History of Steve Witkoff in Timeline

Steven Charles Witkoff is an American lawyer and real estate investor. He is the founder and chairman of the Witkoff Group, a real estate development firm. He has also served as the United States special envoy to the Middle East since 2025.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 15, 1957: Steven Charles Witkoff Born

On March 15, 1957, Steven Charles Witkoff was born. He would later become a lawyer, real estate investor, and the United States special envoy to the Middle East.

Others born on this day/year

1980: Earned B.A. in Political Science

In 1980, Steven Witkoff earned a B.A. in political science from Hofstra University.

1983: Graduated with J.D. from Hofstra Law School

In 1983, Steven Witkoff graduated with a J.D. from Hofstra Law School.

1983: Worked at Dreyer & Traub Law Firm

In 1983, after graduating from law school, Steven Witkoff worked for the New York City real estate law firm Dreyer & Traub, where he became friends with Donald Trump.

1985: Co-founded Stellar Management

In 1985, Steven Witkoff co-founded Stellar Management with Larry Gluck, switching from law to real estate ownership and management.

1986: Practiced at Rosenman & Colin Law Firm

Through 1986, Steven Witkoff practiced real estate law at the New York City law firm Rosenman & Colin.

1987: Married Lauren Jill Rappoport

In 1987, Steven Witkoff married Lauren Jill Rappoport.

1995: Expanded into Lower Manhattan

In 1995, Steven Witkoff expanded his real estate ventures into lower Manhattan, buying several inexpensive office buildings.

1996: Secured Financing for 33 Maiden Lane Purchase

In 1996, Steven Witkoff secured financing from Credit Suisse First Boston for the purchase of 33 Maiden Lane.

1997: Founded Witkoff Group

In 1997, Steven Witkoff left Stellar Management and founded the Witkoff Group, expanding into residential construction and land rehabilitation.

October 1998: IPO Canceled and Partnership Dissolved

In October 1998, Steven Witkoff's planned $2 billion IPO was canceled, and he and Larry Gluck dissolved their partnership.

2011: Son Andrew Died of Overdose

In 2011, Steven Witkoff's 22-year-old son Andrew died of an OxyContin overdose.

2011: Death of son Andrew

In 2011, Witkoff's son, Andrew, died from an opioid overdose, prompting Witkoff to become an advocate for addiction awareness and recovery efforts.

2013: Purchased Park Lane Hotel and Land in Tribeca

In 2013, Steven Witkoff and Harry Macklowe purchased the Park Lane Hotel, and Witkoff and Fisher Brothers purchased land in Tribeca.

2014: Russia Occupied Crimea

In 2014, Russia occupied and annexed Crimea.

2015: Board of Trustees of Hofstra University

In 2015, Steve Witkoff joined the board of trustees of Hofstra University.

2019: Witkoff Group Owned Properties Internationally

As of 2019, the Witkoff Group owned about 50 properties in the United States and internationally.

March 2020: Construction Stopped on Fontainebleau Las Vegas

In March 2020, construction stopped on the Fontainebleau Las Vegas project, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada.

April 2020: Member of Great American Economic Revival Industry Group

In April 2020, Steven Witkoff was a member of the Great American Economic Revival Industry Group, created by Donald Trump to combat the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

February 2021: Koch Real Estate Investments Purchased Fontainebleau Property

In February 2021, Koch Real Estate Investments purchased the Fontainebleau Las Vegas property from the Witkoff Group.

2022: Russia Occupied Additional Ukrainian Provinces

During its 2022 invasion, Russia occupied and annexed four more Ukrainian provinces.

December 2023: Fontainebleau Las Vegas Hotel Opened

In December 2023, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel opened under its original name after Koch Real Estate Investments purchased the property.

July 2024: Gave Speech at Republican National Convention

In July 2024, Steven Witkoff gave a speech on night four of the Republican National Convention.

