Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Ruth Madoff Unwanted At Son's Memorial Service


By

Jen Chung

Published Feb 10, 2011

Modified Feb 10, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Bernard, Ruth and Mark Madoff

 


By

Jen Chung

Published Feb 10, 2011

Modified Feb 10, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Last December, the oldest son of Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff killed himself in his Soho apartment, emotionally distraught over the cloud his father's dealings had left over his life. Mark Madoff had been estranged from his now-imprisoned father and mother Ruth, and now it's reported that Ruth Madoff was "turned away" from his memorial "by his unforgiving widow, Stephanie."

The Post says that Ruth Madoff flew from Florida to Connecticut for the service and, after the snub, ended up sitting shiva alone at a friend's house. The friend said, "She told me, 'At night, it gets to me -- the shame, the disgrace, all the stuff that killed Mark.'" In the wake of Bernard Madoff's revelations, Mark Madoff and his brother Andrew allegedly told their mother to choose between them or their father, and Ruth picked Bernie, causing their rift.

People magazine says that Ruth Madoff is living a quiet life in Florida, using her maiden name Alpern (her sister and brother-in-law also live in Florida and now run a car service to make ends meet). The friend added, "If Ruth were able to feel that pain, in the magnitude that it's actually there, I don't know that she wouldn't do what Mark wound up doing."

Tagged

Andrew Madoff

Bernard Madoff

Mark Madoff

memorial

ponzi scheme

Ruth Madoff

stephanie madoff


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves

The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.

By

Arya Sundaram

and

Samantha Max

Published Oct 14, 2026 at 5:26 p.m. ET


Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid

Kyle Taylor, a dean at Mott Bridges Academy, says he made a legal bus transfer.

By

Carol Chen

News

Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid

Kyle Taylor, a dean at Mott Bridges Academy, says he made a legal bus transfer.

By

Carol Chen


National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter

By

Rosemary Misdary

Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law

By

Jon Campbell

2 men accused of stabbing off-duty NYPD detective in the Bronx plead not guilty

By

Charles Lane

and

Brittany Kriegstein


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .