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Judi Ann Stish Ross Nathan Giuliani[1][2] (born December 16, 1954)[3] is an American registered nurse, former medical sales executive, charity fundraiser, and ex-wife of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. She was a managing director of philanthropic consulting firm Changing Our World and a founding board member of the Twin Towers Fund.[4][5]

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Judi Ann Stish[6] was born and raised in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, a town known for its coal mining history.[7][8] Her family is Roman Catholic[4] of Italian descent on her father's side and Polish descent on her mother's side. The surname Stish was previously modified from Sticia.[7][9] Her father, Donald Stish Sr., was a circulation manager for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and her mother, Joan Ann (Ososki), is a homemaker.[4][10][11] She had an older brother, Donald Jr., who died in 2004, and has a younger sister, Cyndy.[1][4] As of 2007, her parents still resided in the same home where she grew up in Hazleton.[10]

Stish graduated from Hazleton High School in 1972,[8] where she participated in the Future Nurses Association, the Literary Society, the tennis and ski clubs, and the Diggers Club, a volunteer service organization.[4][12] Interested in both the human and scientific aspects of the field,[13] she attended a two-year nursing program, affiliated with Pennsylvania State University, at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and graduated with a registered nurse diploma on September 1, 1974.[8][14] She credits her decision to become a registered nurse as "one of the most practical, wonderful ones I ever made…because, aside from the science, you learn crisis management, decision making, prioritizing…"[5]

First marriages, medical sales career, motherhood

[edit]

After graduation, Stish worked for a few months[8] as a nurse[13][15] at Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania.[7] On December 8, 1974, she and Jeffrey Ross, a medical supply salesman, eloped to Las Vegas and were married at the Chapel of the Bells.[8][15] The couple soon relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where they both[8] took jobs with U.S. Surgical Corporation[16] in 1975[7] selling medical supplies in the Southeast;[15] Judi Ross specialized in showing doctors in operating rooms a new surgical stapling method.[7][17] She and Ross separated amicably[18] after four years, and their marriage ended in divorce[19] which was finalized on November 14, 1979.[14] The couple had no children.[17]

On November 19, 1979, Judi Stish Ross married wallpaper salesman Bruce Nathan, whom she had met during her separation from her first husband.[1] Judi Nathan stopped working around that time; the couple lived in Charlotte for two years,[1] then moved to Atlanta, Georgia.[16][10] The Nathans adopted a daughter, Whitney, in March 1985.[4][16][20] The family moved to Manhattan in 1987 and Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles in 1991.[4][16] During these years, she briefly worked for DynaMed Surgical in California.[1] She also converted from Roman Catholicism to Presbyterianism.[4]

The Nathans' marriage fell apart during the early 1990s and led to a contested divorce case and custody battle, which included accusations of abuse from both parties.[1][4][8][10] The Nathans' divorce was finalized in 1992 and she won primary custody of their child.[16][21] Nathan, who came to prefer the name "Judith" around this time,[1] moved back to New York in March 1992.[4] Now a single mother, she worked part-time in a dentist's office[1][4] and attended New York University computer and business classes at night and on weekends.[13][22] Nathan received a New York nursing license[16] and began working in 1993[8] as a pharmaceutical sales representative with the hospital sales division of Bristol-Myers Squibb,[14][22] selling surgical supplies, anti-depressants, and antibiotics in the tough Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn;[8][10] one of her specialties was infectious diseases.[23] Around this time Judith became romantically involved with Woodhull Hospital clinical psychologist Manos Zacharioudakis;[24] she and her daughter lived with him for four years, until early 1999.[24] By 1997, she became one of Bristol-Myers' top sales managers, [10][25] managing a 12-person sales team.[8]

Relationship with and marriage to Giuliani

[edit]

Judith Nathan met Mayor Giuliani in May 1999 at Club Macanudo, an Upper East Side cigar bar;[22] they have said they were introduced by a doctor who is a mutual friend.[22] Giuliani took the initiative in forming an ongoing relationship.[22] The mayor was still married to and living with his second wife, Donna Hanover, although they had been publicly distant since 1996,[26] and Nathan was still living with Zacharioudakis although the couple had separated a few months earlier.[1][24] For most of a year, the relationship was kept secret,[8] and in early 2000 Giuliani arranged for New York Police Department security and chauffeuring for her.[27] By March 2000, Giuliani and Nathan were appearing together at public events;[28] in May 2000, Giuliani publicly acknowledged her as his "very good friend"[28] and, amidst a flurry of press scrutiny about Nathan, announced he was separating from Hanover.[29] Nathan endeared herself to the mayor's powerful inner circle of friends and advisers.[10] Later in 2000, Giuliani credited Nathan's nursing background in helping him through his treatment for prostate cancer.[25] Nathan aggressively researched treatment options and Giuliani was quoted as saying, "I felt so fortunate to have not only someone who loved me and cared about me, but also someone who was an expert with an enormous amount of knowledge of medicine and science — she was the single biggest support that I had."[30]

