Early Life and Education of Howard Lutnick: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Howard Lutnick, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Howard William Lutnick is an American businessman and government official, serving as the 41st United States Secretary of Commerce since 2025.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

July 14, 1961: Howard Lutnick Born

On July 14, 1961, Howard William Lutnick was born in Long Island, New York.

Others born on this day/year

February 1978: Death of Jane Lutnick

In February 1978, during Lutnick's junior year of high school, his mother Jane died of lymphoma.

1983: Graduation from Haverford College

In 1983, Howard Lutnick graduated from Haverford College with a degree in economics.

1989: Lutnicks started giving political donations

In 1989, according to a Bloomberg News and OpenSecrets analysis, the Lutnicks started giving political donations.

1990: Cantor Begins Kidney Dialysis

In 1990, Cantor began undergoing kidney dialysis.

December 1994: Lutnick married Allison Lambert

In December 1994, Howard Lutnick married Allison Lambert.

December 1995: Cantor Hospitalized

In December 1995, Cantor was hospitalized in New York, and Lutnick moved to implement a succession plan.

1995: Epstein's Manhattan home

From 1995, Jeffrey Epstein's Manhattan home was next door to Howard Lutnick's mansion.

1995: Legal Battle with Iris Cantor

In 1995, after Cantor's declining health, Lutnick became involved in a contentious legal battle with Cantor's wife, Iris, over succession plans.

March 1996: Lutnick Files Lawsuit

In March 1996, Lutnick and CF Group Management filed a lawsuit in Delaware arguing that Cantor lacked sufficient mental capacity.

1998: Lutnick purchased a Manhattan property

In 1998, Howard Lutnick purchased a Manhattan property at 11 East 71st Street, behind the Henry Clay Frick House, from the Comet Trust.

May 2001: Lutnick had his Manhattan property renovated

By May 2001, Howard Lutnick had extensively renovated the interior of his Manhattan property at 11 East 71st Street.

September 11, 2001: September 11 Attacks

On September 11, 2001, Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 employees in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, including Howard Lutnick's brother, Gary. Lutnick's handling of the aftermath drew both praise and criticism.

July 2003: Lutnick became a board member of the Horace Mann School

From July 2003, Howard Lutnick served as a board member of the Horace Mann School.

2003: Lutnick purchased a property in Bridgehampton, New York

In 2003, Howard Lutnick purchased a 40-acre property in Bridgehampton, New York, for US$15 million.

2005: Lutnick swore to never be in the same room with Epstein again

In 2005, Howard Lutnick swore that he would never be in the same room ever again with Jeffrey Epstein due to his "disgusting" behavior at a meeting with Epstein, Lutnick, and Lutnick's wife.

2008: Appears on The Celebrity Apprentice

In 2008, Howard Lutnick appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice, hosted by Donald Trump, in a charity auction.

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2011: Lutnick and Epstein had drinks together

In 2011, Howard Lutnick and Jeffrey Epstein had drinks together on another occasion according to Epstein's schedule.

November 2012: Epstein aide reached out to Lutnick

In November 2012, a longtime Jeffrey Epstein aide reached out to Howard Lutnick to arrange a meeting while Lutnick was in Saint Thomas.

December 2012: Lutnick visited Little Saint James

In December 2012, Howard Lutnick admitted that four years after Epstein's conviction, Lutnick and his wife and children visited Little Saint James where they had lunch with Epstein.

2013: Lutnick featured in documentary Out of the Clear Blue Sky

In 2013, Howard Lutnick was prominently featured in the documentary "Out of the Clear Blue Sky", which examines the destruction and rebuilding of Cantor Fitzgerald following the September 11 attacks. The film highlights Lutnick's efforts to preserve the company after the attack.

November 2015: Epstein received invitation from Lutnick to fundraiser

In November 2015, Jeffrey Epstein received an invitation from Howard Lutnick to a fundraiser at his financial firm for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

2016: Lutnick donated to Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris

In 2016, Howard Lutnick donated to presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Senate candidate Kamala Harris, later attributing those donations to his wife.

