Martha-Ann Alito, the wife of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., has maintained a largely private life since her husband’s confirmation to the Supreme Court in 2006. Throughout the years, she has focused on raising their two children and supporting her husband through his judicial career. Despite occasionally addressing audiences or speaking with reporters, Mrs. Alito often describes herself in terms of her role within their close-knit family, guiding them through the challenges that come with Justice Alito’s high-profile position.
Although Mrs. Alito has typically shied away from public attention, she found herself at the center of controversy after an upside-down American flag appeared outside their home in Alexandria, Va., following the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021. Her husband explained that she had placed it there during a neighborhood dispute. Reflecting on their move to Washington, Mrs. Alito welcomed the change as their children were now college-aged, allowing her to transition from her career as a librarian to being a full-time homemaker and mother.
The difficult preparations for Justice Alito’s confirmation in Congress left a bitter memory for Mrs. Alito. She publicly denounced the proceedings and media coverage, emphasizing the negativity and stress it brought to their lives during that time. Despite the pointed questions her husband faced regarding his views on various issues, Mrs. Alito stood by him, affirming that he was not a threat to civil liberties. Her childhood experiences, moving frequently due to her father’s job in the Air Force, helped her navigate these challenges with resilience.
Outside of her role as the wife of a Supreme Court justice, Mrs. Alito has focused on apolitical projects and charity work in Washington. She organized a cookbook in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s husband’s culinary passions and has worked to end homelessness among veterans, inspired by her father’s service. Unlike other partners of Supreme Court justices who have faced controversy, Mrs. Alito has managed to maintain a low profile, with only a few instances drawing limited attention.
Mrs. Alito’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature and a master’s in library sciences from the University of Kentucky. She met Justice Alito in a law library when he was an assistant U.S. attorney, and they married in 1985. Their long-standing relationship began five years earlier, and they tied the knot in the church where he was baptized. Despite the challenges and occasional controversies that have come their way, Mrs. Alito continues to prioritize her family and her role in supporting her husband in his judicial career.