Judith and Rudy Giuliani became engaged in Paris in November 2002[31] and married on May 24, 2003.[32] The wedding was held at Gracie Mansion and was one of only two performed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The reception for 400 guests included figures from the political, entertainment, and fashion worlds.[22][32] The couple had a $5 million apartment off Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side in Manhattan[1][8] and a $4 million summer home in The Hamptons.[8]

Rudy Giuliani frequently cited his wife as his "closest adviser",[4] saying in 2007 that she remained "an expert we rely on" at his company, Giuliani Partners, where he has served as chairman and chief executive officer. "She gives us a lot of advice and a lot of help in areas where she's got a lot of expertise – biological and chemical. Since we do security work, that's an area of great concern – you know, another anthrax attack, a smallpox attack, chemical agents. She knows all of that."[4] From shortly before their marriage until his presidential campaign began, Rudy Giuliani paid her an average of $125,000 per year for her professional value as a speechwriter.[33][34]

Role in Giuliani presidential campaign

[edit]
A New York Air National Guard major poses with Rudy and Judith Giuliani at the new Yankee Stadium in April 2009

As Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign began in earnest in 2007, Judith Giuliani served as an advisor and fundraiser, but also came in for a new round of intense and often unflattering media attention.[35] Her first marriage to Jeffrey Ross was revealed in the press for the first time,[14] her educational background was clarified,[14] and she appeared in a Barbara Walters interview on 20/20.[13] During the interview, the Giulianis stated that she would sit in on Cabinet meetings were he elected,[13] a plan that attracted criticism and that they later backed away from.[22][36] There was controversy about her travel requirements and conflicts with Rudy Giuliani's aides.[1] Media outlets portrayed her as someone aspiring to social status and given to extravagant shopping.[37] An attempt by the campaign over summer 2007 to rehabilitate her image fell victim to internal tensions,[35] and instead her public appearances were scaled back.[37] Rudy Giuliani said that Judith Giuliani proved a capable fund-raiser who provided meaningful input on his policies, particularly those pertaining to health care, since she holds a two-year nursing degree and once sold pharmaceuticals.[22]

On April 4, 2018, it was announced that Judith Giuliani had filed for divorce from her husband, Rudy Giuliani. The divorce was settled on December 10, 2019. On August 2, 2022, it was announced that Judith Giuliani had hired attorney Dror Bikel and filed a lawsuit against former husband for non-compliance regarding the divorce settlement.[38]

Fundraising and charitable work

[edit]
At a ceremony at Pearl Harbor in 2004

In March 2001, desiring less travel and reduced public visibility, Nathan left Bristol-Myers and became a fund-raiser and later the managing director of Changing Our World,[10] an international fundraising and philanthropic services company headquartered in New York that helps not-for-profit groups raise money for causes such as juvenile blindness and HIV/AIDS in Africa. She left the organization in 2006.[8]

After the September 11 attacks, Giuliani credited Nathan with coordinating the efforts of the Family Assistance Center at Pier 94, a claim disputed by the first director of New York City's Office of Emergency Management, Jerry Hauer,[4] but supported by others who say she played a valuable role there that lasted for four months.[1] Rudy Giuliani wrote of this period in his 2002 book, Leadership, explaining that she capably served as a solid mayoral adviser after September 11 because she "had been a nurse for many years, and afterward a pharmaceutical executive; she had managed a team of people and had many organizational skills. Further, she had wide-ranging scientific knowledge and research expertise."[4] In addition, he said that he "put her to work helping me organize the hospitals" to assist those injured in the attacks.[4]

She became a founding board member of the Twin Towers Fund, appointed by Giuliani,[4] which raised and distributed $216 million to over 1,150 families and individuals.[5] Contributions to the fund also created the TTF Scholarship Fund and America’s Camp for victims' children.

