Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the US Supreme Court, died September 18, 2020, due to complications from pancreatic cancer. She was 87.

"Our nation has lost a jurist of historic stature," Chief Justice John Roberts said. "We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague. Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her — a tireless and resolute champion of justice."

Ginsburg had several bouts with cancer. She had radiation therapy for the pancreatic cancer in 2019. In 2018, she underwent surgery to remove two cancerous nodules from her left lung. She was also treated for early stages of pancreatic cancer in 2009, and she had surgery to treat colon cancer in 1999.

Ginsburg was the oldest Supreme Court justice. She was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and she led the court's liberal wing.

Ginsburg was born Joan Ruth Bader on March 15, 1933. Here she is at 2 years old.
Ginsburg was born Joan Ruth Bader on March 15, 1933. Here she is at 2 years old.
Supreme Court of the United States
A photo of Ginsburg from her high school yearbook.
A photo of Ginsburg from her high school yearbook.
AP
Ginsburg, 13, sits immediately to the left of Rabbi Harry Halpern at the East Midwood Jewish Center, a synagogue in Brooklyn, New York, in 1946.
Ginsburg, 13, sits immediately to the left of Rabbi Harry Halpern at the East Midwood Jewish Center, a synagogue in Brooklyn, New York, in 1946.
Courtesy of Joan and Stuart Danoff
Ginsburg and her cousin Richard ski at a lodge in the Adirondacks circa 1946.
Ginsburg and her cousin Richard ski at a lodge in the Adirondacks circa 1946.
Courtesy of Si and Roz Bessen
Ginsburg is the maid of honor at a cousin's wedding in 1951.
Ginsburg is the maid of honor at a cousin's wedding in 1951.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
Ginsburg met her husband, Martin,<strong> </strong>while attending Cornell University, and both went on to study law. The couple were engaged in December 1953.
Ginsburg met her husband, Martin, while attending Cornell University, and both went on to study law. The couple were engaged in December 1953.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
Ginsburg and her husband married in June 1954. She was 21 at the time.
Ginsburg and her husband married in June 1954. She was 21 at the time.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
The couple went on to have two children: Jane, born in 1955, and James, born in 1965.
The couple went on to have two children: Jane, born in 1955, and James, born in 1965.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
A portrait of Ginsburg from 1977. At the time, she was a professor at the Columbia University School of Law. She was also a general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union.
A portrait of Ginsburg from 1977. At the time, she was a professor at the Columbia University School of Law. She was also a general counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union.
Bettmann/Getty Images
Ginsburg is joined by family members on the steps of the US Supreme Court after arguing a case there in November 1978. With Ginsburg, from left, are her brother-in-law Ed Stiepleman; her nephew David Stiepleman; and her son, James.
Ginsburg is joined by family members on the steps of the US Supreme Court after arguing a case there in November 1978. With Ginsburg, from left, are her brother-in-law Ed Stiepleman; her nephew David Stiepleman; and her son, James.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
Ginsburg was the first woman to be hired with tenure at the Columbia University School of Law. She also taught at the Rutgers University School of Law.
Ginsburg was the first woman to be hired with tenure at the Columbia University School of Law. She also taught at the Rutgers University School of Law.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
Ginsburg, her husband and their two children -— James and Jane — pose for a photo off the shore of St. Thomas in 1979.
Ginsburg, her husband and their two children -— James and Jane — pose for a photo off the shore of St. Thomas in 1979.
Supreme Court of the United States
In 1980, US President Jimmy Carter nominated Ginsburg to be a judge for the US Court of Appeals' District of Columbia Circuit.
In 1980, US President Jimmy Carter nominated Ginsburg to be a judge for the US Court of Appeals' District of Columbia Circuit.
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Ginsburg in her chambers at the US Courthouse in Washington.
Ginsburg in her chambers at the US Courthouse in Washington.
Terry Ashe/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty
Ginsburg, her husband and their children vacation in Egypt in 1985.
