The Untold Story Of Marty Ginsburg: 5 Ways The 'Chef Supreme' Championed The Notorious RBG

Few marriages in American history have been as consequential as that of Martin David Ginsburg and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. While Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg became a global icon, the man by her side, Marty Ginsburg, was a formidable figure in his own right—a world-renowned tax law expert, a beloved professor, and, most famously, the ultimate supportive spouse. His story, which continues to be celebrated in books and documentaries as of late 2025, is a powerful testament to partnership, ambition, and the radical idea that a man could be the primary champion of his wife's groundbreaking career.

Marty Ginsburg was not merely a footnote in the RBG legend; he was a pivotal force who actively shaped her path to the highest court. From discovering the tax case that launched her career as a gender equality litigator to orchestrating the lobbying campaign for her Supreme Court nomination, his influence was both profound and strategic. This article delves into the multi-faceted life of the man affectionately known as the "Chef Supreme," exploring his professional achievements, his crucial role in RBG's success, and his enduring legacy.

Marty Ginsburg: A Complete Biography and Professional Profile

Martin David Ginsburg was a man of immense intellect, known for his sharp wit and extraordinary legal mind, particularly in the complex field of federal taxation. His life was marked by a blend of high-level professional achievement and a deep commitment to his family.

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• Full Name: Martin David Ginsburg
• Born: June 10, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York
• Died: June 27, 2010, in Washington, D.C. (Age 78)
• Spouse: Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Married 1954; until his death in 2010)
• Children: Jane C. Ginsburg (Professor of Literary and Artistic Property Law at Columbia Law School) and James Steven Ginsburg (Founder and President of Cedille Records)
• Education: Cornell University (B.A., 1953), Harvard Law School (J.D., 1958)
• Primary Career: Distinguished Tax Law Attorney and Law Professor
• Key Professional Roles: Professor of Law at New York University Law School (1979–1980), Professor of Law at Columbia Law School (1980–1985), Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center (1986–2010), Of Counsel at the law firm Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson.
• Notable Achievements: Authored numerous articles and books on tax law, considered one of the nation's leading experts in federal taxation.

The Tax Lawyer Who Launched RBG's Equal Rights Crusade

While Marty Ginsburg is often remembered for his supportive role, his own professional standing was stellar. He was consistently ranked among the nation's best tax lawyers and was a highly respected professor. This professional excellence, however, led directly to one of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's most significant early victories in the fight for gender equality.

In the early 1970s, Marty was reading advance sheets of U.S. Tax Court decisions—a detail that speaks volumes about his dedication to his field—when he stumbled upon a curious case: *Moritz v. Commissioner*. Charles Moritz was an unmarried man who was denied a tax deduction for the cost of caring for his elderly, dependent mother. The reason for the denial was that the deduction was only available to women, widowers, or husbands whose wives were incapacitated.

Recognizing the inherent gender discrimination in the tax code, Marty immediately brought the case to Ruth, suggesting it was the perfect vehicle to challenge discriminatory laws. He drafted the initial brief, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg took the case to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. The victory in *Moritz* marked the first time a federal appeals court struck down a statute on the basis of gender discrimination, effectively launching RBG's career as the nation's leading litigator for the ACLU Women's Rights Project. This collaboration highlights a critical, shared intellectual legacy: a powerful tax lawyer using his expertise to advance a civil rights cause.

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The Master Campaigner: Orchestrating the Supreme Court Nomination

When it came time for President Bill Clinton to consider a Supreme Court nominee in 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was not the obvious choice. She was a respected judge on the D.C. Circuit, but she was seen by some as too old or too liberal for the consensus-driven process of the time. Marty Ginsburg, however, saw an opportunity and seized it with the strategic brilliance of a seasoned political operative.

Marty launched a sophisticated, intense, and highly personal lobbying campaign. He leveraged his extensive network of powerful friends, colleagues, and connections in Washington, D.C., and beyond, writing letters, making calls, and personally advocating for his wife. His strategy was meticulous and multi-pronged:

• The Personal Touch: He wrote a now-famous letter to a key White House counsel, praising Ruth's intellectual and judicial qualities, but doing so with a self-effacing, humorous tone that was classic Marty.
• The Power Network: He mobilized high-profile attorneys and academics, ensuring President Clinton’s advisors were flooded with endorsements from across the political spectrum.
• The Unassuming Champion: His advocacy was so effective precisely because he was a powerful figure in his own right, yet he cheerfully accepted the role of his wife's primary cheerleader and campaign manager.

His efforts are widely credited with moving Ruth Bader Ginsburg's name to the top of the list and securing her nomination. It was a clear demonstration that his devotion was not passive but an active, strategic commitment to her professional destiny.

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The 'Chef Supreme': Marty's Enduring Culinary Legacy

Perhaps the most charming and unique aspect of Marty Ginsburg's life was his passion for cooking. In a radical reversal of traditional gender roles, particularly for their generation, Marty took over the kitchen early in their marriage, largely because, as RBG famously quipped, "I was a terrible cook".

Marty was no amateur cook; he was a serious, talented chef who found immense joy in preparing elaborate meals for his family and friends. His culinary expertise became legendary in Washington, D.C., where he hosted dinner parties that were attended by Supreme Court Justices, dignitaries, and legal scholars. His specialties included sophisticated French and Italian dishes, such as *vitello tonnato* (veal in tuna sauce) and *osso buco* (braised veal shanks).

His enduring legacy in the kitchen was cemented posthumously with the publication of the cookbook, *Chef Supreme: Martin Ginsburg*. This memorial volume, compiled by the Spouses of the Justices of the Supreme Court, is filled not only with his original recipes but also with fond anecdotes and reminiscences from his family and the Supreme Court community, offering a unique, intimate look at the man behind the legend. The cookbook serves as a beautiful, tangible tribute to his role as the nurturing, domestic anchor of the Ginsburg family.

The True Meaning of Partnership: Marty Ginsburg's Final Impact

Marty Ginsburg’s life redefined what a supportive marriage looks like, particularly for high-achieving women. He proved that a man could be highly successful in his own right—a renowned tax law professor and lawyer—while simultaneously prioritizing and facilitating his wife's career without ego or resentment.

He handled the cooking, the social arrangements, and the emotional support, freeing up Ruth to focus entirely on her groundbreaking legal work and judicial opinions. His partnership was a practical, daily demonstration of the gender equality RBG was fighting for in the courts. Marty’s legacy, therefore, is not just about his brilliance in tax law or his skill in the kitchen, but about the profound, unconditional support that enabled one of the 20th century's greatest legal minds to thrive. His story continues to resonate today, serving as a powerful, modern blueprint for a truly equitable and successful marriage.