Ivanka Trump is a well-known American businesswoman, writer, heiress, and former model who, alongside her husband Jared Kushner, has an estimated combined net worth of $800 million. The daughter of former President Donald Trump, she has built a significant career spanning multiple industries. From her early days in New York City to her involvement in the Trump Organization and various business ventures, Ivanka has maintained a high profile.
Early Life and Education
Born in Manhattan, New York City, on October 30, 1981, Ivanka Marie Trump is the second child of Ivana and Donald Trump. She grew up in a privileged environment, but her life was marked by her parents’ divorce when she was just ten years old. Ivanka attended the prestigious Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut, graduating in 2000. She went on to study at Georgetown University for two years before transferring to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.
During her teenage years, Ivanka Trump began a brief career as a model. She worked for renowned brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Sasson Jeans, Versace, Marc Bouwer, and Thierry Mugler. These modeling jobs typically took place during weekends and holidays while she was still attending boarding school. Her modeling experience was short-lived, but it helped her establish an early presence in the public eye.
Business Career and Entrepreneurial Ventures
After earning her degree, Ivanka joined the family business, the Trump Organization, where she took on executive roles, focusing on real estate and hotel management. She later ventured into her own business endeavors, launching her fashion line. This brand, Ivanka Trump, includes a range of clothing, accessories, and footwear.
Ivanka’s entrepreneurial skills were evident in her fashion line’s success. Within just a few years, it generated more than $75 million annually in revenue. She expanded her business to include a line of women’s workwear, which reached $100 million in annual sales. Despite the success, Ivanka decided to shut down the fashion line in 2018 due to declining sales.
Role in Her Father’s Presidential Campaign and White House
In 2015, Ivanka Trump publicly endorsed her father, Donald Trump, during his presidential campaign. As the 2016 election progressed, she became an influential figure, speaking at rallies and advocating for her father’s policies. Her involvement continued into 2017 when she became a Senior Advisor to the President after Donald Trump’s inauguration. She focused on workforce development, women’s empowerment, and child care. Ivanka served in this role until January 2021 when her father’s term ended.
Philanthropic Efforts and Initiatives
Throughout her career, Ivanka has been actively involved in various philanthropic initiatives. She played a prominent role in the launch of the “Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative” in 2019. This initiative aimed to support women’s entrepreneurship around the world. Ivanka has traveled to several countries, including Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, and Morocco, to promote the initiative.
Her charitable work is not limited to global initiatives. Ivanka has supported local organizations such as Chai Lifeline and United Hatzalah, and she also donated the unpaid portion of her book advance for “Women Who Work” to the National Urban League and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Media Appearances and Writing
Ivanka Trump has not only been involved in business and politics but also in media. She hosted the Miss Teen USA Pageant in 1997 and appeared on multiple television talk shows. Additionally, she served as a boardroom judge on her father’s reality TV shows “The Apprentice” and “The Celebrity Apprentice,” having joined the cast in 2006.
As an author, Ivanka has published two books: The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life (2009) and Women Who Work: Rewriting the Rules for Success (2017). In her first book, she shares insights from her personal and professional experiences. The second book focuses on providing advice for women in the workplace, drawing from her challenges and triumphs.
Ivanka Trump’s personal life is closely tied to her professional success. She met her husband, real estate developer Jared Kushner, in 2005, and they married in 2009 after briefly breaking up in 2008. Together, they have three children. Ivanka was raised as a Presbyterian Christian but converted to Orthodox Judaism before their marriage in 2009.
Her father’s presidency further increased Ivanka’s public profile. As First Daughter and a senior advisor to the president, Ivanka was often in the spotlight, representing the administration in domestic and international settings.
Financial Disclosures and Wealth
In 2017, Ivanka and Jared Kushner’s financial disclosure revealed they were beneficiaries of a real estate and investment business valued at $740 million. Jared Kushner, who had a personal net worth of $325 million at the time, was involved in managing a substantial real estate portfolio through his family business, the Kushner Companies. The Kushner Companies owned approximately $7 billion in real estate assets across the United States.
Ivanka’s financial disclosures also revealed significant assets. In 2018, she reported having $55 million in assets, including earnings from her stake in the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC. Additionally, she earned millions of dollars from investments and trusts.
Real Estate Investments
In December 2020, Ivanka and Jared Kushner made a high-profile real estate investment. They purchased an undeveloped 1.8-acre plot of land on the exclusive Indian Creek Island in Miami for $30 million. The seller of the land was Latin singer Julio Iglesias. This island is known for its extreme privacy and is often referred to as the “Billionaire Bunker.” Residents of the island include celebrities such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z, NFL coach Don Shula, and supermodel Adriana Lima.
Indian Creek Island is considered one of the most exclusive private islands in the world. It is guarded by 14 police officers and is home to only about 40 full-time residents. The island is so private that visitors must have written permission from an owner to access it, and it is illegal to leave the vehicle unless visiting a specific residence.
Ivanka Trump’s journey from a young model in New York to a successful businesswoman, author, and political figure has been marked by ambition and influence. Her personal and professional achievements, along with her marriage to Jared Kushner, have contributed to her significant net worth and high profile in both the business and political arenas. With a portfolio that includes investments in real estate, fashion, and public service, Ivanka Trump continues to shape her legacy in the public eye.
