The Tumultuous Union: Jeanine Pirro's Decades-Long Romance and Public Challenges with Albert Pirro

Jeanine Pirro, a prominent figure in American law and media, has navigated a distinguished career marked by significant public service and a highly visible presence on television. Throughout much of her rise to prominence, her personal life, particularly her marriage to Albert J. Pirro, Jr., remained a subject of public interest, characterized by its longevity and a series of well-documented challenges. Their relationship, spanning several decades, was a central aspect of her life, often intersecting with her professional trajectory.

Jeanine Ferris married Albert J. Pirro, Jr. on August 23, 1975, shortly after completing her legal education. Albert Pirro was a successful real estate developer and lobbyist, and their union quickly established them as a power couple in New York's Westchester County. Together, they had two children, Alexander Pirro and Christi Pirro, building a family life amidst their burgeoning careers. Their early years together were marked by Jeanine's rapid ascent in the legal field, first as an Assistant District Attorney and then as a judge.

The Pirros' marriage faced its first major public challenge in the late 1990s. In 1998, Albert Pirro was involved in a paternity suit, which, after extensive court proceedings and DNA testing, confirmed him as the father of a daughter born outside of his marriage to Jeanine. He was subsequently ordered to begin child support payments. This revelation brought unwanted public scrutiny to their private lives, yet Jeanine Pirro maintained a united front with her husband during this period.

Further legal troubles for Albert Pirro escalated in 1999 when he was indicted on charges of conspiracy, tax evasion, and filing false tax returns, accused of hiding over $1 million in personal income as business expenses. Jeanine Pirro publicly stood by him, appearing with him at a press conference to criticize the investigation. In June 2000, Albert Pirro was found guilty of 23 of the charges and sentenced to 29 months in federal prison, serving 17 months before an early release for good behavior. This period was undoubtedly a significant strain on their marriage and public image.

The relationship faced another highly publicized and dramatic turn in 2005, amidst Jeanine Pirro's campaign for New York State Attorney General. It was revealed that she had been investigated by federal authorities after being recorded in a conversation with former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik, allegedly discussing a plan to plant a listening device on Albert Pirro's boat, the Christie, to gather evidence of his suspected infidelity. The incident, widely reported as the "boat bugging" scandal, became a major media sensation, with headlines like "BUG THIS LOVE BOAT!" The transcript of the conversation, in which Pirro reportedly vented her frustrations about her husband's alleged affair, further exposed the deep fissures in their marriage. She later stated, > "I said a lot of things, but what matters is what I did and didn’t do — and what I did was vent."

Despite the public turmoil and the infidelity allegations, the couple remained legally married for several more years. However, the strains proved insurmountable, and Jeanine Pirro and Albert Pirro officially separated in 2007. The separation marked the effective end of their long-standing union, though the formal dissolution of their marriage would take more time. The challenges they faced, from legal battles to personal betrayals, had taken a toll on their relationship, which had been under intense public scrutiny for years.

Their divorce was finalized in 2013, bringing an official end to a marriage that had spanned 38 years and weathered numerous public storms. While the specific details of the divorce settlement were not widely publicized, the conclusion of their marriage marked a significant personal chapter for Jeanine Pirro. Since her divorce from Albert Pirro, Jeanine Pirro has maintained a private stance regarding her romantic life. There are no publicly confirmed reports or widespread media speculation about any subsequent romantic relationships. She has continued to focus on her highly successful career in media, becoming a prominent voice on conservative news outlets, particularly Fox News, where she co-hosts 'The Five'. Her romantic history, as known to the public, remains centered on her long and eventful marriage to Albert Pirro, a relationship that profoundly shaped her personal narrative during her years in the public eye.