History of Steve Witkoff in Timeline

Steven Charles Witkoff is an American real estate investor and lawyer. He is the founder and chairman of the Witkoff Group. He also serves as the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East since 2025.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 15, 1957: Steven Witkoff Born

On March 15, 1957, Steven Charles Witkoff was born. He is an American real estate investor and lawyer and the founder and chairman of the Witkoff Group.

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 after transferring from Union College.

1983: Graduated from Hofstra Law School

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

1983: Worked at Dreyer & Traub

In 1983, after graduating from law school, Steven Witkoff began working for the New York City real estate law firm Dreyer & Traub, where he met and befriended Donald Trump.

1985: Co-founded Stellar Management

In 1985, Steven Witkoff co-founded Stellar Management with Larry Gluck, transitioning from law to real estate ownership and management, purchasing inexpensive apartment buildings.

1986: Practiced Law at Rosenman & Colin

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, who was then an associate at the Manhattan law firm of Botein, Hays & Sklar.

1995: Expanded into Lower Manhattan

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

1996: Secured Financing for 33 Maiden Lane

In 1996, Steven Witkoff secured financing from Credit Suisse First Boston for the purchase of 33 Maiden Lane, a 27-story tower, and subsequently leased the top floors to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

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: Witkoff Group Operated 11 Million Square Feet

By October 1998, The Witkoff Group operated 11 million square feet of commercial and retail real estate.

2011: Death of Son Andrew

In 2011, Steven Witkoff's son, Andrew, passed away from an opioid overdose.

2011: Son's Death

In 2011, Witkoff's 22-year-old son, Andrew, died of an OxyContin overdose at a sober living facility in California.

2013: Purchased Park Lane Hotel

In 2013, Steven Witkoff and Harry Macklowe purchased the Park Lane Hotel on Central Park South in Manhattan for $660 million.

2014: Russia Annexed 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.

2018: Opposition to Sanctions Against Russia

In 2018, Steven Witkoff opposed sanctions against Russia for its occupation of Crimea.

2019: Witkoff Group Owned 50 Properties

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

2019: Relocated to Florida

In 2019, Steven Witkoff relocated from New York City to Florida, settling in Miami Beach.

March 2020: Construction Stopped on The Drew

In March 2020, construction was halted on The Drew (Fontainebleau Las Vegas) due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada.

April 2020: Member of Great American Economic Revival Industry Group

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

2020: Member of Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups

In 2020, during Donald Trump's presidency, Steven Witkoff became a member of the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, formed to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

February 2021: Koch Real Estate Investments Purchased the Property

In February 2021, Koch Real Estate Investments acquired the Fontainebleau Las Vegas property.

2022: Russia Occupied and Annexed Four More 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, originally named The Drew, opened after Koch Real Estate Investments purchased the property. The name was reinstated.

July 2024: Speech at Republican National Convention

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

September 15, 2024: Assassination Attempt on Trump

On September 15, 2024, while Steven Witkoff was playing golf with Donald Trump, Ryan Wesley Routh attempted to assassinate Trump, but was apprehended by the Secret Service.

November 9, 2024: Co-chair of Presidential Inaugural Committee

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

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

On November 12, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced that Steven Witkoff had been selected to be his Special Envoy to the Middle East, despite Witkoff's lack of diplomatic experience.

November 2024: Nominated as Special Envoy to the Middle East

In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Steven Witkoff as the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East, despite Witkoff having no prior diplomatic experience.

November 2024: Recognition in The Wall Street Journal

In November 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that Steven Witkoff was described by his peers in the real estate world as smart, personable, and a talented negotiator with a common touch.

2024: Criticism of Biden Administration and Praise for Qatar

In 2024, Steven Witkoff criticized the Biden administration's decision to halt bomb shipments to Israel, but also praised Qatar's efforts to negotiate an end to the Gaza conflict and said Hamas members are "not as ideologically extreme as they are portrayed".

2024: Advocacy Speech at Republican National Convention

In 2024, Witkoff gave a speech at the Republican National Convention advocating for addiction awareness and recovery efforts following the death of his son, Andrew.

January 2025: 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, working alongside Brett McGurk and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

January 2025: Negotiations Leading to Ceasefire and Hostage Exchange

In January 2025, prior to formally taking office, Steven Witkoff participated in negotiations that resulted in a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas.

January 2025: Terms Agreed in January 2025

In January 2025, terms were agreed upon. Israel proposed a new plan (called the "Witkoff plan" after Steve Witkoff), in which Hamas would release the Israeli captives in exchange for a 50-day extension of the ceasefire, with Israel retaining the option of returning to war. Hamas rejected this new proposal, which differed from the terms agreed in January 2025.

January 29, 2025: Visit to Gaza

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

February 11, 2025: Meeting with President Putin in Moscow

On February 11, 2025, Steven Witkoff was sent to Moscow by Donald Trump, where he met with President Vladimir Putin and negotiated a prisoner swap that led to the release of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel in exchange for Russian citizen Alexander Vinnik.

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

On March 2, 2025, the Israeli government stopped the entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip, claiming it was based on a proposal originally presented by Steven Witkoff.

March 3, 2025: Lack of Confirmation of "Witkoff-plan"

As of March 3, 2025, the existence of a "Witkoff-plan" had not been confirmed by Washington.

March 2025: Main Channel of Communication with Russia

By March 2025, Steven Witkoff had become the main channel of communication between the Trump administration and the Russian presidency.

March 2025: Concern Over Destabilization of Middle Eastern Countries

In March 2025, Steven Witkoff expressed concerns that Israel's war in Gaza could destabilize Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, citing youth unemployment and economic issues in Egypt.

March 2025: Comments on Netanyahu's Priorities

In March 2025, Steven Witkoff stated 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: Thoughts on 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 discussed negotiations with Tucker Carlson on a podcast, mentioning the "so-called four regions: Donbas, Crimea, Lugansk...and there's two others" and controversial referendums held by Russia.

March 23, 2025: Witkoff Blamed Hamas for Renewed Fighting

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

April 2025: Meeting 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 diplomatic resolution.