The verdict is in… America loves Judge Judy! She just kicked off her seventeenth season, presiding over the number one show in daytime TV. And while her smart and snappy courtroom banter has made her a television star, she’s just as outspoken outside of the courtroom as she is inside it.

“I often think that it would be easier if we actually had a woman in the White House.” -Judge Judy

@katiecouric Has Our next President on today!#JudgeJudyforPres

— Ashley Raines (@caeraines) November 12, 2012

Judge Judy has come a long way since being the only woman in her first year law school class. She opened up to Katie about why she chose the male-dominated profession, why she decided to leave family court and how she ended becoming the leading lady of the law.

“You just do what you have to do to get by and have a sense of humor about it.” -Judge Judy

@katiecouric Loved your comment re: harass being two words.Laughed because funny, one of those sad-but-true.

— V. Hare (@hareme2) November 12, 2012

Judge Judy just celebrated her 70th birthday (although we think she doesn’t look a day over 50!) with a family trip to The Exumas. She shared some photos from her trip and finally revealed what she’s been hiding under those robes!

“Everything new is an adventure.” -Judge Judy

Judge Judy’s success extends far beyond the courtroom and Hollywood fame. As a devoted mother to five children, she just celebrated her 37th wedding anniversary with Jerry Sheindlin. How does she balance her wildly successful career with being a mother? And what does she think is the secret to a lasting marriage?

“We fight, we argue, but we just have that ‘it.’” -Judge Judy

Even though Judge Judy admits she doesn’t know how to use a computer, she recently launched a website called What Would Judy Say, where she dishes out advice on a variety of social issues. She doled out her tough talk to some brave members in our studio audience.

“You just have to get it out. You can’t let it fester.” -Judge Judy

@katieshow Only cry in work place ifmoved by company related event. If its ur personal situation, NEVER.

— Undercover Mother (@UndrcvrMother) November 12, 2012

At 70-years-old, with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a hit TV show and a career that has spanned decades, Judge Judy tells us what she has planned next.

“I feel terrific. I still love working. I still love being in the mix of things.” -Judge Judy

Great interview w/ #JudgeJudy @katiecouric. What an inspirational and successful woman.Great to know the woman behind the rough character.

— Irene Sans (@IreneSans) November 12, 2012