Charles Kushner, born on May 16, 1954, is an American real estate developer and a disbarred former attorney. He founded Kushner Companies in 1985. In 2005, he was convicted of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering after orchestrating a scheme involving a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, recording the encounter, and sending the tape to his sister. Kushner was sentenced to two years in prison, which he served at the Federal Prison Camp in Montgomery. As a convicted felon, he was disbarred in three states. The case was prosecuted by Chris Christie, who described Kushner’s actions as “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he had ever handled.
Charles Kushner Biography 2025
In December 2020, Kushner was granted a pardon by his son-in-law’s father, President Donald Trump, as part of a broader effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The pardon, however, was widely criticized as lacking moral significance. Kushner had been a major donor to Trump’s campaigns and had previously supported the Democratic Party. Kushner’s son, Jared Kushner, is married to Ivanka Trump and served as a senior advisor to former President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021. Charles Kushner has three other children, including Joshua Kushner, and is the father-in-law of supermodel Karlie Kloss. In November 2025, President-elect Trump announced his intention to nominate Charles Kushner as the U.S. ambassador to France during his second term.
Charles Kushner Biography Details
| Born |
Chanan Kushner
May 16, 1954 (age 70)
Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Seryl Stadtmauer |
| Children |
4, including Jared and Joshua |
| Parent(s) |
Joseph Berkowitz
Rae Kushner |
| Education |
New York University (BA, MBA)
Hofstra University (JD) |
| Occupation |
Co-owner of Kushner Properties |
Charles Kushner Early Life
Charles Kushner was born in 1954 to Joseph Berkowitz and Rae Kushner, Jewish Holocaust survivors from Eastern Poland who immigrated to the U.S. from the USSR in 1949. At birth, he was named Chanan after a maternal uncle who perished in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. He grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, alongside his older brother Murray Kushner and sister Esther Schulder. His father worked as a construction worker, builder, and real estate investor. Kushner graduated from the Hofstra University School of Law in 1979.
Charles Kushner Bio
| Category |
Details |
| Birthdate |
May 16, 1954 |
| Birthplace |
Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Parents |
Joseph Berkowitz and Rae Kushner |
| Ethnicity |
Jewish, descendants of Holocaust survivors |
| Education |
Hofstra University, JD |
| Early Family Influence |
Father was a construction worker and investor |
| Siblings |
Murray Kushner (brother), Esther Schulder (sister) |
Career Beginnings
| Career Milestones |
Key Events |
| Kushner Companies Founded |
1985 |
| Initial Portfolio |
4,000 apartments in New Jersey |
| Awards |
Ernst & Young New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year, 1999 |
| Business Expansion |
10,000 residential units, commercial properties |
Legal Issues and Conviction
| Legal Issue |
Details |
| Conviction Date |
2005 |
| Charges |
Illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, witness tampering |
| Witness Tampering Incident |
Hired prostitute to seduce brother-in-law |
| Prison Sentence |
2 years (14 months served) |
| Disbarred |
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania |
Pardon and Political Connections
| Pardon Information |
Facts |
| Pardon Issued By |
President Donald Trump |
| Pardon Date |
December 23, 2020 |
| Reason for Pardon |
Record of “reform” and “charity” |
| Public Perception |
Widely criticized as lacking moral weight |
| Political Contributions |
Major donor to Trump’s campaigns |
Real Estate Ventures in New York City
| Real Estate Investment |
Details |
| 666 Fifth Avenue |
Bought for $1.8 billion in 2007 |
| Sale of 666 Fifth Avenue |
Sold to Brookfield Properties in 2018 |
| Other Properties |
Focus on New York City real estate |
Philanthropic Efforts
| Philanthropy Contributions |
Points |
| Harvard University Donation |
$2.5 million |
| Jewish Community Support |
Contributions to Jewish causes and schools |
| Hospitals and Medical Centers |
$20 million to Shaare Zedek Medical Center |
| Other Donations |
Donations to United Cerebral Palsy, St. Barnabas Medical Center, etc. |
Political Donations and Influence
| Political Donations |
Details |
| Democratic Party Donations |
Prior to 2016 |
| Trump Campaign Donations |
$100,000 in 2015, $1 million in 2023 |
| Political Influence |
Fundraising and hosting events for Trump |
Family Life and Legacy
| Family Members |
Details |
| Spouse |
Seryl Stadtmauer |
| Children |
Jared Kushner, Joshua Kushner, and others |
| Son-in-law |
Jared Kushner (Ivanka Trump’s husband) |
| Father-in-law |
Former President Donald Trump |
Role in Trump Administration
| Role in Government |
Information |
| Jared Kushner’s Role |
Senior Advisor to President Trump (2017-2021) |
| Political Influence |
Strong connection with Trump’s policies |
| Trump’s Support |
Significant donations to Trump’s PACs |
Future Prospects Ambassador to France
| Ambassador Nomination |
Details |
| Nomination Date |
November 30, 2025 |
| President |
Donald Trump (second term) |
| Role |
U.S. Ambassador to France |
Real Estate Developments
| Major Real Estate Projects |
Points |
| Residential Developments |
Expanded Kushner Companies to 10,000+ units |
| Commercial Properties |
Involvement in major commercial developments |
| Community Bank |
Established a community bank under Kushner Companies |
Financial Profile
| Financial Overview |
Details |
| Net Worth (2016) |
$1.8 billion |
| Real Estate Holdings |
Extensive portfolio of residential and commercial properties |
| Investments Post-Prison |
Focus shifted to New York City real estate |
Legal and Business Challenges
| Legal Challenges |
Details |
| Campaign Contribution Case |
Illegal contributions to Democratic campaigns |
| Witness Tampering |
Hired prostitute to blackmail brother-in-law |
| Disbarment |
Disbarred in three states |
Personal and Professional Life After Conviction
| Life After Conviction |
Describe |
| Prison Release |
Released in August 2006 |
| Career Shift |
Moved business focus to New York City |
| Public Perception |
Controversial, yet influential figure |
Business Expansion and Impact
| Business Achievements |
Details |
| Kushner Companies Growth |
Expanded rapidly to 10,000+ apartments |
| Real Estate Acquisitions |
Significant property purchases in NYC |
Key Legal Cases
| Legal Case Details |
Outcome |
| Federal Election Commission Fine |
$508,900 fine in 2004 |
| Witness Tampering |
Convicted and sentenced to prison |
Relationship with Donald Trump
| Trump-Kushner Relationship |
Information |
| Political Connection |
Close relationship through donations and family ties |
| Trump Administration |
Jared Kushner served as senior advisor to Trump |
Charles Kushner Net Worth
Charles Kushner is estimated to have a net worth of $1.8 billion.
Charles Kushner Biography
Charles Kushner is an American real estate developer and founder of Kushner Companies, with a controversial background including a conviction for illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering. He was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2020. Kushner has made significant contributions to political campaigns, both Democratic and Republican, and played a role in Trump’s administration through his son Jared Kushner. He has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, particularly supporting Jewish causes. In 2025, Trump announced his intention to nominate Kushner as the U.S. Ambassador to France.