Judith Giuliani also acted as the national spokesperson for Women's Heart Advantage, which seeks to raise awareness among women and their doctors about preventing heart-related health conditions.[39] As a spokesperson for Women's Heart Advantage, she promoted the organization as the first hospital-based program focusing on women and heart disease.[39] In the preface to the book Mapping the New World of American Philanthropy (Wiley, 2007), Judith wrote of the opportunity the Baby-Boomer generation has to define its legacy through lasting philanthropy.[40]

Additionally, Judith Giuliani has raised funds for Southampton Hospital,[41] Finding a Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures (FACES), Christian Blind Mission International (CBMI), Hurricane Katrina relief in New Orleans,[23] St. Vincent's Hospital Level 1 Trauma Unit,[23][42] Cabrini High School and Cabrini Medical Center,[5][23] and the McCarton School for autistic children.[4]

For her service, Judith has received the Community Award from the New York Junior League,[42] the Spirit of Cabrini Service Award from the Cabrini Mission Foundation,[43] and in May 2006 she received the New York University Humanitarian Award. Giuliani was recognized for her role as a nurse for humanitarian and charitable endeavors, as well as for serving as a prominent voice in promoting the nursing profession.[44]

Footnotes

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Judith Giuliani

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Judi Ann Giuliani (née Stish; born December 16, 1954) is an American , former pharmaceutical sales executive, and philanthropist, primarily known as the third wife of , former , to whom she was married from 2003 until their divorce in 2019. Raised in the coal-mining community of , in a Roman Catholic family as the second of three children, Giuliani earned a New York nursing license in 1993 and advanced in the hospital sales division of Bristol-Myers Squibb until 2001. She met in 1999 amid his separation from his prior marriage, and following their wedding at on May 24, 2003, she shifted focus to philanthropy, becoming a managing director at the fundraising consultancy Changing Our World and a founding board member of the Twin Towers Fund to aid 9/11 victims' families. Giuliani's involvement in her husband's 2008 presidential bid included participating in hiring decisions and expressing preferences on campaign logistics, which sparked media reports of interpersonal conflicts among staff, though she described her input as supportive spousal . The concluded acrimoniously, with post- litigation over alleged unpaid , club dues, and other obligations exceeding $260,000, claims contested as exaggerated. Since the , she has sustained her fundraising efforts for causes including medical centers and , and in 2024 became engaged to real estate developer Patrick Cerminara.

Early Life and Family Background

Childhood and Education

Judi Ann Stish, later known as Judith Giuliani, was born on December 16, 1954, in , a small coal-mining town in the anthracite region. She was the second of three children born to Donald Stish Sr., a circulation manager for , and Joan Stish, in a Roman Catholic family of modest working-class means with Italian ancestry on her father's side—originally surnamed Sticia—and Polish roots on her mother's. Her upbringing in this industrial community, marked by economic constraints and community-oriented values, fostered an emphasis on practical , as her family lacked significant wealth but prioritized steady employment in media distribution. Stish completed her early education in Hazleton's local public schools before graduating from Hazleton High School in 1972. During high school, she showed an early aptitude for healthcare by participating in the Future Nurses Association, alongside involvement in literary, , and clubs, reflecting a blend of academic and extracurricular interests suited to a small-town setting. Pursuing a vocational path aligned with her emerging interest in direct patient care, Stish attended St. Luke's School of Nursing in , a two-year program focused on clinical training rather than advanced theoretical study. She graduated in 1974 as a , equipping her with empirical skills in bedside caregiving amid Pennsylvania's healthcare needs, distinct from pursuits in elite or research-oriented institutions. This foundational education underscored a pragmatic approach to professional preparation, rooted in regional demands for hands-on medical support.

First Marriages and Motherhood

Judith Giuliani's first marriage was to Jeffrey Ross, a fellow medical sales representative at U.S. Surgical, whom she wed on December 8, 1974, in when she was approximately 20 years old. The union lasted about four years and ended amicably in , finalized on November 14, 1979, with no children born to the couple. Five days after her divorce from Ross, on November 19, 1979, Giuliani married Bruce Nathan, a wallpaper and floor-covering salesman from whom she had met during her separation from Ross. The couple had one daughter, Whitney, during their , which deteriorated into a contentious finalized in 1992 amid disputes over custody and other issues. Following the split, Giuliani raised Whitney as a single mother while advancing in her professional roles in medical sales and fundraising, navigating economic self-sufficiency without documented reliance on public aid.

Professional Career Prior to Marriage

Nursing and Medical Sales Roles

Judith Giuliani earned a from St. Luke's School of Nursing in , graduating on September 1, 1974. She worked briefly as a following graduation, including a short stint at Hospital in . This early clinical experience provided her with direct knowledge of patient care and medical environments, though she soon shifted toward sales roles in the healthcare sector. By 1975, Giuliani had entered pharmaceutical sales, joining Bristol-Myers as a sales representative in after approximately one year in . She later advanced within the industry, obtaining a New York nursing license in 1993 and resuming work with Bristol-Myers Squibb in its hospital sales division. From 1993 to 2001, she focused on promoting pharmaceutical products, including antidepressants and antibiotics, to hospitals through targeted client engagements. During this period, as a single mother, she supported herself via these sales efforts, demonstrating persistence in a field requiring technical medical acumen and relationship-building with healthcare providers. She departed the company in March 2001.

