History of Charles Kushner in Timeline

Charles Kushner is an American real estate developer who founded Kushner Companies in 1985. He is a convicted felon and disbarred attorney. Since 2025, he has served as the United States ambassador to France and Monaco.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1949: Kushner Family Immigrated to America

In 1949, Charles Kushner's parents, Joseph Berkowitz and Rae Kushner, Jewish Holocaust survivors, immigrated to America from the USSR.

May 16, 1954: Charles Kushner's birth

On May 16, 1954, Charles Kushner was born. He later became an American real-estate developer, diplomat, and disbarred attorney.

Others born on this day/year

1961: Vienna Convention Mentioned

In August 2025, The French foreign ministry cited the 1961 Vienna Convention’s ban on ambassadorial interference in internal affairs, rejecting Charles Kushner's allegations as "unacceptable".

1979: Graduation from Law School

In 1979, Charles Kushner graduated from the Hofstra University School of Law.

1985: Started managing father's portfolio

In 1985, Charles Kushner began managing his father's portfolio of 4,000 New Jersey apartments.

1985: Founded Kushner Companies

In 1985, Charles Kushner founded Kushner Companies.

1998: Donated to Harvard University

In 1998, Charles Kushner donated $2.5 million to Harvard University after meeting with the university's president.

1999: Awarded Entrepreneur of the Year

In 1999, Charles Kushner won the Ernst & Young New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year award.

1999: Son admitted to Harvard

In 1999, Charles Kushner's son, Jared, was admitted to the Harvard freshman class.

June 30, 2004: Fined by Federal Election Commission

On June 30, 2004, Charles Kushner was fined $508,900 by the Federal Election Commission for illegal campaign contributions.

2005: Plea agreement for illegal activities

In 2005, Charles Kushner reached a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering.

2005: Conviction for Illegal Activities

In 2005, Charles Kushner was convicted of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering, leading to a two-year prison sentence and disbarment in three states.

August 25, 2006: Released from prison

On August 25, 2006, Charles Kushner was released from prison after serving time at Federal Prison Camp, Montgomery, and a halfway house in Newark, New Jersey.

2007: Purchased 666 Fifth Avenue building

In early 2007, Kushner Companies bought the 666 Fifth Avenue building in Manhattan for $1.8 billion.

August 2015: Donation to Trump's PAC

In August 2015, Charles Kushner donated $100,000 to Donald Trump's Make America Great Again PAC, supporting Trump's 2016 campaign for the presidency.

2016: Estimated Net Worth

As of the end of 2016, Charles Kushner and his family were estimated to have a net worth of $1.8 billion.

2016: Democratic Party Donor

Before 2016, Charles Kushner was a donor to the Democratic Party.

2016: Hosted reception for Trump

In 2016, Charles Kushner and his wife hosted a reception for Donald Trump at their Jersey Shore seaside mansion in Long Branch.

August 2018: Brookfield Properties Leased 666 Fifth Avenue

In August 2018, Brookfield Properties signed a 99-year lease for the 666 Fifth Avenue property, paying $1.286 billion and effectively taking full ownership of the building.

December 23, 2020: Presidential Pardon

On December 23, 2020, Charles Kushner received a pardon from President Trump, his son's father-in-law.

2023: Donation to Trump super PAC

In 2023, Charles Kushner was one of the largest donors to a Trump super PAC, donating $1 million.

November 30, 2024: Nominated as ambassador

On November 30, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Charles Kushner to serve as the United States ambassador to France and Monaco.

February 12, 2025: Nomination sent to the Senate

On February 12, 2025, Charles Kushner's nomination for United States ambassador to France and Monaco was sent to the Senate.

May 19, 2025: Confirmed as Ambassador to France

On May 19, 2025, Charles Kushner was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as United States ambassador to France during President Trump's second administration.

July 11, 2025: Sworn in as Ambassador

On July 11, 2025, Charles Kushner was sworn in as the United States ambassador to France and Monaco.

August 2025: France summoned Kushner

In August 2025, France summoned Charles Kushner after he published an open letter to President Macron in The Wall Street Journal alleging insufficient action against rising antisemitic violence.

October 27, 2025: Presented credentials to Prince of Monaco

On October 27, 2025, Charles Kushner presented his credentials to Albert II, Prince of Monaco.

2025: Appointed as ambassador to France and Monaco

In 2025, Charles Kushner began serving as the United States ambassador to France and Monaco.

February 2026: Restricted Access to French Government

In February 2026, French authorities restricted Charles Kushner’s direct access to government ministers after he failed to attend a summons from Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.