2016: Fundraising for Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Lutnick was a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton.

2017: Lutnick and Epstein discussed construction plans

In 2017, Howard Lutnick and Jeffrey Epstein discussed plans about the construction of a building across the street from both of their homes.

September 2018: Lutnick's Net Worth

By September 2018, Lutnick was worth US$1.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

May 2019: Lutnick hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump

In May 2019, Howard Lutnick hosted a fundraiser for U.S. President and presidential candidate Donald Trump that raised more than US$5 million.

2019: Lutnick borrowed from Bank of America

In 2019, Howard Lutnick borrowed more than US$100 million from Bank of America.

2020: Fundraiser for Donald Trump

In 2020, Lutnick was a fundraiser for Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

October 2021: Lutnick diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

In October 2021, Howard Lutnick disclosed that he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and began chemotherapy shortly thereafter.

2023: Lutnick borrowed from Bank of America

In 2023, Howard Lutnick borrowed more than US$100 million from Bank of America.

June 2024: Lutnick ceased being a board member of the Horace Mann School

In June 2024, Howard Lutnick ceased serving as a board member of the Horace Mann School.

June 2024: Lutnick co-hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump in London

In June 2024, Howard Lutnick co-hosted a fundraiser for Donald Trump in London, organized by Duke Buchan.

July 2024: Lutnick Speaks at Bitcoin Conference

In July 2024, Lutnick and Donald Trump spoke at a Bitcoin conference, where Lutnick announced Cantor Fitzgerald would open a US$2 billion lending facility with Bitcoin as collateral.

August 2024: Named Co-Chair of Trump's Transition Team

In August 2024, Howard Lutnick was named co-chair of Donald Trump's presidential transition team.

September 2024: Lutnick was cancer-free

By September 2024, Howard Lutnick was cancer-free.

November 2024: Nominated for Secretary of Commerce

In November 2024, President-elect Trump nominated Howard Lutnick for Secretary of Commerce.

December 2024: Lutnick purchased Bret Baier's home in Washington, D.C.

In December 2024, Howard Lutnick purchased Bret Baier's home in Washington, D.C., for US$25 million, setting the record for the most expensive house in the city.

January 2025: Lutnick's financial disclosure form revealed his assets

Howard Lutnick's financial disclosure form, released in January 2025, revealed that he had at least US$806 million in assets and declared shares in GE Aerospace, GE Healthcare, The Walt Disney Company, Nasdaq, Inc., and the musical Kimberly Akimbo.

January 2025: Senate Committee Hearing

In January 2025, Howard Lutnick attended a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing.

February 2025: Lutnick's wife appointed a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

In February 2025, Allison Lambert, Howard Lutnick's wife, was appointed a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

October 2025: Lutnick talked about Jeffrey Epstein encounter

In an October 2025 interview, Howard Lutnick said he was neighbors with Jeffrey Epstein but swore in 2005 that he would never be in the same room with him again due to Epstein's "disgusting" behavior at a meeting with Lutnick and his wife.

2025: Lutnick still owns his Manhattan Mansion

As of 2025, Howard Lutnick still owns his Manhattan mansion.

2025: Appointed as 41st United States Secretary of Commerce

In 2025, Howard Lutnick was appointed as the 41st United States Secretary of Commerce.

2025: Lutnick funded White House East Wing demolition

In 2025, Lutnick was one of the donors who funded the White House's East Wing demolition, and planned building of a ballroom.

2025: Lutnick on vaccines and The Heritage Foundation

In 2025, after meeting with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Lutnick claimed that he was convinced that vaccines cause autism, and that the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act had allowed vaccine manufacturers to be reckless in the production process. He also said that The Heritage Foundation was "radioactive".

January 2026: Newly released Epstein files showed contact with Lutnick

In January 2026, newly released Jeffrey Epstein files showed extensive contact between Howard Lutnick and Epstein over several years.

February 10, 2026: Lutnick testified before Senate Committee on Epstein relationship

On February 10, 2026, Howard Lutnick testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, leading to bipartisan criticism and calls for his resignation.