
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a former US Supreme Court Justice, had a long history of health issues, including cancer and rib fractures, which resulted in several hospitalisations. Ginsburg, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993, first battled colon cancer in 1999. She was hospitalised again in November 2018 after fracturing three ribs and underwent surgery to remove two malignant nodules from her left lung. In November 2019, she was hospitalised for chills and a fever and treated with antibiotics and fluids. Ginsburg passed away on September 18, 2020, at the age of 87, due to complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. Her health issues did not deter her from becoming a prominent figure in the legal world and an advocate for women's rights and gender equality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of death | 2020 |
| Age at death | 87 |
| Cause of death | Complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer |
| Previous health issues | Colon cancer, malignant modules in the left lung, fractured ribs, gallbladder condition |
| Hospitalizations | September 1999, November 2018, May 2019, November 2019 |
| Hospitals named after her | NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital |
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What You'll Learn

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's health scares and recoveries
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a former associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, had a long history of health scares and recoveries. Appointed in 1993, she served on the court until her death in 2020. Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the Court and was known for her passionate dissenting opinions, which reflected liberal views of the law.
In September 1999, Ginsburg was hospitalized for colon cancer. Doctors discovered a small tumour in her colon while she was being treated for an unrelated abdominal infection. She underwent surgery and continued to work while hospitalized, not missing a single day on the bench. Following her treatment, she worked with a personal trainer to regain her strength.
In June 2012, Ginsburg injured two ribs during a fall but continued to work despite her injury. In November 2018, she fractured three more ribs and was hospitalized. She was released from the hospital the following day. In December 2018, two malignant nodules were found in her left lung, and she underwent surgery to have them removed. Ginsburg had also beaten colon cancer by this time.
In August 2019, Ginsburg underwent radiation therapy for a localized malignant tumour on her pancreas. This was the second time she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She completed her treatment and had no evidence of the disease elsewhere in her body.
In May 2020, Ginsburg was hospitalized for a gallbladder condition. She underwent non-surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis, a benign gallbladder condition caused by a migrated gallstone that blocked her cystic duct and caused an infection. She was discharged from the hospital the following day and was said to be doing well and glad to be home.
Despite her health struggles, Ginsburg was able to keep up with her court work and remained dedicated to her role as a Supreme Court justice. She passed away in September 2020 at the age of 87 from complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer.
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Hospitalizations for colon cancer, a fall, and a gallbladder condition
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a former Supreme Court Justice, had several hospitalizations over the years due to health issues. One of the notable hospitalizations was in 1999 when she underwent surgery for colon cancer. Ginsburg, who was 66 at the time, was initially diagnosed with acute diverticulitis, a gastric disorder, while teaching in Crete during the summer. However, subsequent tests at the Washington Hospital Center revealed that she had cancer. Ginsburg's surgeon, Lee Smith, expected her to remain in the hospital for about a week, but no specific timeline was given for her return to the high court.
In November 2018, Ginsburg was hospitalized again after falling in her office at the Supreme Court and fracturing three ribs. During her hospitalization, a CT scan revealed cancerous nodules in her lungs, leading to her undergoing a left-lung lobectomy in December 2018. This hospitalization brought attention to the impact of cancer on Ginsburg's life, including the death of her mother from cervical cancer and her husband's battle with testicular cancer. Ginsburg's recovery from the surgery caused her to miss oral arguments in January 2019, marking a rare absence from the court.
In addition to her battle with cancer, Ginsburg was also hospitalized for a gallbladder condition and infection in 2020. At 87 years old, she underwent non-surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis at Johns Hopkins Hospital and was expected to remain there for a couple of days.
Ginsburg's health issues and hospitalizations did not deter her from continuing her work as a Supreme Court Justice. Despite public pleas for her to retire in 2013 and 2014, she decided to remain on the court, even as her health issues became more frequent. Sadly, Ginsburg passed away in September 2020 at the age of 87 due to complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer.
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The opening of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital in Brooklyn, New York
On May 2, 2023, the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, opened its doors to the public. The hospital is named after the iconic U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away in September 2020 at the age of 87. Ginsburg was a pioneering advocate for women's rights and a beloved figure in American culture, known affectionately as "Notorious R.B.G.".