Transition to Fundraising and Charity Work

Following her tenure in pharmaceutical sales at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Judith Giuliani transitioned into nonprofit in 2001 by joining Changing Our World, a New York-based philanthropic consulting firm that advises organizations on donor cultivation and campaign strategies. Her medical sales experience provided networks in healthcare, enabling her to focus on causes such as health services and emergency response support, where she assisted clients in identifying prospective donors and structuring appeals. From 2001 to 2006, she served part-time as a managing director, contributing to the firm's efforts to help nonprofits secure contributions through targeted outreach rather than broad administrative expansions. In the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks—prior to her 2003 marriage—Giuliani volunteered at the Family Assistance Center on Pier 94, coordinating referrals and family notifications for victims' relatives, drawing on her background to advocate for specialized psychological support amid logistical challenges. She later became a founding board member of the Twin Towers Fund, established in late 2001 to provide direct financial aid to 9/11-affected individuals and families, emphasizing rapid disbursement over prolonged overhead; the fund distributed over $200 million in grants by 2002, though her specific role in donor acquisition remains undocumented in public audits. These efforts marked her shift toward hands-on charity involvement, prioritizing empirical aid delivery in crisis contexts separate from electoral activities. Public records offer limited audited data on her individual fundraising outcomes during this period, with no verified totals attributed solely to her initiatives at Changing Our World or the Twin Towers Fund; donor feedback from contemporaries described her as professional in sales-like pitches but noted the firm's commission-based model, which incentivized revenue generation potentially at the expense of long-term . Successes included facilitating connections for health-focused nonprofits, aligning with her prior expertise, though critiques in media profiles questioned the measurable impact of consulting fees versus net funds reaching beneficiaries, absent independent efficacy studies. This phase underscored a pragmatic pivot from corporate sales to , grounded in relational networking rather than institutional innovation.

Relationship and Marriage to Rudy Giuliani

Meeting and Development of Relationship

Judith Giuliani, then Judith Nathan, first encountered in May 1999 at Club Macanudo, a cigar lounge on East 63rd Street in . At the time, Nathan was working in medical sales and fundraising in New York, spheres overlapping with Giuliani's mayoral network, while Giuliani remained married to . Their initial meeting occurred through mutual acquaintances in the city's social and professional circles, leading to private outings such as early-morning treatments and Yankees games later that summer. The relationship developed discreetly over the following year, amid Giuliani's escalating personal challenges, including his April 2000 diagnosis and the public unraveling of his marriage. Nathan provided emotional support during this period, accompanying Giuliani to medical appointments and offering stability as he navigated treatment and separation proceedings from , which he announced publicly in May 2000 alongside disclosure of the affair. This mutual reliance, rooted in shared New York elite connections and her role in alleviating his pre-9/11 stresses, accelerated the bond from casual encounters to a committed by late 2000. The affair's progression contributed to Giuliani's formal divorce filing from in 2001, finalized in 2002.

Wedding and Early Married Life

Rudolph Giuliani and Judith Nathan were married on May 24, 2003, in a ceremony on the lawn of , the former mayoral residence. The event, officiated by Mayor , drew around 400 guests, including political allies such as former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone and his wife Tina, as well as celebrities like . This union represented Giuliani's third marriage, following annulments from his first wife in 1982 and a divorce from second wife in 2002. In the immediate aftermath, the couple established their primary residence in a apartment, marking a shift for Judith Giuliani from her independent professional life in medical sales to a more domestic and supportive partnership. She began integrating into Giuliani's established social network of political and business associates, attending events that facilitated her transition into a public-facing spousal role while he pursued consulting opportunities in the . Her expertise continued to play a part in overseeing household routines, extending the caregiving dynamic from their pre-marital relationship into married life.

Support During Mayoralty and Post-9/11 Period

During 's final year as , Judith Nathan (later Giuliani) provided emotional and logistical support amid personal and professional crises, including his diagnosis in May 2000 and treatment later that year. Her background as a informed her assistance during his medical procedures, such as the implantation of radioactive seeds on September 15, 2000, where she attended key announcements alongside his advisers. Giuliani publicly credited her expertise for aiding his recovery, which overlapped with the escalating tensions of his from . Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, Nathan offered behind-the-scenes counsel as Giuliani managed the city's response, contributing to his stability during the immediate recovery phase. In his 2002 book , Giuliani described her as a capable adviser who provided substantive input on , drawing from her professional experience in healthcare sales and . She also participated in post-attack efforts, including staffing call centers to assist victims' families, which helped sustain his focus amid the transition out of office on December 31, 2001. This private role contrasted with public scrutiny over her visibility, yet it underpinned the personal resilience that bolstered his "America's Mayor" persona. In the 2001-2003 period, Nathan engaged in efforts to mediate family dynamics during Giuliani's proceedings, advocating for introductions between Giuliani and his children, and Caroline, amid Hanover's resistance. Court disputes in June 2001 centered on supervised meetings with her, with a appointing a guardian to assess the children's views, reflecting early strains in those relationships that persisted into the post-mayoral transition. Despite these challenges, her involvement aimed at fostering stability as Giuliani navigated health recovery, the end of his term, and the formation of in 2002.

