Charles Kushner

Charles Kushner was born on May 16, 1954, to Joseph Berkowitz and Rae Kushner, who were Jewish Holocaust survivors originally from eastern Poland and who emigrated to the United States from the USSR in 1949. His birth name was Chanan, named after a maternal uncle who perished in a German concentration camp during the Holocaust. Kushner was raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, alongside his elder brother Murray Kushner and sister Esther Schulder. His father was employed as a construction worker, builder, and real estate investor.

Kushner earned his law degree from Hofstra University School of Law, graduating in 1979. In 1985, he began managing his father's portfolio which included approximately 4,000 apartments in New Jersey. That same year, he founded Kushner Companies, serving as its chairman. Under his leadership, the company expanded to own more than 10,000 residential units, along with a homebuilding division, commercial and industrial properties, and a community bank. In 1999, he received the Ernst & Young New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Kushner's legal history includes a criminal conviction in 2005 for illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering. The investigation involved retaliation against William Schulder, his sister Esther's husband, who was cooperating with federal authorities. Kushner arranged for a prostitute to seduce Schulder, recorded the encounter, and sent the tape to his sister. He pleaded guilty to 18 counts and was sentenced to two years in prison, of which he served approximately 14 months at Federal Prison Camp in Montgomery, Alabama, before being transferred to a halfway house in Newark, New Jersey. He was released on August 25, 2006. Due to his conviction, Kushner was disbarred in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

In December 2020, President Donald Trump issued a full, unconditional pardon to Kushner. Before his legal issues, Kushner was a significant donor to the Democratic Party, contributing to various campaigns and political causes. He also made substantial donations to educational institutions, including a $2.5 million contribution to Harvard University in 1998 and funding for Hebrew and Jewish schools in Livingston, New Jersey. His philanthropic efforts include donations to medical centers, educational campuses, and religious institutions, some of which have been named in honor of his family members.

Kushner shifted his business activities to New York City after his release from prison. His company made notable real estate acquisitions, including purchasing the building at 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan for $1.8 billion in 2007. This property was later leased long-term to Brookfield Properties in 2018 for $1.286 billion, effectively transferring full ownership.

He has been involved in political donations, initially supporting Democratic candidates and causes, including donations to Harvard University, Stern College, and other Jewish community organizations. Notably, in August 2015, he contributed $100,000 to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and hosted a reception for Trump at his property in Long Branch, New Jersey. In 2023, he was among the largest donors to a Trump-supporting super PAC, contributing $1 million.

Kushner's familial relationships include his elder son Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, daughter of former U.S. president Donald Trump. Jared Kushner served as a senior advisor during Trump's administration from 2017 to 2021. His younger son Joshua Kushner is a venture capitalist married to supermodel Karlie Kloss. Kushner has three other children.

In late 2024, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Kushner as the United States ambassador to France and Monaco. His nomination was formally sent to the Senate in February 2025, and he was confirmed by a Senate vote of 51–45 on May 19, 2025. Kushner was sworn into the position on July 11, 2025. In August 2025, he expressed concerns about anti-Semitism in France, which led to tensions with the French government, including diplomatic summons.