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Samuel Alito
April 1, 1950
Trenton, New Jersey, US
76 Years Old
Aries
Who Is Samuel Alito?
Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. is an American jurist and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, recognized for his influential conservative jurisprudence. His legal interpretations often emphasize originalism and robust protections for religious liberty.
He entered the public eye with his nomination to the Supreme Court in 2005, a highly contested process that underscored his deeply conservative judicial philosophy. His tenure has since been marked by pivotal opinions shaping American law.
Early Life and Education
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Samuel Alito Jr. was raised in a family that deeply valued education; his father, Samuel A. Alito Sr., was a high school teacher and later a state legislative services director, while his mother, Rose Fradusco, was also a teacher. These early influences instilled a strong work ethic and academic drive.
He attended Steinert High School, graduating as valedictorian, before earning his Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Princeton University and his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, where he served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal.
Notable Relationships
Justice Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. is married to Martha-Ann Bomgardner, a former law librarian whom he met during his early legal career. Their marriage began in 1985, and she has largely maintained a private life.
The couple shares two children, Philip Alito and Laura Alito, whom Martha-Ann Alito chose to raise, stepping away from her professional career. The family relocated to the Washington, DC area following his Supreme Court appointment.
Career Highlights
Justice Alito's judicial career is defined by his significant impact on constitutional law, notably authoring the majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. This landmark 2022 decision fundamentally altered abortion rights nationwide.
His long record of public service began with roles as Assistant U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, followed by his appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He also penned the influential majority opinion in McDonald v. City of Chicago, affirming the Second Amendment's application to states.
Signature Quote
"A judge can't have any agenda, a judge can't have any preferred outcome in any particular case and a judge certainly doesn't have a client."