Public Role and Political Involvement

Participation in 2008 Presidential Campaign

Judith Giuliani actively participated in her husband's 2008 presidential campaign from its formal announcement on February 5, , in , accompanying him on the campaign trail and attending key events such as the May 2007 Republican presidential debate. In operational roles, she advised on policy leveraging her and pharmaceutical sales background, contributed to personnel decisions like the hiring of campaign manager Michael DuHaime, and coordinated logistics including family scheduling to balance Rudy Giuliani's commitments. She also engaged in efforts, asserting in 2007 her ability to secure donations by invoking her status as "Judith Giuliani," though specific amounts attributable to her were not publicly quantified amid the campaign's overall $47.5 million raised in 2007, making it the top Republican haul excluding self-loans. As a surrogate, she handled media interactions and solo appearances, such as a November 2007 event in , though her public rollout faced early scrutiny for inexperience. Giuliani supported the campaign's Florida-centric strategy, which prioritized the January 29, 2008, primary as a "firewall" after minimal investment in , , and , by making appearances in the state and standing alongside her husband during his concession speech following a third-place finish with 15% of the vote. This approach, intended to capitalize on Giuliani's appeal to moderates and independents in a winner-take-all contest, ultimately faltered due to organizational weaknesses and issues rather than spousal involvement alone. Her presence underscored personal loyalty, contrasting with narratives of distraction and aligning with Giuliani's post-9/11 leadership image that drew initial national support. Controversies surrounding Giuliani's personal history emerged as potential liabilities, including the March 23, 2007, revelation of a previously unreported third marriage to Jeffrey Scott Ross from 1974 to 1979, bringing the couple's combined total to six weddings and prompting concerns among social conservatives about alignment with . Political analyst opined that her background, including the family rift evidenced by Rudy Giuliani's son declining to campaign, contributed significantly to the bid's collapse by alienating GOP base voters. However, campaign aides described her as an experienced speaker and intended key surrogate whose input on personnel proved valuable, with causal factors like the gamble and early-state neglect cited as primary drivers of shortfalls over personal factors.

Achievements and Contributions to Giuliani's Public Image

Judith Giuliani's professional background as a and fundraiser contributed to efforts to portray as relatable and compassionate, softening his image as a hard-nosed leader forged in New York City's post-9/11 crucible. During the 2008 presidential campaign, she appeared alongside him at events emphasizing their personal partnership, such as staged phone calls from Rudy to Judith in front of audiences, intended to humanize his persona and highlight family dynamics amid scrutiny of his prior divorces. Her presence was positioned as a "character witness," offering voters insights into his private character beyond his public toughness. In discussions, publicly endorsed Judith's input, stating he would welcome her participation in cabinet-level meetings on healthcare matters given her expertise and sales experience, framing her as a valuable advisor who added depth to his narrative. This alignment with her credentials helped underscore themes of in his post-mayoral advocacy, particularly on issues affecting and families, where her charitable fundraising skills complemented his 9/11 legacy. Post-campaign, their joint appearances at high-profile charity events bolstered Giuliani's profile on the speaking and circuit, where he commanded fees exceeding $8 million annually from engagements by 2002, with her support evident in shared platforms. They co-hosted fundraisers like the 2010 "A Summer Night at Sandcastle" for Stony Brook Children's Hospital, attended by over 400 guests raising significant funds for pediatric care. In 2015, they participated in Fitzgerald's Charity Day, which has raised over $180 million since 2001 for 9/11-related causes including first-responder families. Similarly, in 2017, they attended the Research Fund Alliance's event, reinforcing Giuliani's image as a supporter of initiatives through visible spousal . These engagements sustained his appeal in conservative and philanthropic circles, with her involvement signaling stability and shared values.

