Ivanka Trump is an American businesswoman, former fashion designer, and political figure who has built a substantial fortune over the years through diverse ventures in real estate, fashion, and public service. The daughter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ivanka has played a significant role in both the Trump Organization and her father’s presidential campaigns. As of 2024, her estimated net worth, combined with her husband Jared Kushner, is around $800 million. Known for her luxury fashion brand and influential role in the White House, Ivanka has managed to balance her business endeavors with her duties as a senior advisor during her father’s presidency. After stepping away from the political scene following her father’s term, she continues to focus on her real estate investments and family life, further solidifying her status as a prominent figure in both business and politics.
Early Life and Background
Ivanka Trump was born on October 30, 1981, in Manhattan, New York City, as the second child of Donald Trump and Ivana Trump. Growing up as part of the Trump family meant that Ivanka was exposed to wealth, privilege, and the world of business from a young age. Her mother, Ivana, was a former Czech model and businesswoman, while her father, Donald, was a well-known real estate developer and businessman who later became the 45th President of the United States.
Ivanka attended Choate Rosemary Hall, an elite boarding school, and later Georgetown University for two years. She then transferred to the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a degree in economics in 2004. This background in economics and business would later play a significant role in her entrepreneurial ventures and work in the family business.
Business Ventures
Before fully immersing herself in her father’s real estate business, Ivanka began her professional career in modeling. In her teenage years, she modeled for high-profile brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, and Thierry Mugler. However, her career in modeling was short-lived as she pivoted to more business-focused pursuits.
The Trump Organization
Ivanka joined the Trump Organization after graduating from Wharton. She quickly became a key player in her father’s real estate empire, eventually taking on the role of Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisitions. In this role, she oversaw major real estate projects and helped expand the Trump brand worldwide. She was instrumental in securing deals for luxury hotels and residential properties, making her an integral part of the company’s success.
Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry and Fashion
In addition to her work at the Trump Organization, Ivanka ventured into the fashion industry. In 2007, she launched her jewelry line, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, which catered to high-end consumers. The brand’s first flagship store was located on Madison Avenue in New York City. Ivanka’s jewelry line enjoyed success initially, but by 2015, the store had closed, and the brand was discontinued.
Building on her brand’s success in jewelry, Ivanka expanded into women’s apparel, footwear, and accessories. Her clothing line was targeted toward professional women, offering work-appropriate fashion at relatively affordable prices. The brand was sold in major department stores across the U.S. and Canada, including Macy’s and Hudson’s Bay. At its peak, Ivanka’s fashion line was generating over $100 million in annual revenue. However, her involvement in politics and her father’s presidency brought her brand under scrutiny. Facing calls for boycotts and falling sales, Ivanka shut down her fashion line in 2018.
Political Career and Public Service
When Donald Trump launched his presidential campaign in 2015, Ivanka played a crucial role in supporting her father’s bid for the presidency. She became one of his most visible surrogates, speaking at rallies and helping to shape his image as a family-oriented candidate. After her father’s victory in 2016, Ivanka was appointed as a senior advisor in his administration, a role that garnered significant attention and controversy.
Although Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, both took unpaid positions in the White House, their wealth continued to grow during this time, primarily through their vast real estate holdings and business investments. Ivanka focused on key initiatives such as workforce development, women’s empowerment, and child care reform during her tenure in the Trump administration. One of her signature initiatives was the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, which aimed to support women’s economic empowerment around the world.
Ivanka’s tenure in the White House was not without controversy. Critics raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given her and her husband’s extensive business dealings. However, despite the scrutiny, Ivanka remained a key figure in her father’s administration until the end of his term in January 2021.
Real Estate and Investments
The bulk of Ivanka Trump’s wealth comes from her and Jared Kushner’s extensive real estate portfolio. The Kushner family business, Kushner Companies, manages billions of dollars in real estate assets, including residential, commercial, and retail properties. Jared, who serves as the CEO of Kushner Companies, has played a key role in expanding the family’s real estate holdings, particularly in New York City.
In addition to their real estate ventures, the couple has made several high-profile investments. Ivanka and Jared have stakes in various tech companies, including Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm founded by Jared’s brother, Joshua Kushner. The couple has also invested in startups and companies in the hospitality, fashion, and financial sectors.
Financial Disclosures and Earnings
During her time in the White House, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were required to file financial disclosures that shed light on their wealth. These disclosures revealed that the couple earned at least $82 million in outside income in 2017 alone. A significant portion of this income came from real estate deals and investments, but Ivanka also earned money from her stake in the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., as well as royalties from her fashion line before its closure.
Ivanka’s books, “The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life” and “Women Who Work: Rewriting the Rules for Success,” also contributed to her earnings. Although her second book was criticized for being out of touch with the realities faced by many working women, it still added to her overall income through book sales and speaking engagements.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Ivanka married real estate developer Jared Kushner in 2009. The couple has three children and practices Orthodox Judaism, following Ivanka’s conversion to the faith prior to their wedding. Despite their high-profile careers and business ventures, Ivanka and Jared have often emphasized the importance of family, frequently sharing glimpses of their personal lives on social media.
In addition to her business and political endeavors, Ivanka has been involved in various philanthropic activities. She has supported organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the National Urban League. Ivanka also played a key role in the Trump family’s charitable foundation, although the foundation faced legal challenges and was ultimately dissolved.
Post-White House Life
Since leaving the White House in January 2021, Ivanka has largely stayed out of the political spotlight. She has focused on her family and personal projects, opting not to play a visible role in her father’s 2024 presidential campaign. This decision to step back from politics has been attributed to a desire to distance herself from the controversies surrounding her father’s administration and legal troubles.
Despite her reduced public presence, Ivanka’s wealth continues to grow through her various investments and real estate holdings. In 2024, Ivanka and Jared’s net worth remains substantial, with estimates placing it around $800 million.