Simone Cruickshank Rivera is a New York-based attorney who graduated from Yale Law School in 2022. She’s the daughter of journalist Geraldo Rivera and academic Cynthia Cruickshank, but she’s built a legal career focused on litigation at Gibson Dunn, not media fame. Born September 1, 1994, Simone works as an associate attorney after clerking for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Early Life: Growing Up Between Two Worlds
Simone was born in New York City to parents from strikingly different professional spheres.
Her father, Geraldo Rivera, is a Fox News veteran and television journalist who hosted the tabloid talk show Geraldo from 1987 to 1998. Born July 4, 1943, he’s of Puerto Rican and Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
Her mother, Dr. Cynthia Cruickshank, is a Canadian mechanical and aerospace engineering professor at Carleton University in Ottawa. She directs the Centre for Advanced Building Envelope Research and specializes in solar thermal energy systems.
Geraldo and Cynthia married on July 11, 1987. Their marriage faced significant challenges, including six unsuccessful IVF attempts that resulted in miscarriages. Despite these difficulties, they had two daughters: Isabella Holmes Rivera (born 1992) and Simone (born 1994). The couple divorced in 2000 after 13 years together.
Simone’s childhood reflected her mixed Puerto Rican and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. She grew up primarily with her mother and sister after the divorce, maintaining a careful distance from the media attention surrounding her father’s career.
Northwestern University: Academic Excellence Takes Shape
Simone attended The Spence School in Manhattan before enrolling at Northwestern University. She graduated magna cum laude in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Legal Studies.
Her undergraduate achievements included:
- Phi Beta Kappa honor society membership
- Departmental honors in legal studies
- Trial preparation assistant role at the New York County District Attorney’s Office
This early legal exposure happened during her college years, giving Simone her first taste of courtroom work and criminal justice proceedings.
Yale Law School: Building a Legal Foundation
In 2019, Simone enrolled at Yale Law School, one of the nation’s most selective law programs. She graduated with her J.D. in 2022.
At Yale, Simone held multiple leadership positions:
- Executive articles editor for the Yale Journal of International Law
- Active participant on Yale Law School’s Jessup International Moot Court team
- Research assistant for Professor George Priest
- Legal extern at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut
These roles gave her experience in legal scholarship, international law, and federal prosecution before she ever entered private practice.
Career at Gibson Dunn: Litigation in New York
Simone joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP as an associate in the firm’s New York office after completing a federal clerkship. She works in the Litigation Department and is currently on secondment as of early 2025.
Before joining Gibson Dunn, she clerked for the Honorable William F. Kuntz, II, in the Eastern District of New York. This federal clerkship—a prestigious position typically awarded to top law school graduates—involved researching cases and drafting judicial opinions.
At Gibson Dunn, Simone has worked on high-profile cases. In September 2025, she was part of a team representing Meghan Messenger, co-CEO of tech company Next Jump Inc., in a federal bribery trial in Washington, D.C. The case ended in a mistrial after jurors deadlocked.
She is admitted to practice law in New York State.
Siblings: The Extended Rivera Family
Simone has four siblings from her father’s five marriages:
- Isabella Holmes Rivera (born 1992) is her full sister, sharing both parents. Isabella also maintains a private life and avoids public attention.
- Gabriel Rivera is an older half-brother from Geraldo’s third marriage to Sheryl Raymond. He keeps an extremely low profile.
- Cruz Grant Rivera is another half-brother who has faced legal troubles, including assault allegations and jail time. His challenges have brought him more media attention than his siblings.
- Solita Lilliana Rivera is Simone’s younger half-sister from Geraldo’s current marriage to Erica Michelle Levy (married August 2003). Solita authored a book titled Restrict and maintains a more public presence than Simone. In 2024, Geraldo announced that Solita would attend Northwestern University, following in Simone’s footsteps.
November 13, 2015: Surviving the Paris Terror Attacks
At age 21, Simone was studying abroad in France when she attended a soccer match between France and Germany at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris.
