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Entertainment • TV Personality

Jeanine Pirro

Jeanine Ferris Pirro is an American television host, author, lawyer, and former judge and prosecutor.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jeanine Ferris Pirro is an American television host, author, lawyer, and former judge and prosecutor. She became known for her legal and political commentary on television and later served as a United States attorney in Washington, D.C. Pirro has also held elected office in Westchester County, New York, where she was the first woman elected to both the county court and district attorney positions.

Early life and education

Pirro was born in Elmira, New York, in 1951. Available sources identify her as Jeanine Ferris Pirro and show her later career in law and public service.

She was elected to the Westchester County Court in 1990 and became district attorney of Westchester County in 1993. She was the first woman elected to either office, and her prosecutorial work included attention to domestic violence and crimes against older adults.

Television career

Pirro moved into media and hosted the court show Judge Jeanine Pirro, later followed by Justice with Judge Jeanine on Fox News. She also became a commentator and co-host on The Five.

U.S. attorney role

In 2025, Pirro was appointed interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia and later Senate confirmed. This marked a return to a senior law-enforcement role after years in television.

Key facts

  • Born in Elmira, New York, on June 2, 1951.
  • Built a career in law before moving into television commentary.
  • Was elected to the Westchester County Court in 1990 and to be Westchester County district attorney in 1993.
  • Was the first woman elected to either of those Westchester County positions.
  • Hosted the syndicated court show Judge Jeanine Pirro and later Fox News programs including Justice with Judge Jeanine.
  • Was appointed interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia in May 2025 and later confirmed in August 2025.
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Canadian context

Pirro is mainly relevant to Canadian readers as a long-running U.S. television personality and political commentator whose Fox News programs have had cross-border audience reach.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jeanine Pirro?
Jeanine Pirro is an American television host, lawyer, author, former judge, former district attorney, and prosecutor.
What is Jeanine Pirro known for on television?
She is known for hosting Judge Jeanine Pirro and Justice with Judge Jeanine, and for appearing on Fox News programs including The Five.
What offices did Jeanine Pirro hold in New York?
She was elected to the Westchester County Court in 1990 and became Westchester County district attorney in 1993.
Was Jeanine Pirro the first woman in her county offices?
Yes. She was the first woman elected to both the Westchester County Court and the Westchester County district attorney office.
What is Jeanine Pirro's role in Washington, D.C.?
She has served as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia since 2025.
What is Jeanine Pirro's birth name?
Her birth name is Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanine_Pirro
    Supports: Birth date; elected Westchester County judge in 1990; elected district attorney in 1993; first woman to hold either office.
  2. U.S. Department of Justicehttps://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/staff-profile/meet-us-attorney
    Supports: Current role as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia; Senate confirmation in August 2025 after interim service beginning in May 2025.
  3. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm1984860/
    Supports: Birth date and place; media credits including Judge Jeanine Pirro and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
  4. TV Guidehttps://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jeanine-pirro/bio/3000033615/
    Supports: Birth name; birth place; occupation as actress/writer/producer.
  5. Ave Maria School of Lawhttps://www.avemarialaw.edu/pirro/
    Supports: Fox News hosting roles; Emmy for Judge Pirro; legal commentary and books; public profile.