Wife Melania, daughter Ivanka, sons Donald Jr. and Eric, along with close friends and industry colleagues also offer new interviews revealing the inside story of Americas most famous business mogul Few can lay claim to living the American Dream in as big a way as billionaire Donald Trump. From mega real estate developer to star of one of the most popular reality shows on US television, "The Apprentice," Trump has managed to reinvent himself for over 30 years. Trump opens up in an intimate interview about his life and his family, his dreams and successes, and the adversity hes faced along the way.After learning the business from his father, Trump became a major player in the New York real estate market before turning thirty, eventually developing such properties as Trump Tower and Trump Casino and Resorts. Rapid expansion led to mounting debt, and the early nineties were marked by financial struggles, and Trumps much-publicised divorce from first wife, Ivana, and second marriage to actress Marla Maples. Nevertheless, Trump marketed his image and became an unlikely celebrity. He bounced back financially and turned his top notch business sense to the small screen with the hugely successful reality show "The Apprentice." He then married third wife, model Melania Knauss, 24 years his junior. Trumps "take no prisoners" attitude has kept him in the headlines, most notably for his feuds with Martha Stewart, Rosie ODonnell, and a recent scandal involving former Miss USA Tara Conner. Despite a life of personal and financial challenges, Trump remains one of Americas wealthiest men. And while flashy buildings and a hit television show are nice, family always comes first for "The Donald."
What his friends say about the business icon:
George Ross, Executive VP and Senior Counsel, The Trump Organization, on Trump - "He could convince people that he would do something that nobody else would do. And if somebody said it cant be done, he said it can be done." Ivanka Trump, daughter, on Trumps feud with Rosie ODonnell - "People seem to forget how my father will respond when he is attacked. If someone comes after him, he will go after them."Donald Trump - "A lot of people have asked me what made "The Apprentice" so successful and obviously it was me."
Donald Trump, on his relationship with Ivana - "It's always hard to be in business with a wife and Ivana was terrific. But it's always very hard when you come home at night and youre with the same person that youre dealing with sometimes during the day, and it really does create a strain on a relationship."
Jay Goldberg, Trumps lawyer, on his divorce from Ivana - "It probably had more publicity than the Third World War would have. Its incredible that in the divorce between these people that it attracted the attention that it did."
Howard Lorber, friend, on Trumps financial struggles - "There were a lot of people that went bankrupt and, you know, lost everything in those days. I don't think anyone made a comeback like Donald did, probably one of the greatest comebacks ever in the history of real estate and maybe business."
Melania Trump, wife, on meeting Trump - "We met, he asked me for the number. Actually I didn't give him my number. I said he could give me his number and I would call him. So ... if he would give me a business number I guess it would be a different story, but he gave me all of them."
Diane Brady, Senior Writer, "Business Week," on Trump - "Every time Donald Trump speaks, he gets about one point five million dollars. That's a lot of money for a sixty minute speech. He can do it back to back and fill an arena. People love to hear what Donald Trump has to say. One reason is he's a celebrity. The other reason is he's rich, and he likes to tell people he's rich."
Donald Trump, on his family - "I have 5 really wonderful children, and theres nothing like being a father."
Tara Conner, former Miss USA - "Mr. Trump called me and he was like, "Whats goin on, Tara? Im hearing that youre partying with all these boys. And youre doing drugs, and youre drinkin? Its not really appropriate behavior. And I was scared to death of him."
Donald Trump Jr., son - "My grandfather had a saying which is, To retire is to expire. Its about as blunt as it can possibly be and he really believes that, hes not gonna ever, hell never step down. Hes gonna do this forever again, because for him to not be in this position is agony."
Regis Philbin, friend, on Trump - "Nothing can hurt him. You cant get the Trumpster down, hes a force. And he just keeps going straight ahead."
Premiering Sunday, 6th April at 8pm only on E! Entertainment Television
Tagged in Donald Trump