Ivanka Trump, daughter of former President Donald Trump and the late Ivana Trump, has carved a unique path shaped by privilege, discipline, and determination.
Now a mother of three, she blends a structured lifestyle—rooted in her upbringing—with her own modern parenting twist. Her day kicks off at 5 a.m., a testament to the values she inherited and now passes down. Let’s dive into her journey.
A Childhood of Luxury and Lessons
Born in 1981, Ivanka grew up as the middle child between Donald Jr. (1977) and Eric (1984) in a world where ambition and discipline reigned supreme.
Raised by her mother, Ivana—a former Czechoslovakian model who passed away in July 2022—Ivanka credits her cultural flair and strict parenting style to her mom.
“She was my cultural influence,” Ivanka once said, recalling Ivana’s no-nonsense approach, including public spankings when needed.
Ivanka recalls she once smashed a chandelier with a beach ball and pinned the blame on her brother. That mix of structure and mischief laid the groundwork for her future success.
“I think my mom threatened to put me up for adoption a few times,” she said in another interview.
Teenage Turbulence: Boarding School and Catwalks
At 15, Ivanka traded New York’s glitz for Choate Rosemary Hall, a top-tier boarding school in Connecticut.
“It felt like a prison compared to my friends partying in NYC,” she admitted. Her mom kept her grounded, making her pay her own phone bills to teach financial responsibility.
During this time, Ivanka dipped into modeling, strutting for Versace and Thierry Mugler and landing a Seventeen magazine cover. But she didn’t love it. “It’s as ruthless as real estate,” she later reflected, grateful yet eager to move beyond that image.
Her childhood wasn’t just about rules—it was lavish too. Picture this: a lavender bedroom on Trump Tower’s 68th floor overlooking Central Park, plus family estates like a 50-room NYC triplex, a 45-room Greenwich mansion, and Mar-a-Lago, complete with her Disney-tiled bathroom.
Building Dreams: From Wharton to the Trump Legacy
Real estate was Ivanka’s calling from day one. “I wanted to be a builder from my first cognitive thought,” she said, dreaming of New York’s skyline as a teen. After earning an economics degree summa cum laude from The Wharton School, she cut her teeth with developer Bruce Ratner before joining the Trump Organization.
Hesitant at first, she stepped into the spotlight on The Apprentice, knowing the Trump brand needed a family face to thrive. “It couldn’t just be about my father—it had to be about us,” she explained. That vision fueled her rise.
Love, Faith, and a Powerhouse Marriage
In 2007, a business lunch turned into a love story when Ivanka met Jared Kushner. Sparks flew, and two years later, they tied the knot at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey with 500 guests cheering them on. “The best deal we ever made!” Ivanka quipped about their matchmakers.
Embracing Jared’s Orthodox Jewish faith, Ivanka converted, uniting two real estate dynasties with Ivy League pedigrees and bold ambitions. Their partnership? Rock-solid and unstoppable.
Mastering Motherhood: A 5 A.M. Start to a Packed Day
Now a mom of three, Ivanka’s life revolves around routine. She’s up at 5 a.m., showering and exercising before her kids stir. “I make sure I’m the first face they see,” she says, whipping up breakfast herself.
By 6:30 or 7 a.m., she’s tackling emails and calls—often syncing with Europe or Asia—before her workday winds down around 6 p.m.
Despite the hustle, Ivanka and Jared are leaning into a quieter life post-White House (she stepped back in 2021). A friend notes, “They’re settling into normalcy and loving it.” Balance? She’s nailing it.
