Ketanji Brown Jackson Earned $2 Million from Her Memoir ‘Lovely One’ Last Year

WASHINGTON – Last year, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson earned over $2 million for her best-selling memoir, “Lovely One,” as per her annual financial disclosure published on Tuesday.

Jackson’s outside earnings were higher than those of her fellow justices combined, according to the reports. Justice Neil Gorsuch revealed he earned $250,000 for his book published last year, whereas Justice Sonia Sotomayor mentioned she received $134,000 in royalties and an advance for a new book scheduled for release next year.

The annual disclosures provide a limited insight into the justices’ finances, as they are not obligated to disclose the values of their homes or, if married, their spouses’ incomes. Their investment values are also noted in ranges.

The justices earn a salary of $303,600 for their work on the court, except for Chief Justice John Roberts, who is paid $317,500.

“Lovely One” was published by Random House in September and briefly topped the New York Times bestseller list. Jackson, the first Black woman on the nation’s highest court, signed the contract soon after taking her seat in 2022 and last year reported receiving a nearly $900,000 advance. She undertook an extensive speaking tour to promote the book and reported 15 paid trips across the country last summer and fall.

The nearly $3 million she has received so far rivals the contract Sotomayor signed for her memoir, “My Beloved World,” first published in 2013. Sotomayor, who also has written several children’s books, is writing a new one called “Just Shine! How to Be a Better You” inspired by her late mother, People magazine has reported.

Gorsuch’s latest book, “Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law,” was published in August by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh also have book deals.

Barrett, Kavanaugh and Gorsuch reported a bit more than $30,000 each for one- or two-week law school teaching gigs. Barrett and Kavanaugh taught at the University of Notre Dame’s law school in South Bend, Indiana. Each has a child attending college there and Barrett was on the law school faculty before becoming a judge. Gorsuch taught in George Mason University’s summer law program in Porto, Portugal.

Roberts reported teaching a two-week course in Galway, Ireland in July. He said he wasn’t paid until February. His compensation will be on the report that’s released a year from now.

The only justice whose report was not available Tuesday is Samuel Alito, who received an extension for up to 90 days, as he does most years.