Judge Robert Rinder has announced the death of his father, David, at the age of 73. David Rinder was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia (LBD), a progressive brain disorder.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the TV judge, 48, shared that his father passed away surrounded by family. He described his father as a "London cabbie & lifelong Spurs supporter" who attended his brothers' and grandsons' football matches.
Rinder recalled representing his father for a "bad driving" offense, humorously noting that "the prosecution had a case." He also shared that his parents divorced when he was young and that he and his father were "very different men," with his father favoring Tottenham football club and cigarettes, while Rinder preferred opera.
"When I came out he responded with magnificent indifference: I was still his son, there was nothing else to discuss," Rinder wrote, reflecting on their relationship. He also acknowledged the care his father received in his final years at Jewish Care, highlighting the tenderness shown by staff of different faiths.
Lewy body dementia is characterized by abnormal protein deposits that damage brain cells, affecting thinking, movement, sleep, and behavior. It is one of the most common types of progressive dementia, alongside Alzheimer's disease. Rinder noted that LBD "made the familiar strange and the certain uncertain" and urged the public to learn about the illness, its signs, and support research.
David Rinder is survived by his sons, Robert and Craig, and his mother, Angela Cohen, who raised the brothers as a single parent. Robert Rinder and his mother were recognized with an MBE in 2021 for their contributions to Holocaust education.