Controversies and Criticisms

Alleged Misuse of Public Resources

During Rudy Giuliani's tenure as mayor of New York City, Judith Nathan (later Giuliani) received NYPD security and chauffeuring services, including a dedicated police driver and city car, beginning in early 2000 while their relationship was still secret. This arrangement extended to personal trips, such as weekend visits to the Hamptons where Nathan resided, incurring hotel, gas, and other expenses for the mayor's security detail estimated at around $3,000 per visit. These costs, totaling tens of thousands of dollars between 1999 and 2001, were billed to obscure city agencies including the NYC Loft Board ($34,000), Office for People With Disabilities ($10,054), Procurement Policy Board ($29,757), and Assigned Counsel Administrative Office (approximately $400,000 in 2001 alone). In January 2002, William C. Thompson Jr. questioned these expenditures in a letter to incoming Mayor , highlighting irregularities in how security and travel costs—totaling over $618,000 in Giuliani's final fiscal year, a 151% increase—were allocated and reimbursed. The comptroller's office referred the matter to the Department of Investigation for review, amid media reports criticizing the use of taxpayer-funded resources for private romantic excursions that predated the . No criminal charges resulted, though the scrutiny underscored concerns over accountability in mayoral security protocols. Giuliani defended the arrangements as essential due to heightened personal threats, particularly after 9/11, asserting that all records were properly handled and that 24-hour protection was standard for his position. Nathan's access to such services stemmed from her evolving role as the mayor's partner, effectively positioning her as a equivalent, though critics argued that pre-9/11 usage for non-official purposes strained public resources without equivalent justification.

Scrutiny of Personal History and Lifestyle

During Rudy Giuliani's 2008 presidential campaign, Judith Giuliani's personal background came under intense media examination, particularly her prior marriages and professional history in . Reports emerged that she had been married twice before meeting Giuliani—first briefly to a in 1974, annulled shortly after, and second to a furniture salesman from 1977 to —prompting portrayals in outlets like Vanity Fair of her as an ambitious striver who ascended from a modest upbringing in , through determination and career mobility. A later disclosure in 2007 confirmed a third unreported marriage to Alfred Kirmmse from to 1991, which fueled narratives of serial matrimony akin to Giuliani's own three marriages, with some commentators framing her trajectory as indicative of or "gold-digging" amid her transition from pharmaceutical to high-society circles. These accounts, often amplified in left-leaning publications, contrasted her self-made —where she excelled as a top representative for firms like and , leveraging interpersonal skills honed in competitive environments—with insinuations of social climbing. Critiques extended to her lifestyle preferences, highlighted in profiles decrying extravagant tastes such as insisting on a dedicated seat for her handbag and favoring luxury accommodations during campaign travels, which were depicted as emblematic of entitlement unfit for a potential . Media scrutiny also spotlighted reported tensions with Giuliani's children from his second marriage, and Caroline, who were described as estranged from their father post-2003 wedding; publicly stated in 2007 interviews that the union exacerbated family rifts, with some attributing the alienation to Judith's influence and her push for integration into the family dynamic during Giuliani's mayoral years. Such coverage, peaking in Vanity Fair's September 2007 "" feature, portrayed her as imperious and disconnected, drawing on anonymous campaign staff anecdotes of clashes over protocol and visibility. Rebuttals emphasized empirical aspects of her , noting her pre-marriage earnings in six-figure sales roles that demonstrated professional acumen rather than reliance on partners, as evidenced by her sustained career trajectory from regional rep to handler without inherited wealth. Judith herself countered the narrative in 2007 statements, asserting her support for Giuliani stemmed from shared values and post-9/11 partnership, not ambition, and highlighting her volunteer work in healthcare as proof of substantive contributions over superficial critique. Conservative observers argued that the disproportionate focus—contrasted with leniency toward liberal candidates' spouses' histories—reflected systemic against figures aligned with Giuliani's tough-on-crime, post-9/11 persona, where personal vetting served political ends rather than balanced scrutiny. These defenses underscored causal factors like her loyalty during Giuliani's high-stakes , framing attacks as exaggerated to undermine a conservative frontrunner rather than rooted in disqualifying conduct.

