Elizabeth Christ Trump

Elizabeth Christ Trump
Born Elizabeth Christ
(1880-10-10)October 10, 1880[1]
Kallstadt, Rheinland-Palatinate, German Empire
Died June 6, 1966(1966-06-06) (aged 85)
Manhasset, New York
Nationality German
Citizenship American
Occupation Real estate developer
Spouse(s) Frederick Trump
Children Elizabeth, Fred, and John
Parent(s) Philipp Christ, Ana Maria Anton[2]

Elizabeth Christ Trump (October 10, 1880 – June 6, 1966) was a German-American businesswoman. She founded the real estate development company Elizabeth Trump & Son with her son Fred Trump.[2] The company, now known as The Trump Organization, is currently owned and managed by her grandson, Donald Trump.

Early life

Elizabeth Trump was born in Kallstadt, Germany, the daughter of Ana Maria (Anton) and Philipp Christ. In 1901, her former neighbor, Frederick Trump returned from America and wooed her over the objections of his mother, Katerina Trump. Nonetheless, in 1902, they were wed.[2] Frederick then took Elizabeth to America and set up house in an apartment in Morrisania in the Bronx, NY where Elizabeth managed the household. In 1904, Elizabeth gave birth to her first child, also name Elizabeth. Frederick took her back to Germany where they intended to stay. Frederick could not remain in Germany, however, due to his refusal to serve in the army so the family returned to the US in 1905. Her second child Fred Trump was born and they set up house on 177th street in the Bronx. After her third child, John, was born, they moved to the nearby borough of Queens, NY where her husband began developing real estate. In 1918, however, he died of influenza leaving an estate valued at $31,359 ($492,016 in 2016 dollars).[3]

Founding Elizabeth Trump & Son

Elizabeth had a "remarkable talent"[2] for keeping the real estate business going. She had a local contractor build houses on an empty piece of property left by her husband, sold the houses, and lived off the mortgages paid by the new owners. Her vision was to have her three children continue the family business when they finished school, but her middle son Fred, wanted to start earlier. She founded the company "Elizabeth Trump & Son" to give him his start. Since he was under age, she signed all legal documents and did the real estate closings. In 1927 when Fred was 22, E. Trump & Son was formally incorporated.[4] Fred became quite successful with the business but Elizabeth remain involved throughout her life. Even in her 70s she would collect coins from the laundromats in Trump buildings.[2]

Personal life

Elizabeth was considered the matriarch of the Trump family. She had "extraordinary determination".[5] She dressed very formally, was hardworking and had a stern demeanor. She remained close to her son Fred for her entire life.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Elizabeth Christ Trump", Find a Grave
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gwenda Blair, "The Trumps: Three Generations That Built an Empire", Simon and Schuster, 2000, ISBN 0743210794, 9780743210799
  3. ↑ CPI inflation calculator
  4. ↑ "New Concerns Function with Queens Capital" (PDF). The Daily Star. April 16, 1927.
  5. ↑ Wayne Barrett, "Trump: The Deals and the Downfall", HarperCollins, 1992
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