US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has remained in the national spotlight amid discussions about the court’s direction and speculation surrounding his possible retirement. The 76-year-old conservative justice, who joined the Supreme Court in 2006, faced renewed questions about his future after an erroneous retirement report circulated earlier this year. His long judicial career has also brought attention to his wife, Martha-Ann Bomgardner Alito, who has occasionally become involved in public controversies.
Samuel Alito’s wife is Martha-Ann Bomgardner, a former law librarian who has been married to the Supreme Court justice since 1985. The couple has two adult children, Philip and Laura Alito. Although Martha-Ann generally maintained a private lifestyle for much of their marriage, her public comments and involvement in controversies surrounding flags displayed at their homes have attracted national attention.
Who Is Samuel Alito’s Wife Martha-Ann Bomgardner?
Martha-Ann Bomgardner Alito was born at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and grew up in a military family. Her father served in the United States Air Force for approximately 20 years, which influenced her childhood experiences.
She attended the University of Kentucky, where she studied comparative literature before earning a master’s degree in library science.
Following her education, Martha-Ann pursued a professional career as a law librarian. She worked in the US Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, where she eventually met her future husband.
Those who have known her have described her as intellectually curious, with interests extending beyond law to literature, music, art and community activities.
How Did Samuel Alito and Martha-Ann Bomgardner Meet?
Samuel Alito and Martha-Ann Bomgardner first met while working in the federal legal system in New Jersey.
At the time, Alito was an assistant US attorney, while Martha-Ann worked as a law librarian in the same office. Alito regularly visited the library, giving them opportunities to become acquainted.
According to Martha-Ann’s previous interviews, Alito waited more than a year before asking her on a date.
Their relationship developed as Alito advanced through his legal career. He moved to Washington, DC, in 1981 to work in the Office of the Solicitor General during President Ronald Reagan’s administration.
The couple married in 1985 and have remained together for more than four decades.
How Many Children Do Samuel Alito and His Wife Have?
Samuel Alito and Martha-Ann Bomgardner have two children, a son named Philip Alito and a daughter named Laura Alito.
Philip pursued a legal career, following a professional path similar to his father’s. He attended the University of Virginia before studying law at Duke University.
Laura attended Georgetown University, where she participated in collegiate swimming.
The Alito family previously lived in West Caldwell, New Jersey, during Samuel’s years as a federal appeals court judge.
Despite Samuel Alito’s prominent judicial position, the family has generally avoided sharing extensive details about their personal relationships and everyday lives.
Why Did Martha-Ann Alito Become Involved in the Flag Controversy?
Martha-Ann Alito attracted national attention in 2024 after reports emerged about controversial flags displayed outside properties associated with the couple.
An upside-down American flag had been flown outside their Virginia home in January 2021. Another flag, known as the Appeal to Heaven flag, was displayed at their New Jersey vacation property.
Both symbols became controversial because of their associations with political movements and disputes surrounding the 2020 presidential election.
Samuel Alito stated that his wife was responsible for displaying the upside-down American flag and explained that it followed a disagreement with neighbors. He rejected suggestions that the displays reflected his judicial opinions.
Martha-Ann subsequently attracted further attention when secretly recorded comments from a Supreme Court Historical Society event became public. During the conversation, she discussed her frustration with Pride flags and expressed interest in displaying religious imagery.
The incidents raised questions about judicial impartiality and the boundaries between Supreme Court justices’ professional responsibilities and their families’ personal expression.
Samuel Alito and Martha-Ann’s Marriage Today
Samuel Alito was appointed to the Supreme Court by President George W. Bush and took his seat on January 31, 2006. Before that, he served on the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Throughout his judicial career, Martha-Ann has accompanied him to important public occasions, including his Supreme Court confirmation proceedings and official ceremonies.
Their marriage has continued through significant professional milestones and periods of intense political scrutiny.
As of November 2026, Samuel Alito and Martha-Ann Bomgardner remain married. Their relationship, which began in a New Jersey legal office, has lasted more than 40 years, making Martha-Ann an important part of the justice’s personal history.