The opening ceremony of the hospital was a joyous and significant moment for the community. New York City Mayor Eric Adams highlighted the impact of the new hospital, stating that it would provide world-class health care to nearly 875,000 New Yorkers. The $923 million project features state-of-the-art equipment, private patient rooms, and a flood-proof Emergency Department, ensuring resilience against future storms.
The construction of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital was not only a significant investment in the city's healthcare infrastructure but also a tribute to Ginsburg's legacy. Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Anne Williams-Isom, remarked that the hospital embodied the values of fairness and justice that Ginsburg championed throughout her career. The hospital's opening was attended by the Ginsburg family, hospital staff, elected officials, and community leaders, reflecting the importance of this new public hospital to the city.
The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital is more than just a medical facility; it symbolizes Ginsburg's commitment to equality and access for all. The hospital's storm-resilient design and modern healthcare facilities represent a new era in healthcare for the residents of Southern Brooklyn, ensuring they have access to the best possible care, regardless of their ability to pay or immigration status.
The opening of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospital in Brooklyn stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, offering a space where her values of fairness, resilience, and equitable healthcare can continue to inspire and benefit the community she served.
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Ginsburg's support for the MeToo movement
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been an outspoken supporter of the MeToo movement, adding her voice to those exposing pervasive sexual harassment and sexism. Ginsburg, a Supreme Court Justice and a women's rights attorney, has shared her own experiences of sexual harassment and inequality, and praised the movement for empowering women to come forward.
At the Sundance Film Festival in 2018, Ginsburg revealed that she had been sexually harassed by a professor as a college student at Cornell. She explained that the professor had given her a practice exam that turned out to be identical to the real thing. "I knew exactly what he wanted in return," Ginsburg said, adding that she later confronted him in his office. In an interview with NPR's Nina Totenberg, she reflected on how women of her generation had experienced sexual harassment but "didn't have a name for it."
Ginsburg also spoke about the impact of the MeToo movement, saying, "It's about time." She expressed her support for the movement's staying power and its ability to topple alleged sexual predators from positions of power. Ginsburg noted that, for the first time, women were truly being listened to, and that the law was now on the side of those who had encountered harassment. She shared her optimism about the movement's future, stating that she was less worried about a potential backlash than she might have been two decades earlier.
Beyond her personal experiences, Ginsburg also addressed the role of sexism in the 2016 presidential race. She observed that a "macho atmosphere" had created an unequal disadvantage for Hillary Clinton, who faced criticism that a male candidate would not have encountered. Ginsburg's comments on the MeToo movement and her own encounters with harassment and sexism highlight her commitment to gender equality and her support for women's empowerment.
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Ginsburg's death at 87
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a feminist icon and a champion of gender equality, died aged 87 on September 18, 2020. Ginsburg was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court and dedicated her life to fighting for women's rights and gender equality.
Ginsburg had a long history of health problems, including several bouts of cancer. In 1999, she was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery. In 2018, she suffered a fall in which she fractured three ribs, and two malignant modules were discovered in her left lung. Ginsburg underwent a pulmonary lobectomy and was treated for a gallbladder condition in 2019. Despite these health scares, she continued to work tirelessly in her role as a Supreme Court Justice.
Ginsburg's death was announced by the Supreme Court, citing complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. She died at her home in Washington, D.C., surrounded by her family. Her death sparked an outpouring of grief and thousands gathered outside the Supreme Court building to pay their respects.
Ginsburg's passing also triggered a political battle over her successor, with many anticipating a tumultuous confirmation process. Ginsburg had expressed her desire to serve on the court for as long as possible, hoping to avoid a situation where her replacement would be nominated by a president with differing values.
Ginsburg's legacy is that of a tireless and resolute champion of justice, who transformed the law and defied social conventions. She was an inspiration to many, particularly as a cultural and feminist icon in her later years.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Ruth Bader Ginsburg had a history of health problems and was hospitalized several times.
Ginsburg was first hospitalized in 1999 for colon cancer.
Yes, she underwent surgery and continued to work while hospitalized. She also began working with a personal trainer to regain her strength.
Yes, Ginsburg was hospitalized multiple times throughout her life. In 2018, she was hospitalized after fracturing three ribs and again later that year to have two malignant tumors removed from her left lung. In 2019, she was hospitalized due to a fever and chills and underwent treatment for a gallbladder condition.
No, Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18, 2020, at her home in Washington, D.C., due to complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer. She was 87 years old.











