September 15, 2024: Attempted Assassination of Trump While Playing Golf with Witkoff

On September 15, 2024, while Steven Witkoff was playing golf with Donald Trump at Trump International Golf Club, Ryan Wesley Routh attempted to assassinate Trump.

November 9, 2024: Chosen as Co-Chair of Presidential Inaugural Committee

On November 9, 2024, Steven Witkoff was chosen to be co-chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee for Donald Trump's upcoming second presidency.

November 12, 2024: Selected as Special Envoy to the Middle East

On November 12, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he had selected Steven Witkoff to be his Special Envoy to the Middle East, despite Witkoff having no prior diplomatic experience.

November 2024: Reported as Smart and Talented Negotiator

In November 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that Steve Witkoff's peers in the real estate world described him as smart, personable, and a talented negotiator.

2024: Addiction awareness speech at Republican National Convention

In 2024, Witkoff addressed addiction awareness and recovery efforts in his speech at the Republican National Convention, following the death of his son in 2011.

January 2025: Negotiated Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas

In January 2025, Steven Witkoff participated in negotiations that led to a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas.

January 2025: Played Key Role in Negotiating Ceasefire

In January 2025, Steven Witkoff played a key role in negotiating a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas, contributing to a six-week ceasefire agreement.

January 2025: Proposed New Plan for Captives' Release

In January 2025, instead of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, Israel proposed a new plan called the "Witkoff plan", where Hamas would release the Israeli captives in exchange for an extension of the ceasefire. Hamas rejected this new proposal.

January 29, 2025: Oversees Ceasefire in Gaza

On January 29, 2025, Steven Witkoff arrived in Israel and made a rare entry by an American official into Gaza to personally oversee the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

February 11, 2025: Negotiated Prisoner Swap in Moscow

On February 11, 2025, Steven Witkoff was sent to Moscow by President Trump, where he met with President Putin and was responsible for the negotiations that led to a prisoner swap and the release of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel.

March 2, 2025: Israeli Government Stops Entry of Goods into Gaza

On March 2, 2025, the Israeli government stopped the entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip, acting upon a proposal Witkoff had originally presented.

March 3, 2025: Existence of "Witkoff-plan" Unconfirmed

As of March 3, 2025, the existence of a "Witkoff-plan" regarding the Israeli retreat from positions in Gaza had not been confirmed by Washington.

March 2025: De Facto Envoy to Vladimir Putin

By March 2025, Steven Witkoff had become the main channel of communication between the Trump administration and the Russian presidency, acting as a de facto envoy to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

March 2025: Expressed Concern Over Destabilization of Middle Eastern Countries

In March 2025, Steven Witkoff expressed concern that Israel's war in Gaza could destabilize Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, highlighting Egypt's high youth unemployment rate and financial struggles.

March 2025: Suggested Netanyahu Prioritizing Destruction of Hamas Over Hostage Release

In March 2025, Steven Witkoff said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, by renewing attacks on Gaza, was prioritizing the destruction of Hamas over the release of Israeli hostages.

March 2025: Suggested Changes in Syria's Leader

In March 2025, Steven Witkoff suggested that Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa may have changed since his association with Al-Qaeda.

March 21, 2025: Podcast Interview with Tucker Carlson

On March 21, 2025, Steven Witkoff, in a podcast interview with Tucker Carlson, discussed issues in negotiations regarding the regions of Donbas, Crimea, and Lugansk.

March 23, 2025: Blamed Hamas for Renewed Fighting in Gaza

On March 23, 2025, Steven Witkoff blamed Hamas for renewed fighting in Gaza, stating that Hamas had the opportunity to demilitarize and accept a bridging proposal.

April 12, 2025: Led High-Level Meetings with Iran

On April 12, 2025, Steven Witkoff led the first round of high-level meetings in Oman with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding nuclear talks.

April 2025: Met with Israeli Officials in Paris

In April 2025, Steven Witkoff had an unannounced meeting in Paris with two Israeli officials ahead of the US-led nuclear talks with Iran, representing the Trump administration's push for a diplomatic resolution.