Secrets of the President’s Daughter Living a ‘Normal’ Life with 3 Kids
|Ivanka Trump, the daughter of Donald and Ivana Trump, is a mother of three and a successful businesswoman. She often reflects on her disciplined upbringing and her structured 5 a.m. routine, which guides her approach to parenting.
Ivanka’s parents, Donald and Ivana, married in April 1977 and welcomed their first child, Donald Jr., that same year. Ivanka, whose name is a diminutive of her mother’s name “Ivana,” was born in 1981, followed by her younger brother Eric in 1984. The Trump siblings grew up in a household built on discipline and ambition.
Ivanka’s mother, a model from Czechoslovakia, had a strong influence on her children and emphasized structure. Ivanka shared in an interview that her mother was a disciplinarian who occasionally spanked her in public.
“I guess it was for typical stuff,” Ivanka recalled. “Once, I broke a chandelier with a beach ball and blamed it on my brother.”
Despite her structured upbringing, Ivanka admitted to having challenging moments during her teenage years. At 15, she transitioned to Choate Rosemary Hall, a prestigious boarding school in Connecticut. She described it as a difficult adjustment, feeling isolated while her friends in New York were having fun. Her mother also insisted she pay her own phone bills during this time.
As a teenager, Ivanka turned to modeling, working with designers like Versace and Thierry Mugler and appearing on the cover of Seventeen magazine. While she saw modeling as an opportunity to earn money and explore new experiences, she viewed it as temporary, not a career path.
“I didn’t particularly enjoy it. The industry is as tough as real estate, and the people in it are just as ruthless,” Ivanka shared.
Ivanka’s childhood and early career were shaped by her family’s wealth and ambition. She grew up in luxury, with a lavender bedroom on the 68th floor of Trump Tower overlooking Central Park. Her family’s lifestyle included opulent homes such as a 50-room triplex in Manhattan, a 45-room estate in Connecticut, and the iconic Mar-a-Lago in Florida
Inspired by her surroundings, Ivanka aspired to build skyscrapers from a young age. After graduating from the Wharton School with a degree in economics, she briefly worked for a developer before joining the Trump Organization. Though initially hesitant, she appeared on The Apprentice, seeing it as a way to contribute to the family legacy.
In 2007, Ivanka met Jared Kushner at a business lunch arranged by mutual friends. They married in October 2009 in a grand ceremony with 500 guests. Ivanka converted to Judaism, embracing her husband’s Orthodox faith.
As a couple, Ivanka and Jared built a life centered on family and shared ambitions. They welcomed their first child, Arabella, in 2011. Their son Joseph followed in 2013, and their youngest, Theodore, was born in 2016.
Ivanka balances her demanding career with family life by waking up at 5 a.m. each day to spend time with her children before work. “I want my children to see me first every morning, so I make sure to shower and exercise before they wake up,” she explained.
Her mornings also include preparing breakfast and answering emails before transitioning to work. Her schedule, packed with meetings and international calls, often lasts until 6 p.m. Despite the hectic pace, Ivanka has crafted a routine that allows her to prioritize her family.
Since leaving her White House role in 2021, Ivanka and Jared have embraced a quieter lifestyle, focusing on their children and each other.
On their 14th wedding anniversary in 2023, Ivanka celebrated their partnership, writing, “Celebrating 14 years of love, laughter, wild rides, and endless adventures with my rock, Jared. I am so thankful for the life and family we’ve built together.”
By 2024, the couple marked 15 years of marriage, continuing to build their lives after serving as advisors during Donald Trump’s first administration.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s journey as a couple reflects their deep partnership, commitment to family, and shared ambition. From public service to raising their children, they have remained a strong and unified team through every stage of their lives.