During the match, suicide bombers detonated explosives outside the stadium. French President François Hollande was present and evacuated to safety. Simone and her friends initially dismissed the sounds as firecrackers. As chaos erupted, they witnessed armed SWAT teams rushing toward the stadium.
Over 79,000 people were trapped inside. Simone and three friends eventually fled to safety, though they struggled to find shelter as hotels turned away frightened crowds. A family friend in Paris ultimately helped them reach safety.
Geraldo Rivera appeared on Fox News in tears, visibly shaken as he confirmed Simone’s survival. He said: “I just thank God she wasn’t at the rock concert, but was at the soccer stadium where, because of the President’s presence, there was considerable security.”
The coordinated attacks across Paris killed 130 people. The Bataclan theatre, where 90 people died during a concert by Eagles of Death Metal, was among the targets.
Simone remained in France to complete her studies. The family kept their Thanksgiving plans to visit Paris.
A Deliberately Private Life
Unlike her father’s five-decade career in television, Simone avoids public attention. Her Instagram account (@simmrivv) is private with roughly 1,000 followers. She rarely appears in media interviews or on social media platforms.
This privacy extends to her personal relationships. As of 2025, there is no public information about Simone’s romantic life or marital status. A wedding website for “Simone Rivera and Jason Grohowski” appeared online, but details remain unconfirmed and private.
The Geraldo Rivera Relationship
Geraldo has been married five times:
- Linda Coblentz (1965–1969)
- Edith Vonnegut (1971–1975)
- Sherryl Raymond (1976–1984)
- Cynthia Cruickshank (1987–2000) — Simone’s mother
- Erica Michelle Levy (2003–present)
Despite the divorce, Geraldo publicly expresses pride in Simone’s achievements. In March 2024, he tweeted about Solita following Simone to Northwestern, calling Simone part of the “class of ’17.”
However, sources suggest Simone and Isabella are closer to their mother than their father. The sisters appear less frequently with Geraldo than his youngest daughter does.
Professional Standing and Financial Independence
Legal sources report Simone’s annual income exceeds $1 million, significantly higher than typical associate salaries. For context, the median salary for a judicial law clerk is approximately $42,000 annually, while first-year associates at top law firms earn around $215,000.
Her father, Geraldo, has an estimated net worth of $20 million built over 50 years in journalism and television.
Simone’s financial success at age 31 demonstrates her independent professional achievements, separate from family wealth.
Where Is She Now? (2025 Status)
As of February 2025, Simone works as an associate at Gibson Dunn’s New York office. The firm’s website notes she is “currently on secondment,” meaning she’s temporarily assigned to another organization or project.
She remains admitted to practice in New York State and continues her litigation work. Based in Brooklyn, according to her LinkedIn profile, Simone has built a reputation as a capable attorney in high-stakes cases.
FAQs
Who is Simone Cruickshank Rivera’s mother?
Cynthia Cruickshank is a Canadian engineering professor at Carleton University who specializes in sustainable building technologies and solar thermal energy systems.
Where did Simone Cruickshank Rivera go to law school?
Yale Law School, where she earned her J.D. in 2022. She also holds degrees from Northwestern University (B.A. Political Science and Legal Studies, 2017).
What law firm does Simone Rivera work at?
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in New York, where she practices in the Litigation Department.
How old is Simone Cruickshank Rivera?
Born September 1, 1994, she is 31 years old as of February 2026.
Was Simone Rivera married?
No public information confirms Simone’s marital status. She maintains strict privacy about her personal relationships.
What happened to Simone Cruickshank Rivera in Paris?
In November 2015, she survived the Paris terror attacks while attending a soccer match at the Stade de France. She and her friends escaped safely despite the coordinated bombings.
The Takeaway
Simone Cruickshank Rivera proves you can build your own identity despite a famous last name. She chose law over media, privacy over publicity, and substance over celebrity. Her Yale education, federal clerkship, and Gibson Dunn litigation work speak louder than any family connection.