Ginsburg, her husband and their children vacation in Egypt in 1985.
Dennis Cook/AP
Ginsburg and her husband take a bus to Paris circa 1988.
Ginsburg and her husband take a bus to Paris circa 1988.
Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
Ginsburg reads to a group of children at the 10th anniversary of the TV show "Reading Rainbow" in 1993.
Ginsburg reads to a group of children at the 10th anniversary of the TV show "Reading Rainbow" in 1993.
Wally McNamee/Corbis/Getty Images
President Bill Clinton nominated Ginsburg to the US Supreme Court in June 1993. Here, Ginsburg is holding a photograph of Hillary Clinton singing "the toothbrush song" with Ginsburg's granddaughter Clara and her nursery school class.
President Bill Clinton nominated Ginsburg to the US Supreme Court in June 1993. Here, Ginsburg is holding a photograph of Hillary Clinton singing "the toothbrush song" with Ginsburg's granddaughter Clara and her nursery school class.
White House Photo/Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
Ginsburg talks with a reporter after being nominated for the Supreme Court in 1993. On the far right is US Sen. Joe Biden. US Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan is wearing the bowtie.
Ginsburg talks with a reporter after being nominated for the Supreme Court in 1993. On the far right is US Sen. Joe Biden. US Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan is wearing the bowtie.
CQ Archive/Roll Call Group/Getty Images
Ginsburg is greeted by her husband during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Ginsburg is greeted by her husband during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
John Duricka/AP
During her confirmation hearing, Ginsburg holds up a book titled "My Grandma is Very Special." It was written by Paul Spera, her grandson.
During her confirmation hearing, Ginsburg holds up a book titled "My Grandma is Very Special." It was written by Paul Spera, her grandson.
Jennifer K. Law/AFP/Getty Images
Ginsburg takes the Supreme Court oath from Chief Justice William Rehnquist, right, in August 1993. Joining them were Clinton and Martin Ginsburg.
Ginsburg takes the Supreme Court oath from Chief Justice William Rehnquist, right, in August 1993. Joining them were Clinton and Martin Ginsburg.
Marcy Nighswander/AP
From the steps of the Supreme Court, Rehnquist introduces Ginsburg to the press in October 1993.
From the steps of the Supreme Court, Rehnquist introduces Ginsburg to the press in October 1993.
Jose R. Lopez/The New York Times/Redux
Ginsburg poses with family members at the Supreme Court in October 1993. With Ginsburg, from left, are her son-in-law, George Spera; her daughter, Jane; her granddaughter Clara Spera; her husband, Martin; her son, James; and her grandson Paul Spera.
Ginsburg poses with family members at the Supreme Court in October 1993. With Ginsburg, from left, are her son-in-law, George Spera; her daughter, Jane; her granddaughter Clara Spera; her husband, Martin; her son, James; and her grandson Paul Spera.
Doug Mills/AP
Ginsburg and her husband embrace while attending an event. The two were married for nearly 60 years. Martin Ginsburg died in 2010.
Ginsburg and her husband embrace while attending an event. The two were married for nearly 60 years. Martin Ginsburg died in 2010.
Courtesy of Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
This informal group photo was taken of the US Supreme Court in December 1993. From left are Clarence Thomas, John Paul Stevens, Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Sandra Day O'Connor, Anthony Kennedy, David Souter, Ginsburg and Harry Blackmun.
This informal group photo was taken of the US Supreme Court in December 1993. From left are Clarence Thomas, John Paul Stevens, Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Sandra Day O'Connor, Anthony Kennedy, David Souter, Ginsburg and Harry Blackmun.
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Scalia and Ginsburg pose on an elephant during their tour of India in 1994. Scalia once said they were an "odd couple" and he counted her as his "best buddy" on the bench.
Scalia and Ginsburg pose on an elephant during their tour of India in 1994. Scalia once said they were an "odd couple" and he counted her as his "best buddy" on the bench.
Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States
Ginsburg, second from left, and Scalia, second from right, appeared in the opening-night production of "Ariadne auf Naxos," an opera at the Kennedy Center in Washington in 1994.