Impact on Family and Social Relationships

Judith Giuliani's to was associated with significant strains in his relationships with his children from his second , and Caroline. Media reports during 's presidential campaign highlighted the estrangement, attributing it in part to tensions involving Judith as ; publicly cited "a little problem" with her as a factor in his decision not to assist his father's campaign efforts. Similarly, experienced trauma from the surrounding family dynamics, with accounts indicating devoted more attention to Judith's daughter from a previous , Whitney, than to his own children. Specific incidents underscored the rift, such as and Judith attending Caroline's graduation from Trinity School in the last row and departing early, minimizing interaction with family. Attempts at faltered, exemplified by Judith's unsuccessful efforts to bond with and Caroline through gifts of Bibles, which friends described as ineffective in bridging the divide. At 's high school graduation in around the same period, reportedly considered skipping the event after resistance to Judith's involvement, reflecting broader patterns where her presence was insisted upon at family occasions. These dynamics contributed to a verifiable alienation, with estranged from both children by 2007, as noted in contemporaneous coverage linking to the familial fallout. Beyond immediate family, Judith's influence extended to Rudy's pre-marital social and professional circles, fostering strains with longtime friends and advisors. Associates reported her pushing for the dismissal of loyal staff, including Kate Anson, Matt Mahoney, and Tony Carbonetti, motivated by perceived jealousy over their closeness to . One advisor, Manny Papir, was fired after referring to her as a "princess" approximately five years prior to 2007. Public demands, such as requiring separate seating next to at events and instances of on-site conflicts—like during a trip or at a hotel—further alienated staff and inner-circle members, with one friend observing that "anyone supportive of him, close to him—Judith wants them fired." Such actions were later characterized in reporting as Judith effectively pushing away many of 's nearest friends alongside his children. Post-divorce, limited reconciliation with 's children persisted, with aligning politically with his father in later years while Caroline maintained distance, suggesting enduring relational fractures potentially rooted in loyalty conflicts amid Judith's assertive role.

Divorce and Post-Marital Life

Divorce Proceedings and Settlement

Judith Giuliani filed for divorce on April 4, 2018, in , seeking a contested dissolution of the marriage after 15 years, on grounds of . The proceedings centered on disputes over asset division from the couple's estimated $30 million fortune, including real estate holdings such as their residence and Palm Beach condominium, as well as arrangements. Pretrial disclosures highlighted their lavish lifestyle, with monthly expenses totaling $230,000, encompassing items like $12,000 for cigars and $7,000 for fountain pens. A temporary support order during negotiations awarded Judith Giuliani up to $40,000 monthly, though she reportedly accepted a reduced amount. The case concluded with a settlement on December 10, 2019, averting a public trial; terms were kept confidential, but included Giuliani's obligation to provide $5,000 monthly payments to Judith for household assistance, such as a housekeeper or aide, over five years. Both parties' attorneys confirmed resolution of all financial matters, with statements indicating an intent to maintain friendship thereafter.

Ongoing Financial Disputes

In August 2022, Judith Giuliani filed a lawsuit against in Supreme Court, alleging he owed her approximately $262,000 in unpaid obligations from their 2019 , including $140,000 related to their former Palm Beach property, overdue housekeeper or assistant payments of $5,000 per month, and country club dues. Giuliani acknowledged owing some amount but described Judith's total claim as a "gross ," attributing delays to sporadic payments amid his financial pressures. On September 23, 2022, Justice Michael Katz reduced the disputed sum to $235,000 and warned Giuliani of potential jail time if unpaid by October, citing his inconsistent compliance with settlement terms requiring regular housekeeper reimbursements. In December 2022, Katz ruled Judith's claims "faulty" in part, lifted the contempt threat, and allowed Giuliani to avoid incarceration after he demonstrated partial progress in payments, though the parties continued to dispute the exact remaining balance. Post-2022 disputes have persisted without full resolution, exacerbated by Giuliani's broader financial strains from unrelated litigation, including a $148 million judgment against Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss in December 2023, leading to his Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing (dismissed July 2024) and forced asset liquidations such as property and memorabilia by October 2024. These obligations, totaling over $1.36 million in unpaid legal fees by September 2025 from separate counsel disputes, have causally limited Giuliani's liquidity for divorce-related payments, as evidenced by his admitted sporadic remittances prior to 2022 and ongoing creditor pressures reducing disposable income. No public court records indicate complete settlement of Judith's claims as of October 2025, with compliance data showing historical non-payment patterns tied to Giuliani's escalating multi-million-dollar liabilities exceeding $200 million across cases.

Recent Activities and Public Statements

In September 2022, Judith Giuliani broke a period of relative silence with interviews in which she described observing significant personal changes in her ex-husband following his 2008 presidential campaign, including excessive drinking to cope with depression, frequent falls, and late rising that required her intervention. She stated that "the person you see now is not the man I married," expressing heartbreak over his public trajectory and characterizing his actions as embarrassing. Beyond these statements, Giuliani has maintained limited public visibility since the 2019 , with no documented continuation of high-profile health advocacy or new professional ventures. In March 2024, she became engaged to Patrick Cerminara, a 58-year-old energy executive and at PSC Worldwide, after dating for six months following a meeting at a Palm Beach trivia night; the couple was observed together at social events, including a birthday party. No further public statements from Giuliani appear in records through October 2025.

