Judge Mathis’ Wife Files for Divorce After 39 Years Together

Judge Greg Mathis may soon find himself navigating life as a single man. The renowned court television star’s wife of 39 years, Linda Mathis, has reportedly filed for divorce. According to TMZ, Linda listed July 17 as their date of separation and cited irreconcilable differences as the cause for their split. The couple, who tied the knot in 1985, has four adult children and recently became grandparents. Linda is seeking spousal support and is also open to the court granting spousal support to Judge Mathis. Whether or not a prenuptial agreement exists remains unclear. The judge’s popular court show has been a fixture since it first aired in 1999.

In 2023, Judge Mathis and his family starred in a reality series on E!. Titled Mathis Family Matters, the show provided an inside look at Judge Mathis, Linda, and their four children living under one roof for the first time in years.

Discussing his decision to venture into reality TV, Judge Mathis shared his motivations in an interview with Shadow and Act. He explained, “We want to be able to expose ourselves as a family of Black professionals who all have individual obstacles. And you’ll see those obstacles being played out. You’ll see them being resolved, and you’ll see them being addressed just like every ordinary American.”

He expressed a desire to present a positive image of a Black family while showcasing the common struggles and triumphs they face. “That’s what we’re trying to say, particularly to our community members. We face those obstacles, and we fight against them. Some we win, some we continue to struggle against. And that’s one of the reasons we came to television—to provide a positive image of a Black family, but also show our community who continue to struggle to uplift our families—a road map to do so.”

The reality series also highlighted Judge Mathis’s unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community, especially his son, Greg Jr., who is openly gay and recently got engaged.

Reflecting on his commitment to justice, Judge Mathis stated, “I am a judge, and the extension of that word is justice. And so, I’ve been known all my life to fight against injustice. That’s what motivated me to go into politics and civil rights law. I fought for the African American community, of course, and I fought for all people of color. I even fought for white folks in the Appalachia white hood, the poorest in the country. And so that’s been part of who I am. I fight for equality for women.”

Now, his focus includes advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, irrespective of religious debates on the subject. He emphasized, “Setting that aside and looking at it from the lens of love, justice, and equality, which is what Jesus really represented. And so, I’m glad to take on another struggle, particularly when it involves myself.”