Before his catchphrase "You're fired!" became the "Talk to the hand!" of the early 2000s, Trump became famous in the '80s when he took the respectable real-estate business he inherited from his father and turned it into an empire. Astutely aware of the currency of fame, Trump marketed his own image and became an unlikely celebrity, with his high-profile marriages---and subsequent divorces---from Marla Maples and Ivana Trump only serving to increase his visibility. After almost going bankrupt in the '90s, he bounced back in 2004 by executive-producing and starring in the hugely successful reality show
The Apprentice. And Trump saw an improvement in his personal life as well in 2005 when he wed Slovenian model Melania Knauss.
Donald Trump Fast Facts:
- Developer of real-estate complexes and skyscrapers, including Trump Tower, Trump Place Apartments and Trump Casino & Resorts.
- Began his business career in an office he shared with his father (also a successful real-estate developer) in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, NY. His father was quoted as saying, "Some of my best deals were made by my son, Donald. Everything he touches turns to gold."
- Author of a number of best-selling books, including The Art of the Deal.
- Was nearly forced to file bankruptcy in 1990 after a loss of over two-thirds of his net worth, or $1.5 billion. Eventually he recovered and returned his net worth to $3 billion.
- Reportedly received $3 million per episode of The Apprentice.
- Donald Trump Relationships:
- Melania Knauss Trump - Wife
- Barron Trump - Son
- Donald Trump Jr. - Son
- Elizabeth Trump - Sister
- Eric Trump - Son
- Fred Trump Jr. - Brother
- Frederick C. Trump - Father
- Ivana Trump - Ex-wife
- Ivanka Trump - Daughter
- Marla Maples - Ex-wife
- Mary MacLeod Trump - Mother
- Maryanne Trump Barry - Sister
- Robert Trump - Brother
- Tiffany Trump - Daughter
- Donald Trump Awards:
- 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Reality/Competition Program - Nominee
- College:
- Attended Fordham University, Bronx, NY; University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, Philadelphia, PA (BS in Economics, 1968)