Meet Donald Trump’s Parents: Fred Trump and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump

Donald John Trump, born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York City, is of German and Scottish ancestry. He was raised in the Presbyterian faith.

Donald was the son of Fred Trump, a prominent real estate developer, and Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, originally from Scotland. He grew up with four siblings: Maryanne Trump Barry, Fred Trump Jr., Elizabeth Trump Grau, and Robert Trump.

Trump’s early education began at the Kew-Forest School in Queens but later transferred to the New York Military Academy. Following high school, he attended Fordham University for two years before moving to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a degree in economics in 1968.

Known widely as the 45th President of the United States and for his bold business ventures, Donald Trump’s story is also shaped by his parents, Fred and Mary Anne, whose lives offer insight into his family background and influences.

Fred Trump

Fred Trump was born in New York City on October 11, 1905, the second of three children to German immigrants Elizabeth Christ Trump and Frederick Trump. Early on, he became involved in the family’s real estate business, initially focusing on properties in Queens and Brooklyn. Following his father’s passing in 1918, young Fred took over the modest real estate portfolio his father had begun.

Under Fred’s leadership, the family business grew substantially. He specialized in constructing affordable housing, particularly in Brooklyn and Queens, often aimed at middle-class families and veterans. This approach brought him significant wealth and influence, establishing him as a key figure in New York’s real estate scene.

Fred Trump’s business practices drew both admiration and criticism. Known for his frugality and tough negotiating style, he ran The Trump Organization with a rigorous hand. These traits, later mirrored by his son Donald, shaped Fred’s legacy—not only through the buildings he developed but also through the methods he championed, which Donald would expand upon in his own career.

Mary Anne MacLeod Trump

Mary Anne MacLeod Trump was born on May 10, 1912, in the village of Tong on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, the youngest of ten children to Malcolm MacLeod and Mary Smith (Mary MacLeod). She immigrated to America in 1930, initially planning a short stay but ultimately making New York her home.

In her early years in America, Mary Anne worked various jobs, including as a domestic servant. At a dance, she met Fred Trump, whom she married in 1936. She adapted to life in the U.S. and raised five children, including Donald, born in 1946. Though she kept her Scottish accent, she embraced her role in the active Trump household and business life.

Mary Anne was known as a strong and caring mother, passing down lessons in resilience and family values to her children. She was known for her frugality and modesty, contrasting the family’s later public image. Both she and Fred instilled a strong work ethic in their children, emphasizing the importance of business success. Donald often spoke of his father’s tough love and his mother’s nurturing but resilient nature.

Fred’s focus on middle-class housing may have influenced Donald‘s later views on economic policies, adding to his complex views on wealth and opportunity. The blend of Fred’s New York real estate empire and Mary Anne’s immigrant roots offered Donald a unique perspective on American life.

Fred and Mary Anne’s stories are about more than just wealth or business; they reflect the values and lessons they passed down. Their influence on Donald was deep, blending ambition with resilience and, perhaps, a sense of connection to one’s roots. Knowing their story provides insight into how personal history can shape public persona, helping to explain the making of one of America’s most polarizing figures.