Ivanka Trump: From Business Empire to Political Advisor and Back Again

Ivanka Trump has lived multiple lives in the public eye: fashion entrepreneur, reality TV personality, White House advisor, and now environmental advocate. As the daughter of former President Donald Trump, she has navigated between family loyalty and personal ambition while building her own distinct career path.

Early Life and Education

Born Ivana Marie Trump on October 30, 1981, in Manhattan, Ivanka grew up immersed in New York's elite social circles. Her parents, Donald Trump and Czech-American model Ivana Trump, divorced when she was nine years old, an experience that shaped her resilience and independence.

Trump attended the prestigious Chapin School in Manhattan before transferring to Choate Rosemary Hall boarding school in Connecticut at age 15. During her teenage years, she began modeling, appearing on the cover of Seventeen magazine and in campaigns for major fashion brands including Tommy Hilfiger and Versace.

Her academic journey took her from Georgetown University to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in economics in 2004. This educational foundation would prove crucial in her future business endeavors.

Business Career and Fashion Empire

After graduation, Trump briefly worked at Forest City Ratner before joining the Trump Organization as Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisitions. She spearheaded major projects including the conversion of Washington D.C.'s Old Post Office into a luxury hotel and the redevelopment of the Doral Hotel in Miami.

Beyond real estate, Trump built her own fashion empire. Her Ivanka Trump brand included clothing, handbags, shoes, jewelry, and fragrances sold in major department stores like Macy's and Hudson's Bay. The brand earned recognition, with Trump receiving the Breakthrough Award from the Accessories Council in 2015.

Her jewelry line, launched in partnership with Dynamic Diamond Corp. in 2007, attracted celebrity endorsements from Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna. Trump also authored two books: The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life (2009) and Women Who Work: Rewriting the Rules for Success (2017).

However, her fashion brand faced increasing scrutiny after her father's presidential campaign, with several retailers dropping her products. She ultimately closed the business in July 2018 to focus on her White House role.

White House Advisory Role

Trump's political involvement began during her father's 2016 presidential campaign, where she delivered a well-received speech at the Republican National Convention. After his victory, she transitioned from unofficial advisor to an official White House employee in March 2017.

As Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Economic Initiatives and Entrepreneurship, Trump focused on women's economic empowerment, paid family leave, and combating human trafficking. She worked without salary and launched the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP), a billion-dollar World Bank program supporting female entrepreneurs worldwide.

Her international diplomatic efforts included representing the United States at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics closing ceremony and participating in G20 summits. She advocated for doubling the child tax credit and supported legislation for federal employee paid family leave.

Despite her achievements, Trump faced criticism over potential conflicts of interest as she maintained business ownership while serving in government. Ethics experts questioned whether her dual roles created inappropriate financial benefits.

Planet Harvest and Current Ventures

After leaving the White House in January 2021, Trump announced she would not participate in her father's 2024 presidential campaign, choosing instead to focus on her family and business interests. In 2023, she co-founded Planet Harvest with Melissa Ackerman, marking her return to entrepreneurship.

Planet Harvest addresses America's food waste crisis by connecting farmers with food companies to utilize "imperfect" produce that doesn't meet traditional appearance standards. The company has rescued over one million pounds of strawberries and partnered with major brands like Chobani to incorporate surplus produce into consumer products.

"So many of the challenges we face today — from rising healthcare costs and chronic disease to food waste and the pressure on small farmers — can be traced to a common root: how we grow, distribute, and access our food," Trump explained in a recent social media post.

The venture aligns with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, focusing on improving nutrition and reversing chronic disease trends. However, the partnership with Chobani sparked controversy and boycott calls from critics who opposed the collaboration due to political differences and concerns about the for-profit nature of the venture.

Today, Trump lives in Surfside, Florida, with her husband Jared Kushner and their three children. She has embraced Brazilian jiu-jitsu training and maintains a lower public profile while building her sustainable agriculture business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ivanka Trump's net worth?

While exact figures vary, Forbes estimates Ivanka Trump's net worth to be in the hundreds of millions, accumulated through her fashion brand, real estate ventures, and Trump Organization involvement.

Why did Ivanka Trump close her fashion brand?

Trump shut down her fashion brand in July 2018 to avoid conflicts of interest while serving as a White House advisor and to focus on public policy work.

Will Ivanka Trump return to politics?

Trump has stated she will not participate in her father's current political activities, preferring to focus on her young children and business ventures.

What does Planet Harvest do?

Planet Harvest is a profit-for-purpose company that connects farmers with food companies to utilize surplus and "imperfect" produce, reducing agricultural waste while supporting farmers' income.