plaintiffs and does not tolerate any disrespect from them, despite being engaging for the most part.
She describes American’s fascination with the court show genre:
“We are a fast-food nation. People love to see resolution, they want to watch someone who has done wrong confronted and see justice prevail…all in an hour.”
In a 2017 Saturday Night Live parody of The People’s Court, Marilyn was portrayed by Cecily Strong who presided over a case between President Donald Trump and three judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In 2019, Milian appeared on the daytime version of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?, winning $5,000 for Camp Fiesta, a Florida summer camp that is free for children with cancer.
Judge Marilyn Milian Age
How old is Judge Marilyn Milian? Marilyn is 62 years old as of 2023. She was born on May 1, 1961, in Manhattan, New York City, the United States of America. She celebrates her birthday on May 1st every year.
Judge Marilyn Milian Family
Marilyn is the daughter of Jorge, a general contractor, and Georgian Milian who are both Cuban. Born in Manhattan, her family later relocated from Astoria, Queens, to Miami when she was eight years old. She learned Spanish as her first language and can fluently speak both English and Spanish.
Judge Marilyn Milian Husband
Marilyn is married to John Schlesinger since 1993. John is a former assistant United States attorney who was elected to the 11th judicial Circuit Court of Miami-Dade County, Florida in 2004, holding the same position Judge Milian held before retiring to The People’s Court. The couple lives in Coral Gables, Florida, with their three children.
Judge Marilyn Milian Children
Milian is a mother of three children namely Cristina Schlesinger (born in 1996), Alexandra Schlesinger (born in 1998), and Sofia Elena Schlesinger (born in 2001).
Marilyn Milian Height
Milian stands at a height of 5 feet 3 inches (1.6 m) tall and weighs 117 lb/53 kg.
Judge Marilyn Milian Net Worth
Milian has a net worth of approximately $30 million, an amount earned through her career as a judge, lecturer, and reality television personality.
Judge Milian Television Shows
- 2001 – present: The People’s Court – Herself
- 2002: As the World Turns – as a Judge
- 2007: George Lopez – as Judge Alvarez