References

  1. https://www.bionity.com/en/encyclopedia/Judith_Giuliani.html
  2. https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Giuliani-Nathan-Set-May-Wedding-Date-10566951.php
  3. https://pagesix.com/2018/04/04/rudy-and-judith-giuliani-to-divorce/
  4. https://www.nydailynews.com/2007/04/30/eager-judi-left-coal-town-in-dust/
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/us/politics/05judith.html
  6. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a99/rudys-first-lady-0307/
  7. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna20129556
  8. https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-donald-trump-judith-giuliani-government-and-politics-7f7583d9a15bb22934ad18e7daa72d1b
  9. https://nypost.com/2022/12/12/judge-says-rudy-giulianis-ex-wifes-260k-suit-was-faulty/
  10. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3256075/who-judith-giuliani-rudy-giulianis-ex-wife-shes-found-love-patrick-cerminara-and-about-marry-fourth
  11. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/09/giuliani200709
  12. https://nymag.com/news/features/31812/
  13. https://kids.kiddle.co/Judith_Giuliani
  14. https://nypost.com/2007/04/01/judis-ex-no-1-a-huffy-hubby/
  15. https://www.newson6.com/story/5e3688ac2f69d76f6209eed9/giuliani-wife-each-married-three-times
  16. https://nypost.com/2000/05/09/from-the-coal-mine-to-big-time/
  17. https://alchetron.com/Judith-Giuliani
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  19. https://archive.nytimes.com/thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/05/13/giulianis-courtship-of-nathan/
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  24. https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/rudolph-giuliani-weds-judith-nathan-at-gracie-mansion-in-new-york
  25. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/17/nyregion/rudy-giuliani-divorce.html
  26. https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/share/df7077d1-ff19-401b-94b6-4e7856ca9dca
  27. https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-30100166.html
  28. https://awomanshealth.com/health-conditions/judith-guiliani-a-caregiver-s-perspective
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  30. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/08/judith-giuliani-rudy-giuliani-divorce.html
  31. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/13/nyregion/rudy-giuliani-divorce-judith-nathan.html
  32. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/02/nyregion/deal-is-sought-for-children-to-meet-giuliani-s-friend.html
  33. http://www.cnn.com/2001/LAW/06/19/giuliani.divorce/
  34. https://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/candidate?cycle=2008&id=N00009908
  35. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/placing-third-in-florida-giuliani-begins-withdrawal/
  36. https://www.politico.com/story/2008/01/giuliani-was-own-worst-enemy-008202
  37. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2976659&page=1
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  39. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/22/us/politics/22call.html
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  42. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/giuliani-accused-of-notorious-adultery/
  43. https://news.stonybrook.edu/newsroom/press-release/general/081710sandcastle/
  44. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/former-mayor-of-new-york-city-rudy-giuliani-judith-giuliani-news-photo/487785072
  45. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/judith-giuliani-and-rudy-giuliani-attend-the-20th-annual-news-photo/824301122
  46. https://www.politico.com/story/2007/11/giuliani-billed-obscure-agencies-for-trips-007073
  47. https://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/28/giuliani/index.html
  48. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2976659
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  50. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=2922097
  51. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/giuliani-campaign-scales-_n_59170
  52. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/giuliani-estranged-from-his-2-children/
  53. https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/381680-rudy-giulianis-wife-files-for-divorce/
  54. https://pagesix.com/2018/06/14/rudy-giuliani-reveals-hes-dating-a-political-operative-from-louisiana/
  55. https://pagesix.com/2022/08/02/rudy-giuliani-sued-by-ex-wife-judith-pay-me-260k-or-go-to-prison/
  56. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/10/nyregion/rudy-giuliani-divorce-settlement.html
  57. https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-new-york-city-government-and-politics-cbf134760b9cc392b75d50da69a3c4db
  58. https://apnews.com/article/287ed8192a26450a031d81e2b9647986
  59. https://people.com/politics/rudy-giuliani-ex-wife-files-lawsuit-alleging-he-owes-divorce-money/
  60. https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/09/23/rudy-giuliani-faces-jail-if-he-cant-pay-ex-wife-judith-nathan-235k-says-manhattan-judge-he-skipped-court-hearing/
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  62. https://www.npr.org/2024/10/22/nx-s1-5161612/rudy-giuliani-defamation-lawsuit-watches-apartment
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  64. https://www.wcax.com/2025/09/18/rudy-giuliani-is-ordered-pay-136-million-legal-bills/
  65. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/rudy-giulianis-bankruptcy-case-dismissed-new-york-judge-rcna161634
  66. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11205125/The-person-not-man-married-Judith-Giuliani-breaks-silence-ex-husband-Rudy.html
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  70. https://pagesix.com/2024/03/13/society/judith-giuliani-engaged-to-patrick-cerminara-in-whirlwind-romance/
  71. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13196883/rudy-giuliani-ex-wife-judith-engaged-palm-beach.html
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