How Donald Trump Achieved a Net Worth of $2.5 Billion

After falling off the list in 2021, Donald Trump was back on the Forbes 400 list . This is the list that chronicles the 400 richest Americans. His estimated fortune as of now stands at $2.5 billion. So how did the businessman and controversial 45th president of the United States make his money? Let’s take it from the top.

Donald Trump: The Early Years

Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York. He grew up in a comfortable yet modest, 5 bedroom Tudor-style home in the Jamaica Estates section of the borough with his parents, Fred and Mary Anne, and his brothers and sisters.

His father started a construction company in 1920, while still in his teens. The elder Trump is credited with starting the middle class urban housing boom. From barracks for military members, single family homes in Queens, and apartments in Brooklyn, he created over 27,000 dwellings in all.

Upon graduating from Wharton Business School in 1971, he took over his father’s lucrative real estate business and renamed it the Trump Organization. He ventured from Queens and over the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan, and over the years built and renovated skyscrapers and hotels.

Trump said he set his sights on Manhattan so as not to compete with or be in his father’s shadow. He went on to revamp casinos, golf courses, and resorts all over the country. This, combined with his long-running television show The Apprentice, and merchandising have all contributed to his 2.5 billion dollar net worth. Let’s take a closer look at how Trump built his wealth.

Donald Trump Net Worth

If you’ve ever visited New York City, you have probably walked past, or at least viewed a building that the former president owns. Trump says he got his start with a $1 million dollar loan from his father to buy his first property and that was the extent of the assistance from the elder Trump.

Some sources have claimed that he received over $400 million from his dad for real estate purchases. Donald denies these claims. Here is what we do know: he owns (or partially owns) a lot of property. Including the following:

1. Trump Tower (1290 Avenue of the Americas)

Considered the crown jewel of his collection, the tower has 263 luxury apartments, offices, and retail space. Trump also maintains his personal penthouse at this site.

2. Trump Park Avenue (formerly the Hotel Delmonico)

This building includes 120 luxury condos.

3. 6 East 57th Street

This 8-story building’s most famous occupant is Tiffany & Company.

4. Trump Parc and Trump Parc East

These 2 adjoining buildings contain 304 apartments, 12 condos, retail space, and parking.

5. Trump World Tower

Trump built this distinctive black skyscraper in 2001 next to the United Nations. It has 72 floors and 376 luxury apartments. Residents have included Derek Jeter, Bill Gates, and Sophia Loren. He sold the 45th floor to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for $4.5 million.

6. Trump International Hotel And Tower

A 52-story building at the corner of Central Park. A luxury hotel with retail space and Michelin-rated restaurants.

7. 40 Wall St.

A 72-story skyscraper with its well-recognized turquoise spire.

8. Trump International Hotel – Las Vegas

A 64-story luxury hotel, condo, and timeshare.

9. Trump International Hotel and Tower – Chicago

Located on the Chicago waterfront, this Trump property is the 4th tallest building in the United States.

10. Trump Winery

The winery, hailed as the largest on the east coast, is located in Virginia.

11. Trump National Doral And Miami Golf Resort

One of the most luxurious golf resorts in the United States, this resort offers everything one needs for a golf vacation.

12. Mar-A-Lago

A private country club, golf resort, and Donald Trump’s private residence in Palm Beach, Florida. The initial cost to join the country club is $200,000. Then $17,000 annually.

In addition to Doral and Mar-A-Lago, Trump owns 10 other golf courses in the United States, 7 of which are open to the public. He also owns 2 in Scotland, 1 in Ireland, and 1 in the United Arab Emirates.

You’re Fired! The Apprentice Years

If people weren’t familiar with Donald Trump before 2004, they certainly were once the hit television show The Apprentice hit the airwaves. Trump was the judge on the reality show that had young entrepreneurs competing against each other for Trump’s favor. Trump became famous for his line – “you’re fired”, when disqualifying someone. Over the course of his tenure, Trump made a hefty $427 million dollars from hosting and producing the show.

Merchandise

When Trump began his campaign for president of the United States, he also started a line of merchandise. Over the years, he’s made over $20 million from hats, shirts, stickers, flags, mugs, and other souvenirs.

Books

Trump has authored several books over the years, including the wildly popular, The Art of the Deal. Most recently he published a coffee table book, recalling stories of his presidency. His reported income from his books is $22 million dollars.

Miscelaneous Assets

In addition to his corporate real estate holdings, Trump also has several other assets. They include:

• 5 aircraft (2 planes, 3 helicopters)
• 8 personal properties (including a mansion in New York State, 2 in Virginia, and St. Martin, West Indies)
• A social media company (started after his ban from Twitter)

Legal And Tax Problems

The former president has had his share of issues that have affected his massive wealth and caused it to fluctuate over the course of many years.

The cost of lawyers alone has cost him hundreds of millions of dollars. He also had questionable loans and tax dealings. There have also been multiple lawsuits filed against him for various reasons, some of which were settled out of court.

All of this certainly took a toll on his net worth. However, Donald Trump’s net worth still hovers well over the $2 billion mark.

Personal Life

Over the course of his life, the former president has been married 3 times. His first marriage was to former Czech model Ivana Zaknickova. The couple were married from 1977 to 1992 and had three children. Those children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric all worked in their father’s administration.

Trump’s second marriage was to American actress and television personality, Marla Maples. The couple were married from 1993 to 1999 and had one child, Tiffany. She is a criminal attorney.

In 2005, Mr. Trump married his third wife, the former Melania Knauss, who was a model born in Slovenia. Together, they have a son, Barron. Donald Trump has a total of 10 grandchildren.

You can also read:

• How Liz Cheney Achieved a Net Worth of $14 Million
• How Lauren Boebert Achieved a Net Worth of $2 MIllion
• How Hillary Clinton Achieved a Net Worth of $45 Million
• How Barack Obama Achieved a Net Worth of $40 Million
• How Joe Biden Achieved a Net Worth of $8 Million