Ginsburg, second from left, and Scalia, second from right, appeared in the opening-night production of "Ariadne auf Naxos," an opera at the Kennedy Center in Washington in 1994.
Carol Pratt/Courtesy of the Kennedy Center
Ginsburg and fellow Justice Sandra Day O'Connor hold basketballs given to them by the US women's basketball team in December 1995.
Ginsburg and fellow Justice Sandra Day O'Connor hold basketballs given to them by the US women's basketball team in December 1995.
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Ginsburg, front right, poses with other prominent Jewish-Americans while standing in a maze on New York's Ellis Island in 1996. It was part of a project by photographer Frederic Brenner. Also in the front row, from left, are artist Roy Lichtenstein, actress Lauren Bacall, violinist Itzhak Perlman and playwright Arthur Miller.
Ginsburg, front right, poses with other prominent Jewish-Americans while standing in a maze on New York's Ellis Island in 1996. It was part of a project by photographer Frederic Brenner. Also in the front row, from left, are artist Roy Lichtenstein, actress Lauren Bacall, violinist Itzhak Perlman and playwright Arthur Miller.
Adam Nadel/AP
Ginsburg sits in her Supreme Court chambers in 2002.
Ginsburg sits in her Supreme Court chambers in 2002.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Ginsburg makes her way through a crowd after an address at an ACLU conference in June 2003.
Ginsburg makes her way through a crowd after an address at an ACLU conference in June 2003.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
Ginsburg and her husband laugh as they listen to Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer speak at Columbia Law School in September 2003.
Ginsburg and her husband laugh as they listen to Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer speak at Columbia Law School in September 2003.
Ed Bailey/AP
Ginsburg stands with President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the Department of State in January 2005. Ginsburg had sworn in Rice that day.
Ginsburg stands with President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the Department of State in January 2005. Ginsburg had sworn in Rice that day.
White House Photo/Justice Ginsburg's Personal Collection
From left, Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer, John Roberts, Ginsburg and Anthony Kennedy pose for a photo before meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris in July 2007.
From left, Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer, John Roberts, Ginsburg and Anthony Kennedy pose for a photo before meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris in July 2007.
Stephane De Sakutin/AFP/Getty Images
Ginsburg wears a "Super Diva" sweatshirt as she works out at the Supreme Court in August 2007.
Ginsburg wears a "Super Diva" sweatshirt as she works out at the Supreme Court in August 2007.
Courtesy of Wendy Williams
Ginsburg talks with filmmaker David Grubin about his PBS series "The Jewish Americans" in 2008.
Ginsburg talks with filmmaker David Grubin about his PBS series "The Jewish Americans" in 2008.
Kevin Wolf/AP
Ginsburg arrives to a joint session of Congress where President Barack Obama was speaking in 2009. That month, Ginsburg had surgery and treatment for early stages of pancreatic cancer. A decade before, she had successful surgery for colon cancer.
Ginsburg arrives to a joint session of Congress where President Barack Obama was speaking in 2009. That month, Ginsburg had surgery and treatment for early stages of pancreatic cancer. A decade before, she had successful surgery for colon cancer.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Pool/Getty Images
The only women who have become Supreme Court justices pose together in 2010. From left are Sandra Day O'Connor, Sonia Sotomayor, Ginsburg and Elena Kagan.
The only women who have become Supreme Court justices pose together in 2010. From left are Sandra Day O'Connor, Sonia Sotomayor, Ginsburg and Elena Kagan.
Supreme Court of the United States
While standing to receive an honorary degree from Harvard University, Ginsburg was surprised with a serenade from Spanish tenor Placido Domingo in 2011. Domingo also received an honorary degree.
While standing to receive an honorary degree from Harvard University, Ginsburg was surprised with a serenade from Spanish tenor Placido Domingo in 2011. Domingo also received an honorary degree.
Pat Greenhouse/Boston Globe/Getty Images
Ginsburg visits with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State Department in Washington in 2012.
