Donald John Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, to Frederick C. and Mary Trump. Frederick was a builder and real estate developer who built affordable single family and row homes.1 Trump attended Fordham University, then the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1968 with a degree in economics.
Trump expanded the family business, changing the name to The Trump Organization. He took on major renovation projects, such as restoring the exterior of Grand Central Terminal in New York and transforming the adjacent Commodore Hotel into the Grand Hyatt.2
In 2001, Trump opened the iconic Trump Tower and a number of other real estate projects, which eventually garnered him millions of square feet of prime New York City properties.3 Since then, the Trump name has become associated with some of the most prestigious addresses in New York, including the world-renowned Fifth Avenue skyscraper, Trump Tower, Trump World Tower, 40 Wall Street, and Trump Park Avenue.2 He also developed and owns hotels, golf courses and resorts across the country and the world.3
In 2004, Trump built on his celebrity as the star and co-producer of the hit reality television series, The Apprentice,7 which quickly became the number one show on television. “You’re fired!” has become one of the greatest television catchphrases of all time.3 In 2007, Mr. Trump received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he is among the highest paid public speakers in the world.3
In June of 2015, Trump declared his candidacy for President of the United States, pursuing the Republican nomination. His campaign has been very successful, propelling him to frontrunner status.5 The first GOP debate, moderated by Fox News, grabbed a record 25 million viewers, according to Nielsen data, making it the highest-rated primary debate in television history.4
Did You Know…
Mr. Trump is an accomplished author, writing more than 15 best sellers. His 1987 autobiography, The Art of the Deal, has sold more than three million copies2, was number one on The New York Times best seller list and is considered a business classic.3
ANNOTATIONS:
1 The New York Times, June 26, 1999,” Fred C. Trump, Postwar Master Builder of Housing for Middle Class, Dies at 93.”
2 http://www.trump.com/biography/
3 https://www.donaldjtrump.com/about/
4 http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/15/media/fox-business-republican-debate-ratings/index.html
5 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/poll-trump-leads-gop-race-nationally-but-with-weaker-hold-on-the-party/2016/03/07/890cc8d0-e496-11e5-bc08-3e03a5b41910_story.html?hpid=hp_rhp-top-table-main_poll-710am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&tid=a_inl
6 http://www.biography.com/people/donald-trump-9511238#synopsis
7 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364782/epcast