In brief
This article explores Donald Trump's life, highlighting key milestones such as his business ventures, marriages, and political career leading to his recent election victory.
Donald John Trump, born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, was the fourth of five children in his family, with two brothers, Fred Jr. and Robert, and two sisters, Maryanne and Elizabeth. His father, Fred Trump, operated a successful construction business, which young Donald joined in 1968 before venturing into Manhattan on his own.Over the years, Trump's ventures expanded to include casinos, condominiums, golf courses, and hotels in various locations, including Atlantic City, Chicago, and even as far as India and the Philippines. His colorful personality and grandiose style distinguished him in the competitive business landscape of New York, while his stint on the TV show "The Apprentice" helped catapult him into fame.Trump's personal life saw him marry three times, with his first marriage to Ivana Zelníčková in 1977 and his third to Melania Knauss in 2005, after meeting when he was 52 and she was 28. His political aspirations began in 2015 when he announced his candidacy for the presidency at Trump Tower, using the slogan “Make America great again.”After an intense campaign filled with controversies, Trump won against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and was inaugurated as the 45th president in 2017. His presidency was marked by tumultuous relationships with foreign leaders, withdrawal from climate accords, and the start of a trade war with China.During his final presidency year, Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic drew widespread criticism. Diagnosed with the virus, he had to halt his 2020 re-election campaign. Ultimately, he lost the presidency to Joe Biden, claiming the election was rigged. His rally in Washington on January 6, 2021, escalated into a riot at Congress, resulting in two criminal cases against him.Despite facing numerous legal challenges, Trump announced another presidential bid, once again positioning himself as the front-runner for the Republican Party. He commenced his 2024 campaign while dealing with 91 felony charges, and in May 2024, he was found guilty of 34 counts of fraud linked to hush money payments.After a close escape from an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump was re-nominated as the Republican candidate at the National Convention. Following a dramatic campaign, Trump emerged victorious in the 2024 presidential elections, marking his return to the presidency and positioning him to become the oldest U.S. president, set to be 82 by the end of his term.
