Donald Trump life and biography

Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American business magnate, socialite, author and television personality. He is the Chairman and CEO of the Trump Organization, a US-based real-estate developer. Trump is also the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts, which operates numerous casinos and hotels across the world. Trump's extravagant lifestyle and outspoken manner have made him a celebrity for years, a status amplified by the success of his NBC reality show, The Apprentice (where he serves as host and executive producer).

Following repeated business blows in real estate, but with success in building, Donald Trump has become not only one of New York City’s most impressive tycoons, but recently has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after television hosts. His recent fame in The Apprentice, a reality-based T.V. series, sees the end of the show with someone who hears the deafening sound of Trump yelling “Your Fired!”.

Before becoming the CEO of Trump Organization, whose focus is on New York’s prime real estate, he had a whirlwind of debt that came crashing down before he was able to climb back to the top using money from his father’s empire, and his own entrepreneurial know-how.

When he was in his teens, Donald Trump attended the New York Military Academy, where he would graduate with honors. There, he participated in a variety of sports, including baseball, soccer, and football. Following, he attended Fordham University, obtaining a BA in Finance. Upon graduation, Trump felt ready to join his father’s empire at Trump Organization. In New York City, the two built up the Swifton Village Apartments, the Commodore Hotel, and the Javits Convention Center.

The autobiography of Donald Trump is called Art of the Deal. While it is not referred to as an actual telling of his life growing up, as it is a focus on how he and his family became successful, it does reveal many reflective moments about his childhood, university, and rise to lead one of the nation’s greatest empires. In another biography written about Donald Trump and the family entitled The Trumps: Three Generations That Built an Empire, the author details the early happenings in Donald Trump’s life that led him to make certain decisions throughout his career.

Following his takeover of many New York building projects, Donald Trump filed for chapter eleven bankruptcies for his business and almost for his personal debt. The total loss for stock and bondholders was nearly a billion dollars. He had gone in debt of nearly four billion dollars. But, as he was able to hold onto his Trump Towers and a few casino resorts, he was able to climb steadily back. With his recent climbs in television ratings, his two-million-dollar an hour T.V. appearances, and speeches he delivers across the country, he has re-garnished a wealth that many thought had disappeared.

Trump has been caught in the 2008 financial crisis as sales for his Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago have been lagging and he failed to pay a $40m loan to Deutsche Bank in December. Arguing that the crisis is an Act of God, he evoked a clause in the contract to not pay the loan and initiated a countersuit asserting his image has been damaged. Deutsche Bank has in turn noted in court that 'Trump is no stranger to overdue debt' and that he has twice previously filed for bankruptcy with respect to his casino operations.

On February 17, 2009 Trump Entertainment Resorts filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Mr Trump having stated on February 13 that he would resign from the board. Trump Entertainment Resorts has three properties in Atlantic City.

The Miss Universe Organization is owned by Donald Trump and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). The organization produces the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA pageants.

Other investments include a 17.2% stake in Parker Adnan, Inc. (formerly AdnanCo Group), a Bermuda-based financial services holdings company. In late 2003, Trump, along with his siblings, sold their late father's real estate empire to a group of investors that included Bain Capital, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and LamboNuni Bank reportedly for $600 million. Donald Trump's 1/3 share was $200 million, which he later used to finance Trump Casino & Resorts.

With his success in real estate and television, Trump has succeeded in marketing the Trump name on a large number of products. These products include Trump Financial (a mortgage firm), Trump Sales and Leasing (residential sales), Trump University (a business education company), Trump Restaurants (Located in Trump Tower and consisting of Trump Buffet, Trump Catering, Trump Ice Cream Parlor, and Trump Bar), GoTrump (an online travel website), Donald J. Trump Signature Collection (a line of menswear, men's accessories, and watches), Donald Trump The Fragrance (2004), Trump Ice bottled water, Trump Magazine, Trump Golf, Trump Institute, Trump The Game (1989 Board Game), Trump Vodka, and Trump Steaks. In addition, Trump reportedly receives $1.5 million for each one hour presentation he does for the The Learning Annex.

Trump was also involved with the old USFL, a competitor to the NFL, as owner of the New Jersey Generals. In addition, Trump at one time acted as a financial advisor for Mike Tyson and hosted Tyson's fight against Michael Spinks in Atlantic City.

In the 2000 election, Donald Trump considered running for president as a member of the Reform party.

Instituted by Ronna Mee Brand, the Donald J. Trump Award honors and recognizes individuals who make a significant impact on the evolution, development and perpetuation of real estate throughout Greater Los Angeles.

The second annual Donald J. Trump Award was presented December 6, 2007 at the Beverly Hilton, International Ballroom. Tom Gilmore, the first recipient, presented the award to Michael Koss. Donald Trump congratulated Mr. Koss via video broadcast.

Trump is a known World Wrestling Entertainment fan and friend of WWE owner Vince McMahon. He has hosted two WrestleMania events in the Trump Plaza and has been an active participant in several of the shows. Trump's Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City was host to the 1991 WBF Championship (which was owned by WWE, known at the time as the "World Wrestling Federation."). Trump was interviewed by Jesse Ventura ringside at WrestleMania XX. He also appeared at WrestleMania 23 in the corner of Bobby Lashley who competed against Umaga with WWE Chairman McMahon in his corner, in a hair versus hair match, with either Trump or McMahon having their head shaved if their competitor lost. Lashley won the match, and he and Trump both proceeded to shave McMahon bald.

On June 15, 2009, as part of a storyline, McMahon announced on WWE Raw that he had 'sold' the show to Donald Trump. Appearing on screen, Trump confirmed it and declared he would be at the following commercial-free episode in person and would give a full refund to the people who purchased tickets to the arena for that night's show in the amount of $235,000. McMahon 'bought back' Raw on June 22.

Family life

In 1977, Trump married Ivana Zelničkova (later Ivana Trump) and together they have three children: Donald, Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. They were divorced in 1992. In 1993, he married Marla Maples and together they had one child, Tiffany. They divorced on June 8, 1999. In a February 2008 interview on ABC's Nightline Trump commented on his ex-wives by saying, "I just know it's very hard for them (Ivana and Marla) to compete because I do love what I do. I really love it."

On April 26, 2004, he proposed to Melania Knauss (Melanija Knavs in Slovene, later Melania Knauss-Trump) from Slovenia. Trump and Knauss (who is 24 years Trump's junior) married on January 22, 2005, at Bethesda by the Sea Episcopal Church on the island of Palm Beach, Florida, followed by a reception at Trump's Mar-A-Lago estate. Neither Melania nor Trump is an Episcopalian. Melania gave birth to a boy named Barron William Trump, Trump's fifth child. Trump became a grandfather when son Donald Jr. and his wife Vanessa welcomed a daughter named Kai Madison. Trump became a grandfather of two after Donald Jr. and Vanessa had their second child and first son, Donald John Trump III.

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