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October 30, 2011 6:50 PM

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Ruth Madoff: Why she's telling her story

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: Overtime Original

There are many reasons people decide to talk to "60 Minutes." Some want to clear their name; some want to make sure their side of the story gets told; some just love the attention; and some want to alert the public to corruption or danger.

Of all the myriad reasons we've heard in 44 seasons of "60 Minutes," the rationale of Ruth Madoff - wife of imprisoned financial fraudster Bernie Madoff - was a stunning first. We're not going to spoil it for you by revealing Ruth's reasons. You need to watch it on "60 Minutes Overtime" and find out for yourself.

On "60 Minutes" this week, Ruth and her son Andrew Madoff told their stories publically for the first time - how in December 2008 Bernie Madoff admitted to his family that he'd been running a massive Ponzi scheme. He was arrested by the FBI the next day.

To learn more about the FBI's arrest of Bernie Madoff, click here to see our Overtime piece.

What happened to the entire family in the following months and years is best summed up by "60 Minutes" producer Deirdre Naphin Curran: "It's Biblical, Shakespearean, and Greek tragedy all wrapped in one." Among the elements of this tragedy: financial fraud, duplicity, deception, suicide, estrangement, mystery, and unanswered questions.

To see Morley Safer's "60 Minutes" piece "Madoff," click on the links below. The two-part piece was produced by Deirdre Naphin Curran and Katy Textor.

Click here to watch Ruth and Andrew Madoff, part 1.

Click here to watch Ruth and Andrew Madoff, part 2.

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by cinzia28 November 9, 2011 11:21 PM EST: I thought 60 minutes did an excellent job. Why do people think it is so incredulous that Ruth didn't know the ins and outs of her husbands business when most spouses don't know the actual day to day events of their partner. She worshiped the man and adored him for decades. The fact that he was a sick egomaniac who lived a lie makes her the classic victim. The fact that her life was filled with all the comforts and glamour of the very wealthy make her less sympathetic to the public. Regardless, how can people judge her feelings and thoughts when they have zero idea what they would actually do in her position. Her life as she knew it is over...everything she had and thought she had disappeared in a few weeks...she had no control over this and yet the public wants to crucify her. Her comments were very real to me. Yes they might sound self-absorbed but to assume one in her place would feel any differently is quite presumptious.; Reply to this comment


by agratefulamerican112 November 9, 2011 10:44 AM EST: WHATEVER, RUTH....; Reply to this comment

by Take_Five November 3, 2011 12:34 AM EDT

Somewhere during the interview of Ruth Madoff I decided I didn't believe her when she said she knew nothing about her husband's despicable activities and then I decided I didn't like her. She was vague about her pact with Bernie to commit suicide, she had a falling out with her son, Andrew, and she won't divorce the thief. I don't think she ever had to live like most people do and I saw no character in her -- just a spacey woman still not living in the real world. Andrew was admirable in his thinking about right and wrong.

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by karengray November 5, 2011 10:21 AM EDT: She was a housewife all her life. What do you expect?


by crose2011 November 6, 2011 12:05 PM EST: I think 60 minutes did an excellent job delivering the story. What Mr. Ma doff done, only God can rightfully judge him. He is serving his sentence and his families life is changed forever. Everyone is quick to throw stones. If he and his family turn to their faith, God is merciful and just enough to forgive. America is a Capitalist society and money is a root to all evil. A chain on a bike can't pedal by itself. Everyone assumes risk in investing. Even the risk of being manipulated. I think the family should not be punished. Everyone deserves a chance to live in a free society without condemnation. Ruth do not have to show the public how she feels, you can see it in her eyes. This is a woman that took a vow when she married. Her husband made the mistakes. Should she be punished? No.....Better or for worse.....It takes courage to shed light on a difficult subject. The public isn't so easy to forgive but forgiveness starts from within. I hope Ruth the best and honestly peace in the middle of the storm.


by etemad4267 November 2, 2011 6:46 PM EDT: Shame on CBS for doing this interview. I would not give him or her time of the day and I hope you all did not pay her for this. They should have not even left a penny for her let alone 2 million dollars of people that lost their life savings. what a tragedy; Reply to this comment


by TheEthicsGuy November 2, 2011 10:44 AM EDT: Today the New York Times published a letter I wrote about Ruth and Andrew Madoff. Here's a link to it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/opinion/helping-madoffs-victims.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

I'd be keen to hear your thoughts about it.; Reply to this comment


by redwardsiii November 1, 2011 9:53 AM EDT: very dissapointed in 60 mins. what a cupcake interview.; Reply to this comment


by hamiltongrad October 31, 2011 6:53 PM EDT: i AGREE with peanut: This is NYC news. Not national news.; Reply to this comment

by Rej77 October 31, 2011 5:26 PM EDT

What a tragedy for everyone involved!

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by ElevatingButterfly November 2, 2011 1:08 AM EDT: It is indeed a tragedy for all concerned. The average person has not been exposed to a narcissist, a sociopath an expert con artist who takes pleasure in deceiving others. Con artists are wired differently with responses that are hard to understand. They are unable to love, to experience guilt or even mourn for someone close. I empathize with all and that very much includes his family. I believe that Bernard Madoff shut out his wife and sons from his illicit activities. In sharing his deceit with his family he had nothing to gain. It is normal for loving wives in long marriages to be in denial and stand by their men regardless of their crimes. Being fiercely loyal to a senior professional conman husband and a thieving high achieving academic brother were my weaknesses too. Hashem's richest Blessings to Ruth and Andrew


by eastsidepeanut October 31, 2011 4:14 PM EDT: Your story on the Madoffs is NOT news.Not everyone lives in New York.
Please present news about our stuttering economy,bleak job market,unemployment and the real people who have found ways to create jobs. People want to believe there is hope.
I used to look forward to 60 Minutes.; Reply to this comment

by saadbell October 31, 2011 3:22 PM EDT

These people are disgusting and of course are lying through there perfect teeth. If you are telling the truth than take a polygraph test with one of the best FBI men administering it, bet you ten to one they will not sit for one, because they know they will fail. To put these people on the air makes me want to vomit blood. The wife walked away free with two and half million and you stated she is living modestly, how can you say that is living modestly. Put her rich ass on the streets like a lot of folks these days and beg for money to feed her skinny butt. When the son stated he was starting over, I just can't wrap my mind around this, starting over is living in the worst neighborhood in the States, apply for welfare or work at McDonalds for minimum wage, and than put yourself through college again, lets see that, now that is a news story. They walked away very rich and go on television telling their "sorry" story, the dress that son's wife had on is about the wage a lot of American's get in a year. These people should not be put on television they should be shut away and left to rot. Let them live on government cheese and not know where their next meal will come from, again, that is a story. I will never get over the statement that Madoff's wife is living modestly, just am speechless. Look out your million dollar offices and take a look at the real America.

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by curiouswaveone November 27, 2011 3:47 PM EST: I agree with you and wanted to show solidarity because I think your comments are pretty much at parr with how most Americans feel not just about Madoff and his crimes, but about how our country's leaders are dealing with this enormous rip-off, and many others of the middleclass and related. How people who have done the 'right thing' all their lives, worked within the system and still end up, like you said, working at McDonalds, or begging for a place to stay is a shamefull part in our nations history and something that could have been avoided if more people within/the know would have done something sooner. Greed is the new 5 letter-4 letter word, I'm afraid and Madoff is a surname that will be held in infamy.

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