Who Is Esther Salas? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Esther Salas, born on December 29, 1968, is a distinguished American judge serving on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. With a career spanning several decades, Salas has made significant contributions to the judicial system and is recognized for her commitment to justice and equality. With her rich background and extensive experience in the legal field, she continues to inspire many as she navigates her professional journey. As of 2025, Esther Salas is 56 years old.
| Occupation | Lawyers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 29, 1968 |
| Age | 56 Years |
| Birth Place | Monterey Park, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Esther Salas's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Esther Salas stands at an impressive height of 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) and maintains a healthy weight of approximately 140 pounds (63 kg). Her body measurements are often considered to be stately and professional, fitting her role in the judiciary. While her exact measurements are not publicly disclosed, she is known for her poised and elegant appearance.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Esther Salas is a devoted family member and has often spoken about the importance of family in her life. She was previously married to her late husband, who tragically passed away in 2020. Their love story was marked by deep affection and mutual respect. As of 2025, information regarding her relationship status remains private, and she is focused on her professional duties and raising her family.
Salas is from Monterey Park, California, and is the daughter of a Cuban mother and a Mexican father. Her father is Jewish and her mother is Catholic. At the age of five, she, her mother, Aurelia Salas, along with her siblings, moved to Union City, New Jersey.
Though she lost contact with her father when she moved from the West Coast, she would later reconnect with him during the course of the background check she underwent upon being appointed a federal judge.
Growing up indigent, Salas recalls having to translate for her mother at the welfare office, and later helping friends with various problems facing their lives, an activity that led to her pursuit of a career focusing on human services.
Net Worth and Salary
As a federal judge, Esther Salas has an estimated net worth that ranges between $1 million to $5 million as of 2025. Her salary as a U.S. District Court judge is approximately $223,000 annually, reflecting the high regard for her position. Additionally, her investments in various ventures, alongside her legal expertise, contribute to her overall financial status.
Career, Business, and Investments
Esther Salas's career in law began with her earning a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law. Throughout her career, she has held various positions, including serving as a state judge in New Jersey before her appointment to the federal bench in 2010. Salas has been influential in numerous legal reforms and has spoken extensively on issues regarding judicial diversity.
While her primary focus has been her judicial career, she has also engaged in different philanthropic initiatives and events to empower the community. Her investments, although less publicized, are believed to include real estate and various charitable organizations.
In 2006, Salas was selected from a group of 99 applicants as United States magistrate judge for the District of New Jersey, becoming the first Latina in that position, in which she served for five years.
On August 31, 2010, Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez announced they would recommend to President Barack Obama that Salas be nominated as a federal district judge on the same court. Obama nominated her on December 1, 2010, to a seat vacated by Katharine Sweeney Hayden who assumed senior status on May 30, 2010.
The American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, which rates the qualifications of federal judicial nominees, unanimously rated Salas "well qualified" for the judgeship (the committee's highest rating). The nomination expired without Senate action at the end of the 111th Congress.
Obama renominated Salas on January 5, 2011, at the beginning of the 112th Congress, and the Senate confirmed her by voice vote on June 14, 2011 and she received her commission the same day, making her the first Latina on the District Court of New Jersey.
Social Network
Esther Salas maintains a low profile on social media, prioritizing her privacy due to her professional obligations. However, she occasionally uses platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share insights on legal matters and further promote justice and equality. Her professional network consists of fellow judges, lawyers, and community leaders who admire her contributions to the legal field.
The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey has a busy docket; according to a 2018 profile, Salas "presides over as many as 485 civil matters and 50 criminal cases" at any given time.
Education
Esther Salas graduated from Rutgers University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree before pursuing her Juris Doctor at Rutgers University School of Law. Her educational background laid the foundation for her successful career in law and her commitment to serving the public impartially and equitably.
Salas attended Emerson High School in Union City, where her extracurricular activities included cheerleading. After graduating from high school in 1987, she attended Rutgers University–New Brunswick, where she lived on campus and was active in clubs and activities.
Salas graduated from Rutgers in 1991 and in 1994 from Rutgers University School of Law in Newark with a Juris Doctor. She credits her success during her education and during her later professional life to the Minority Student Program.