Ginsburg visits with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State Department in Washington in 2012.
AP
In August 2013, Ginsburg celebrated her 20th anniversary on the Supreme Court.
In August 2013, Ginsburg celebrated her 20th anniversary on the Supreme Court.
Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post/Getty Images
President Barack Obama hugs Ginsburg as he arrives to deliver the State of the Union address in January 2015. Ginsburg didn't shy away from fashion. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2018%2F03%2F21%2Fpolitics%2Fruth-bader-ginsburg-scrunchies%2Findex.html" target="_blank">She often accessorized</a> her black robe with intricate lace collars and an array of different gloves.
President Barack Obama hugs Ginsburg as he arrives to deliver the State of the Union address in January 2015. Ginsburg didn't shy away from fashion. She often accessorized her black robe with intricate lace collars and an array of different gloves.
Mandel Ngan/Pool/Getty Images
Ginsburg, with an extra from "Carmen," attends the opera at the Kennedy Center in Washington in October 2015.
Ginsburg, with an extra from "Carmen," attends the opera at the Kennedy Center in Washington in October 2015.
Mark Peterson/Redux
Ginsburg acknowledges applause before a speaking event in Chicago in September 2017.
Ginsburg acknowledges applause before a speaking event in Chicago in September 2017.
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Ginsburg arrives to speak at New York University's law school in February 2018.
Ginsburg arrives to speak at New York University's law school in February 2018.
Sam Hodgson/The New York Times/Redux
Ginsburg gives a keynote address at Columbia University in February 2018.
Ginsburg gives a keynote address at Columbia University in February 2018.
Diane Bondareff for Columbia University
Ginsburg and other Supreme Court justices attend a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House in November 2018.
Ginsburg and other Supreme Court justices attend a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House in November 2018.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
The US Supreme Court, with newest member Brett Kavanaugh, poses for an official portrait in Washington in November 2018. In the back row, from left, are Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Kavanaugh. In the front row, from left, are Stephen Breyer, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Ginsburg and Samuel Alito.
The US Supreme Court, with newest member Brett Kavanaugh, poses for an official portrait in Washington in November 2018. In the back row, from left, are Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Kavanaugh. In the front row, from left, are Stephen Breyer, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John Roberts, Ginsburg and Samuel Alito.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Ginsburg leaves a private ceremony at the Great Hall of the Supreme Court, where former Justice John Paul Stevens was lying in repose in July 2019.
Ginsburg leaves a private ceremony at the Great Hall of the Supreme Court, where former Justice John Paul Stevens was lying in repose in July 2019.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Ginsburg makes her first public appearance since it was announced in August 2019 that she had undergone recent treatment for pancreatic cancer. While accepting an honorary degree from the University at Buffalo, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2019%2F08%2F26%2Fpolitics%2Fruth-bader-ginsburg-health%2Findex.html" target="_blank">she made remarks</a> and briefly referenced her health.
Ginsburg makes her first public appearance since it was announced in August 2019 that she had undergone recent treatment for pancreatic cancer. While accepting an honorary degree from the University at Buffalo, she made remarks and briefly referenced her health.
Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP
In December 2019, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2019%2F12%2F17%2Fpolitics%2Fruth-bader-ginsburg-donald-trump-lawyer-trnd%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Ginsburg was awarded the Berggruen Institute Prize for Philosophy and Culture.</a> She planned to donate the $1 million prize to a number of organizations that promote opportunities for women.
In December 2019, Ginsburg was awarded the Berggruen Institute Prize for Philosophy and Culture. She planned to donate the $1 million prize to a number of organizations that promote opportunities for women.
Krista Schlueter/The New York Times/Redux
Ginsburg participates in a discussion about the 19th Amendment at the Georgetown University Law Center in February 2020. The 19th Amendment guaranteed women the right to vote.
Ginsburg participates in a discussion about the 19th Amendment at the Georgetown University Law Center in February 2020. The 19th Amendment guaranteed women the right to vote.
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images