History of Steve Witkoff in Timeline

Steven Charles Witkoff is an American real estate investor, lawyer, and the founder and chairman of the Witkoff Group. He is a prominent figure in the real estate industry. Witkoff's career encompasses both legal expertise and significant involvement in real estate investment and development through his company.

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 is an American real estate investor, lawyer, and the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East.

Others born on this day/year

1980: Earned B.A. Degree

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

1983: Graduation from Hofstra Law School

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

1983: Worked for Dreyer & Traub

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, transitioning from law to real estate ownership and management.

1986: Practiced at Rosenman & Colin

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

1987: Marriage to 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, acquiring 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.

1997: Founded the Witkoff Group

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

October 1998: Planned IPO Canceled

In October 1998, Steven Witkoff's planned $2 billion IPO was canceled due to the collapse of the real estate market and he dissolved his partnership with Gluck.

2011: Death of Son Andrew

In 2011, Steven 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. Witkoff and Fisher Brothers also purchased a parcel of land in Tribeca and built the 792-foot high residential tower, 111 Murray Street.

2014: Russia annexed Crimea

In 2014, Russia occupied and annexed Crimea.

2015: Trustee for Intrepid Foundation

Since 2015, Steven Witkoff has been a trustee for the Intrepid Foundation, and on the board of trustees of Hofstra University.

2018: Opposed Sanctions Against Russia

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

2019: Witkoff Group Properties

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

2019: Relocated to Miami Beach

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

March 2020: Construction Stopped on The Drew

In March 2020, construction on the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort and casino project, named The Drew after Steven Witkoff's late son Andrew, was halted 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, Witkoff became a member of the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

February 2021: Koch Real Estate Investments purchased the property

In February 2021, Koch Real Estate Investments purchased the property for the resort and casino project. The original name was reinstated, and the hotel opened in December 2023.

2022: Russia invaded Ukraine

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

December 2023: The Fontainebleau Las Vegas Hotel Opened

In December 2023, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas Hotel opened after Koch Real Estate Investments had purchased the property.

July 2024: Spoke at Republican National Convention

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

September 15, 2024: Assassination Attempt on Trump

On September 15, 2024, while 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 as co-chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee for Donald Trump's upcoming second presidency, along with Kelly Loeffler.

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. Witkoff had no prior diplomatic experience.

November 2024: Appointment as Special Envoy to the Middle East

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

November 2024: Real Estate World Description of Witkoff

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

January 2025: Key Role in Ceasefire Negotiations

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

January 2025: Original Ceasefire Agreement

In January 2025, an agreement was reached regarding the terms for ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

January 2025: Participation in Ceasefire Negotiations

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

January 29, 2025: Entry into 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: Meeting with Putin in Moscow

On February 11, 2025, Steven Witkoff, sent by President Trump, met with President Putin in Moscow and was responsible for negotiations that led to a prisoner swap and the release of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel from a Russian prison, 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 they were acting upon a proposal Steven 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 halt of goods and supplies into Gaza had not been confirmed by Washington.

March 2025: De Facto Envoy to Vladimir Putin

By March 2025, President Trump had made Steven Witkoff his de facto envoy to Russian president Vladimir Putin, making him the main channel of communication between the Trump administration and the Russian presidency.

March 2025: Concern Over Middle East Destabilization

In March 2025, Steven Witkoff expressed concern that Israel's war in Gaza could destabilize Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

March 2025: Netanyahu Prioritizing Destruction of Hamas

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: Syria's New 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, in a podcast interview with Tucker Carlson, Steven Witkoff discussed the challenges in negotiations regarding the "so-called four regions: Donbas, Crimea, Lugansk...and there's two others".

March 23, 2025: Witkoff Blames Hamas for Renewed Fighting

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

April 2025: Meeting with Israeli Officials

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.