Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday at her home in Washington, the court says. She was 87.
Ginsburg died of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer, the court says.
Ginsburg announced in July that she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for lesions on her liver, the latest of her several battles with cancer.
Ginsburg spent her final years on the bench as the unquestioned leader of the court’s liberal wing and became something of a rock star to her admirers. Young women especially seemed to embrace the court’s Jewish grandmother, affectionately calling her the Notorious RBG, for her defence of the rights of women and minorities, and the strength and resilience she displayed in the face of personal loss and health crises.
Those health issues included five bouts with cancer beginning in 1999, falls that resulted in broken ribs, insertion of a stent to clear a blocked artery and assorted other hospitalizations after she turned 75.
She resisted calls by liberals to retire during Barack Obama’s presidency at a time when Democrats held the Senate and a replacement with similar views could have been confirmed. Instead, President Donald Trump will almost certainly try to push Ginsburg’s successor through the Republican-controlled Senate — and move the conservative court even more to the right.
The condolences quickly started to pour in, including a statement from Meghan Markle.
“With an incomparable and indelible legacy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg will forever be known as a woman of brilliance, a Justice of courage, and a human of deep conviction. She has been a true inspiration to me since I was a girl. Honour her, remember her, act for her,” the Duchess of Sussex said in a statement to ET Canada.
See more reaction below:
Justice Ginsburg paved the way for so many women, including me. There will never be another like her. Thank you RBG.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 19, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a champion for humanity.
Despite the uncertain nature of our politics, she always stood up for what is right, and she helped us bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice.
She will be greatly missed.
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) September 19, 2020
I am so, so saddened by the news that Ruth Bader Ginsburg has passed. Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazer and an extraordinary jurist who devoted her life to advancing the causes of equality and justice. We are in her debt.
May her memory be a blessing to us all.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) September 19, 2020
RIP Ruth Bader Ginsburg. You will he missed! Y’all keep saying stupid shit like you ain’t voting or it don’t matter. That shit will matter very soon!! REAL TALK!! #VOTEVOTEVOTE pic.twitter.com/0n308Em7PU
— Leslie Jones
(@Lesdoggg) September 19, 2020
Thank you, RBG for devoting your life, love and legacy to the rule of law. What a trailblazer in every way. What an immeasurable loss in every way. We will honor you by voting to protect all that you stood for. #rbg #heartbroken
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) September 19, 2020
Just heard the worst news… so sad! Ruth Bader Ginsburg you will live in history forever. May you rest in peace.
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) September 19, 2020
“So that’s the dissenter’s hope: that they are writing not for today but for tomorrow.”
My Shero, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has died.
To pay tribute, those who believe in equality & freedom must fight for the ideals she championed.
For her.
For us.
For generations to follow. pic.twitter.com/oHJOGSVZIy
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 19, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg spent her life in pursuit of an equal world. She fought for the unheard, and through her decisions, she changed the course of American history. We can never repay what she has given us, but we all can honor her legacy by working toward true equality, together. pic.twitter.com/lh6bioRuED
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 19, 2020
So sorry for Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s family and for our country. She was a fighter and she was firmly on the side of justice. I hope her example and her legacy can inspire us all in the fight of our lives. RIP RBG.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 18, 2020
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”
Thank you, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We’ll keep pushing our way into all the places we’ve yet to be invited.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) September 19, 2020
RIP justice Ginsberg
If you didn’t recognize the existential stakes of this election now – your listening to the music on deck of titanic
This is last straw –
Vote out gop— John Cusack (@johncusack) September 18, 2020
We owe her.#RIPRBG
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) September 18, 2020
My heart is broken. RBG, we did not deserve you.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) September 18, 2020
A once in a generation mind and person. Thank you Justice Ginsburg for all you did for this country, we are in your debt.https://t.co/Ihc2qjgvjK
— Josh Peck (@ItsJoshPeck) September 18, 2020
Everyone freak out tonight. Everyone get to work tomorrow. Okay?
(fuck)#RBG
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 18, 2020
Today couldn’t be sadder. A brilliant Jurist, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is gone. We must fight not to allow an Impeached Criminal to take her seat.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) September 18, 2020
Everyone freak out tonight. Everyone get to work tomorrow. Okay?
(fuck)#RBG
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 18, 2020
RIP RBG. Gutted. Sad.
Grateful for all she did. And very very scared.— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) September 18, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the kind of scholar and patriot you get excited about explaining to your kids. The kind of person who you say “who knows, one day you could be HER”. I hope you rest well, RBG, you must have been tired from changing the world.
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) September 19, 2020
Thank you for a lifetime of service. Thank you for changing history. We will never let it be undone. RIP RBG. https://t.co/hmAw1Lvq9a
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) September 18, 2020
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) September 18, 2020
RIP Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It is an immense loss. And the fate of the country should not rest on one woman’s shoulders however giant they were. I’m so sorry for her family and friends.
— roxane gay (@rgay) September 18, 2020
The O.G of law and order. RIP RBG. pic.twitter.com/aBVukasxAQ
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) September 18, 2020
One of one.
pic.twitter.com/Wz7MHyQpJd — Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) September 18, 2020
What an actual legend. Thank you RBG for a life of fighting for what’s right against all odds and for her family for sharing her with us. We are better off for having had her and I fear her absence.
— Kevin McHale (@druidDUDE) September 18, 2020
No one fought harder. We must continue in her footsteps. She refused to rest up until the bitter end. Neither should we. RIP the great, great, GREAT RBG. https://t.co/yaHwB59xOq
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) September 18, 2020
If there is a God, may She bless and keep RBG.
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) September 18, 2020
I'm crying. No one has done more for women, equality, or this country than Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Rest in Power. https://t.co/pAvctisnH9
— Misha Collins (@mishacollins) September 18, 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A model for fairness, rational thought, and progress. She will be missed more than we can yet imagine.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) September 18, 2020
Rest in peace Ruth Bader Ginsburg – a true legend, an iconoclast, a glass ceiling breaker, and a feminist icon. She changed the world in so many incredible ways. Prayers, love and strength to her family during this dark time. I hope you have fun with Antonin Scalia in heaven…
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) September 18, 2020
The passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a tragedy for our nation. She was a pioneer, a fighter, and an inspiration. Her name and legacy will be celebrated for as long as America endures. May she Rest In Peace and may our thoughts be with her family and many friends.
— Laurene Powell Jobs (@laurenepowell) September 18, 2020
Surely the smartest and toughest person I'll ever have the privilege to know. Rest in Peace, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. pic.twitter.com/TV7DpPQCk0
— Julie Cohen (@FilmmakerJulie) September 19, 2020
