Personal Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Kushner |
| Birth Name | Chanan Kushner |
| Date of Birth | May 16, 1954 |
| Age | 69 years |
| Birthplace | Elizabeth, New Jersey |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Education | Hofstra University School of Law (1979) |
| Net Worth | $1.8 billion (2016 estimate) |
Family Information
| Relation | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Joseph Berkowitz (later Kushner) |
| Mother | Rae Kushner |
| Siblings | Murray Kushner (brother), Esther Schulder (sister) |
| Children | Jared, Joshua, Nicole, and Dara Kushner |
Early Life and Background
Born on May 16, 1954, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Charles Kushner was named Chanan at birth, after a maternal uncle who perished in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. His parents, Joseph and Rae Kushner, were Jewish Holocaust survivors who emigrated from the USSR to America in 1949, originally from eastern Poland.
Growing up in Elizabeth, Charles witnessed his father’s journey from construction worker to successful real estate investor. This early exposure to real estate development would later shape his career path and business ventures.
Education and Early Career
Kushner completed his law degree from Hofstra University School of Law in 1979. His entry into real estate began in 1985 when he started managing his father’s portfolio of 4,000 New Jersey apartments. This experience led him to establish Kushner Companies, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Business Success
Kushner Companies
Under Charles’s leadership, Kushner Companies experienced significant growth:
- Expanded to over 10,000 residential apartments
- Developed a successful homebuilding business
- Acquired commercial and industrial properties
- Established a community bank
- Won Ernst & Young New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year award (1999)
Legal Troubles and Conviction
Campaign Finance Violations
In 2004, Kushner was fined $508,900 by the Federal Election Commission for making illegal campaign contributions to Democratic political campaigns through his partnerships.
Criminal Charges
In 2005, Kushner pleaded guilty to 18 counts of:
- Illegal campaign contributions
- Tax evasion
- Witness tampering
The witness tampering charge stemmed from a particularly notorious incident where Kushner:
- Hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law
- Arranged to record their sexual encounter
- Sent the tape to his sister Esther
Imprisonment
- Sentenced to two years in federal prison
- Served 14 months at Federal Prison Camp, Montgomery
- Completed sentence at Newark halfway house
- Released on August 25, 2006
- Disbarred in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
Post-Prison Business Activities
After his release, Kushner shifted his focus to New York City real estate:
- Purchased 666 Fifth Avenue in 2007 for $1.8 billion
- Leased the building to Brookfield Properties in 2018 for $1.286 billion
- Continued expanding real estate portfolio
- Maintained business relationships with former inmates
Family Business Legacy
Relationship with Children
- Son Jared became Senior Advisor to President Trump
- Son Joshua founded Thrive Capital
- Daughters Nicole and Dara involved in family business
- Maintained strong family connections despite controversies
Recent Developments
Presidential Pardon
- Received full pardon from President Donald Trump on December 23, 2020
- Continued business expansion post-pardon
- Maintained close ties with Trump administration
Current Business Activities
- Manages extensive real estate portfolio
- Focuses on property development and management
- Continues philanthropic activities
- Maintains significant political connections
Impact and Legacy
Business Innovation
- Pioneered large-scale real estate development
- Transformed New Jersey real estate market
- Influenced modern property management
- Created successful business model
Controversies and Reform
- Campaign finance law violations
- Witness tampering conviction
- Legal reforms in political contributions
- Impact on family relationships
Personal Life
Family Values
- Strong emphasis on Jewish traditions
- Close family connections
- Support for children’s ventures
- Commitment to philanthropy
Business Philosophy
- Aggressive expansion strategy
- Political networking
- Risk-taking approach
- Family-centered business model
Charles Kushner’s life story represents a complex narrative of immigrant success, business achievement, personal failings, and eventual redemption through a presidential pardon. His influence continues through his children’s achievements and his ongoing business activities.