Judith Sheindlin, notoriously known as being the tempermental television judge Judge Judy, is worth an estimated $95 million dollars. She currently has a $100 million, 4-year contract that she signed in 2004 which makes her #13 on the list of the highest paid women in television.
This t.v. judge makes about 14x what all 9 Supreme Court Justices do-- combined, that is. Currently salary for the Chief Justice is ~202,900/yr, while Associate Justices make around $194,200/yr.
Among her other money-makers include her four books, all of which were national bestsellers. She has been nominated for an Emmy 8x.
And isn't this just a sign of the times? Americans care more about their TV personalities than they do about the real heroes..the ones that work hard, the ones that are at the top of the field--our Supreme Court Justices.
Of course, the men and women who take the post know why they're doing--to serve our country. I suppose they may not care, but it's a shame to see such disparity.