Donald Trump

The Early Years

Donald John Trump was born June 14, 1946 in Queens, New York, to Fred, a multi-millionaire developer who started the Trump Organization, and Mary. He has a brother and two sisters, one of whom is a federal appeals court judge. When he was 13, his parents sent him to the New York Military Academy, where he earned academic honors and played varsity sports.

He then attended Fordham University, and after two years, transferred to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in economics. He joined his father's real estate company, and the rest is history. His father died in 1999.

Business Ventures

Trump jumped on the reality show wagon with The Apprentice in 2004.

Trump's first job was with his father's Trump Organization, where he revitalized a Cincinnati, Ohio apartment complex and after it was sold, profited $6 million. Over the next several decades, he helped acquire, revitalize or build several projects in New York City and around the country.

Donald Trump brands his properties with the Trump name prominently displayed. They all have the Trump name in their titles and have large "T" symbols placed in important areas of the buildings.

Properties Acquired

While most celebrities count the number of awards they've received, Trump counts his properties. Some of his more popular developments are:

• Completed Properties
  • Trump Tower (personal residence in New York City worth $50 million)
  • His Palm Beach estate (worth $125 million)
  • Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida (worth $200 million)
  • Trump Entertainment Resorts -- consists of three casinos, Trump Taj Mahal, Trump Plaza and Trump Marina (his 30% stake in these is worth $150 million)
  • The Estates at Trump National in Rancho Palos Verdes, California
  • Trump Grande in Florida
  • The Trump Building at 40 Wall Street (worth about $100 million)
  • Trump Palace, Trump Parc and Trump Park Avenue in New York City
  • Trump Tower in New York City (He owns the retail and office space on the lower half of this building)
• Current and Future Developments
  • Donald Trump plans on opening several worldwide Trump International Hotel and Towers facilities by 2009
  • TrumpStreet Casino & Entertainment Complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Trump Plaza in New Jersey
  • Trump Ocean Club Baja Mexico

Trump with Miss USA 2005 Chelsea Cooley and Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova.

Miss Universe

In 2002, Donald Trump, in partnership with NBC television, took control of the Miss Universe Organization, which produces the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA contests. In 2006, Trump gave the reigning Miss USA, Tara Connor, a second chance at donning her crown after the under-aged beauty queen admitted to abusing drugs and alcohol. Connor entered a recovery program to deal with her addictions, and Trump got into a verbal battle with talk-show host Rosie O'Donnell for his decision.

Author

Donald Trump is also an author of several books, most of which are about getting and staying successful. Published works include:

• Why We Want You to be Rich: Two Men - One Message with Robert T. Kiyosaki, Meredith McIver and Sharon Letcher (2006)
• Trump: The Best Golf Advice I Ever Received -- (2005)
• Trump: Think Like a Billionaire with Meredith McIver (2004)
• Trump: How to Get Rich with Meredith McIver ( 2004)
• The America We Deserve with Dave Shiflett (2000)
• Trump : The Art of the Deal with Tony Schwartz (1987)

Brand Names

Donald Trump has lent his name to several high-end products, including:

• Donald J. Trump Men's Collection (clothing)
• Trump Ice bottled water
• Trump vodka
• Trump magazine
• Trump University

The Apprentice

In January 2004, Trump ventured into one of his biggest deals -- hosting The Apprentice, a reality television show on NBC where up to 18 men and women compete for a $250,000 internship in one of his many companies. The show was an instant success, landing in the top 10 from the very beginning. The premise of the show is simple. The contestants are split into two teams and each week on national television, they have to complete a task.

The team who fails or loses the task must meet Trump back in his boardroom, where someone (maybe two or three) will be fired. At the end of this "ultimate job interview," the winning candidate is offered a one-year contract, as well as other prizes. In 2007, the show opened its sixth season, this time filming it in Los Angeles, California. Even though ratings have dropped since the show's inception, a seventh season is already in the works. Because of this show, Donald Trump has trademarked his "You're Fired!" catchphrase.

Personal Life

Donald Trump with his third wife, Melania Knauss-Trump.

Donald Trump has been around the block a few times -- three to be exact. He's been thrice married and has five children. His marriages and families include:

• Ivana Zelničkova -- Married from 1977-1992 and have three children together:
  • Donald Jr. (December 31, 1977)
  • Ivanka (October 30, 1981)
  • Eric (January 11, 1984)
• Marla Maples -- Married from 1993-1999 and have one child:
  • Tiffany (October 13, 1993)
• Melania Knauss --The couple was married January 22, 2005 and have one child:
• Barron William (March 20, 2006)

Donald Trump Trivia

• In 2005, he was estimated to be worth $2.6 billion and was number 74 on the "Forbes 400" list, which outlines the 400 wealthiest people in the United States.
• He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• In 1999, he considered running for U.S. President on the Reform Party ticket.
• Actress/model Vanessa Haydon is his daughter-in-law (married to Donald Jr.)
• He earns at least $375,000 for each episode of The Apprentice.