History of Steve Witkoff in Timeline
Steven Charles Witkoff is an American billionaire real estate investor, lawyer, and diplomat currently serving as the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East. He is the founder and chairman of the Witkoff Group. Witkoff started as a real estate attorney before moving into property investment and development. His portfolio includes significant properties such as the Daily News Building, Woolworth Building, 33 Maiden Lane, and the Park Lane Hotel in Manhattan. He also maintains substantial business connections in the Middle East.
March 15, 1957: Steven Witkoff Born
On March 15, 1957, Steven Charles Witkoff was born. He later became a billionaire real estate investor, lawyer, and diplomat.
1980: Earned B.A. from Hofstra University
In 1980, Witkoff earned a B.A. from Hofstra University.
1983: Graduated from Hofstra Law School
In 1983, Witkoff graduated with a J.D. from Hofstra Law School.
1983: Worked at Dreyer & Traub, Befriended Donald Trump
In 1983, after graduating from law school, Witkoff worked for Dreyer & Traub, where he met and befriended Donald Trump.
1985: Co-founded Stellar Management
In 1985, Witkoff co-founded Stellar Management with Larry Gluck, transitioning from law to real estate ownership and management.
1986: Practiced Law at Rosenman & Colin
Through 1986, Witkoff practiced real estate law at the New York City law firm Rosenman & Colin.
1987: Married Lauren Jill Rappoport
In 1987, Witkoff married Lauren Jill Rappoport.
1995: Expanded into Lower Manhattan
In 1995, Witkoff expanded his real estate portfolio into lower Manhattan, buying several inexpensive office buildings.
1996: Secured financing for 33 Maiden Lane
In 1996, Witkoff secured financing from Credit Suisse First Boston for the purchase of 33 Maiden Lane.
1997: Founded Witkoff Group
In 1997, Witkoff left Stellar Management and founded the Witkoff Group, expanding into residential construction and rehab.
October 1998: Canceled IPO and Dissolved Partnership
In October 1998, Witkoff's company's planned IPO was canceled and he dissolved his partnership with Gluck, with Witkoff taking the office buildings.
2011: Son Andrew Died of Overdose
In 2011, Witkoff's 22-year-old son Andrew died of an OxyContin overdose.
2014: Owned 30 Properties
As of 2014, Witkoff owned 30 properties in the United States and in London.
2015: Joined Hofstra University Board of Trustees
Since 2015, Witkoff has been on the board of trustees of Hofstra University.
2019: Witkoff Group Owned Almost 50 Properties
As of 2019, the Witkoff Group owned almost 50 properties in the United States and internationally.
April 2020: Member of Great American Economic Revival Industry Group
In April 2020, Witkoff was a member of the Great American Economic Revival Industry Group during the first presidency of Donald Trump.
2020: Member of Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups
In 2020, during Donald Trump's first presidency, Witkoff became a member of the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups 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 purchased the Fontainebleau Las Vegas property.
December 2023: Fontainebleau Las Vegas Opened
In December 2023, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened, having been developed at a cost of $3.7 billion.
July 2024: Spoke at Republican National Convention
In July 2024, Witkoff gave a speech on night four of the Republican National Convention.
September 15, 2024: Assassination Attempt on Trump While Playing Golf with Witkoff
On September 15, 2024, while Witkoff was playing golf with Trump, an assassination attempt occurred at Trump International Golf Club.
November 9, 2024: Chosen as Co-Chair of Presidential Inaugural Committee
On November 9, 2024, Witkoff was chosen as co-chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee for 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 Witkoff to be his Special Envoy to the Middle East.
November 2024: Appointed as United States Special Envoy to the Middle East
In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced his appointment of Witkoff as the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East.
November 2024: Reported as a Talented Negotiator
In November 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that peers in the real-estate world invariably describe Witkoff as smart, personable and a talented negotiator with a common touch.
February 11, 2025: Met with Putin, Negotiated Prisoner Swap
On February 11, 2025, Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow and negotiated a prisoner swap, securing the release of Marc Fogel in exchange for Alexander Vinnik.
February 16, 2025: Rejected Concerns About Ukraine Peace Negotiations
On February 16, 2025, Witkoff rejected concerns about the exclusion of Ukraine and Europe from future peace negotiations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
February 18, 2025: Participated in Peace Negotiations in Riyadh
On February 18, 2025, Witkoff accompanied Marco Rubio to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for peace negotiations on the war in Ukraine, involving American and Russian delegations.
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, based on a proposal purportedly presented by Steve Witkoff.
March 3, 2025: Existence of "Witkoff-plan" Not Confirmed
On March 3, 2025, the existence of a "Witkoff-plan" regarding the Gaza ceasefire had not been confirmed by Washington.
