Ivanka Trump is opening up about one of the biggest decisions of her career… walking away from a fashion and jewelry empire reportedly worth $800 million to take on a role in the White House.
In a recent emotional interview, the first daughter reflects on the sacrifices that came with the move. She also looks back on a series of deeply personal challenges over the course of her life, including the loss of her mother.
Now stepping away from politics, Trump has largely retreated from public life, focusing on her family with husband Jared Kushner and their children.
Why Ivanka Trump Shut Down Her $800 Million Fashion Empire
Trump is shedding light on the massive business she left behind when she stepped into the political spotlight during her father Donald’s first term in office.
During a recent appearance on “The Diary Of A CEO” podcast, Trump reflected on building a fashion and fine jewelry brand that quickly grew into a powerhouse, generating nearly $800 million in annual sales.
The 44-year-old recalled launching the fine jewelry line at just 26 to create pieces that felt both accessible and empowering for modern women. She also recounted starting her family around the same time.
Trump explained that women’s work outfits at the time felt so far from aspirational, and many of them were not even proud to share what they were wearing on social media.
Ivanka Stepped Away From Politics To Focus On Family
During her time as a senior advisor in her father’s first administration from 2017 to 2021, Trump was involved in multiple high-level initiatives both in the U.S. and abroad.
However, she has since distanced herself from government and declined to return to her previous role when her father was re-elected in 2024. Speaking on the “Him and Her” show ahead of his inauguration, Trump confirmed that she would not be coming back and revealed that her children played a major role in that decision.
The first daughter explained that missing important moments during her time in the White House made her rethink her path, ultimately deciding she didn’t want her children to bear the cost of her public role again.
How Ivanka Trump Is Embracing Life As A Mother
Trump claims that she is thriving in her post-politics chapter, balancing motherhood with a quieter return to business. The mom of three remains active professionally, working on real estate ventures alongside Kushner. She also co-founded Planet Harvest, a company focused on reducing food waste.
Since relocating to Miami in 2021, the couple has largely stayed out of the political spotlight. However, Trump still makes occasional appearances at high-profile events alongside figures like Kim Kardashian and Jeff Bezos.
Sources close to Trump claim she is content with her decision to step away from politics, noting that it has given her more privacy and the freedom to explore new interests, per CNN.
Ivanka Gets Emotional As She Speaks About Her Late Mother
Elsewhere in her conversation with Bartlett, Trump became visibly emotional while opening up about the loss of her late mother, Ivana.
The businesswoman was brought to tears as she reflected on the profound influence her mom had on her, describing Ivana as one of the most impactful guiding forces of her life.
“My mother taught me a lot about bringing intention to what you do,” Trump said.
Ivana died in 2022 at the age of 73 following a fall. Her daughter now describes the moment as deeply life-altering.
“Losing a parent, it hits differently,” Trump said.
Ivanka Trump Reflects On Trauma Of Rally Shooting
Trump has also opened up about the emotional toll of witnessing the attempted assassination of her father during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.
She revealed that she watched the incident unfold in real time while at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where she had been by the pool with two of her children.
“I was horrified, and I was scared,” Trump said. “I was protective of my children.”
All the same, despite the chaos of the situation, she said she held onto a sense of certainty that her father would survive the ordeal.
“I just knew it wasn’t his time,” she explained. “I feel incredibly lucky that he was protected that day.”