What is Judge Greg Mathis's Net Worth and Salary?
Judge Greg Mathis is a television personality and former District Court judge for Michigan's 36th District who has a net worth of $25 million. Judge Greg Mathis is best known as the star of the syndicated reality courtroom show "Judge Mathis." Having presided over the show for more than 20 years, he holds the record for the longest reign of any African-American court show judge, and the second-longest of any court show judge. Fueled by the success of his show, Mathis became a prominent activist and philanthropist in the African-American community.
Judge Greg Mathis Salary
What is Judge Greg Mathis' salary per year? $5 million
Early Life and Education
Greg Mathis was born on April 5, 1960 in Detroit, Michigan to Alice and Charles. His parents divorced when he was young, leaving him to be raised by his mother. For a while, they lived in the Herman Gardens housing project, but they eventually moved away due to violent crime and rising rates of drug use. Mathis himself got involved in crime as part of a street gang, and was jailed when he was 17. Upon his release, he began working at McDonald's. Eventually, a family friend helped him get admitted to Eastern Michigan University, where he developed an interest in politics and public administration. Mathis did activism on campus and worked for the Democratic Party. He graduated from EMU with a degree in public administration. Mathis went on to earn his JD from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1987.
District Court Judge
For many years after graduating from law school, Mathis was unable to attain a license to practice due to his criminal record as a teenager. Finally, in 1995, he was elected as a District Court judge for Michigan's 36th District. In the process, Mathis became the youngest person in Michigan history to hold the post, at the age of 35. He served on the bench until 1998.
Judge Mathis
Mathis rose to fame as the arbitrator on the syndicated reality courtroom television show "Judge Mathis," which premiered in 1999. On the program, he adjudicates small claims disputes in front of a studio audience in Chicago, Illinois. Mathis is known on the show for his sense of humor and his street smarts, as well as his frequently stern manner. Although he only expected "Judge Mathis" to run for a few seasons, the program kept going, and by its 16th season in 2014 Mathis had become the longest-serving African-American courtroom show arbitrator ever. The show began its milestone 20th season in 2018.
Mathis and "Judge Mathis" have been the recipients of many accolades over the course of the show's run. In 2002, the program won a PRISM Commendation award for its "inspirational and positive messages to young people." A couple years later, the show won an NAACP Image Award. In 2018, "Judge Mathis" took home the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program, making it the first courtroom show with an African-American arbitrator to claim the award. Mathis later earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
(Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Mathis Family Matters
Due to his popularity as a courtroom show judge, Mathis was given another reality television program, "Mathis Family Matters," in 2022. The E! show follows Mathis and his family as they deal with various domestic situations.
Political Activities
Mathis has been active in politics for many decades. In 1988, he was appointed as the Michigan head of Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign. Later, Mathis served as the head of Coleman Young's successful mayoral reelection campaign in Detroit. He has continued to be politically active, leveraging his television stardom to advocate for African-American communities. Specifically, Mathis has done community outreach, provided mentorship, worked on lobbying campaigns, and engaged in various philanthropic projects. He funds the Mathis Community Center in Detroit, which offers classes, food assistance, and training for ex-convicts, among other services.
Books
As an author, Mathis penned the book "Of Being a Judge to Criminals and Such," and co-wrote the novel "Street Judge" with erotic fiction writer Zane. He also authored a memoir entitled "Inner City Miracle."
Personal Life
In 1985, Mathis married Linda Reese, a fellow student from EMU. Together, they have four children: daughters Jade and Camara and sons Greg Jr. and Amir. Unfortunately, Linda filed for divorce in August 2024 after 39 years of marriage.
Like his late mother, Mathis is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A spiritual-based play about his life, called "Been There, Done That," toured the United States in 2002.
Real Estate
In November 2011, Greg and his wife paid $5.3 million for a large home high up in the hills of Beverly Hills. Today this home is likely worth $8-9 million.
