Ruth Bader Ginsburg Health Update: Justice Absent From Court Due To Illness

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 86, was absent from court on November 13 due to illness. The oldest, and arguably most liberal, is usually an active voice on the bench, but unfortunately had to take a break to recover from a stomach virus.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Health Update

In her absence, she was still required to participate from home by reading the briefs relevant to the case. Most of the cases the court is hearing this term involves immigration, abortion and the Second Amendment. Ginsburg has proven to play a critical role in such issues by being able to bridge the divide between her fellow justices and their varying ideologies.

In addition, she has proven to be not only an impressive jurist, but also an impressive fighter against illness. The justice inspired the nickname “Notorious RBG” with her recoveries from colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer. The critically acclaimed book Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg covers her hardest times and greatest accomplishments as a Supreme Court justice.

After her last diagnosis, Ginsburg traveled the country on a speaking tour and let it be known to millions through a speech: “This latest has been my fourth cancer battle and I found each time that when I’m active, I’m much better than if I’m just lying about and feeling sorry for myself.”