Charles Kushner is an American real estate developer, businessman, former attorney and diplomat. He is best known as the founder of Kushner Companies and currently serves as the United States Ambassador to France and Monaco.
Born on May 16, 1954, Kushner spent decades building a major real estate business before entering diplomatic service. He is also the father of businessman Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, and venture capitalist Joshua Kushner.
Quick Facts About Charles Kushner
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Kushner |
| Birth Name | Chanan Kushner |
| Date of Birth | May 16, 1954 |
| Age | 72 years old |
| Birthplace | Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Diplomat, real estate developer and businessman |
| Current Position | U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco |
| Business | Founder of Kushner Companies |
| Wife | Seryl Kushner |
| Children | Jared, Joshua, Nicole and Dara |
| Education | New York University and Hofstra Law School |
| Estimated Net Worth | Exact personal figure not publicly verified |
Charles Kushner Early Life and Family
Charles Kushner was born on May 16, 1954, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His parents, Joseph and Rae Kushner, were Holocaust survivors who immigrated to the United States after World War II.
His father eventually entered the construction and real estate business in New Jersey. Growing up around the family business exposed Charles to property development and investment from an early age.
The Kushner family later became one of the most prominent real estate families in New Jersey. Charles eventually expanded the business considerably and established his own reputation in the property industry.
Charles Kushner Education
Kushner pursued higher education at New York University, where he earned both a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Business Administration.
He later studied law at Hofstra Law School, earning his Juris Doctor degree in 1979. His education provided him with backgrounds in both business and law.
Kushner initially worked as an attorney. However, real estate ultimately became the main focus of his professional career.
Charles Kushner Real Estate Career
The Charles Kushner biography is closely connected with the growth of Kushner Companies. In 1985, he founded the real estate business while building on properties previously accumulated by his family.
Kushner expanded aggressively across New Jersey and other markets. The company developed and acquired thousands of apartments alongside commercial, industrial and other real estate assets.
By the early 2000s, Kushner Companies had become one of New Jersey’s major residential property owners. Its portfolio eventually expanded beyond the state and into major markets including New York City.
The Kushner family later became associated with several high-profile property transactions. One of the best-known was the purchase of an office tower at 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan for approximately $1.8 billion in 2007.
Today, Kushner Companies remains a major privately held real estate company with residential, commercial, retail, development and hospitality interests.
Charles Kushner Legal History and Presidential Pardon
Kushner’s business and public career has also included a major federal criminal case.
In 2004, he pleaded guilty to federal charges involving false tax returns, retaliation against a cooperating witness and false statements to the Federal Election Commission. He was sentenced in 2005 to 24 months in federal prison.
The case attracted extensive national attention and became one of the most controversial periods of Kushner’s career. He completed his prison sentence in 2006.
In December 2020, President Donald Trump granted Charles Kushner a full presidential pardon. The pardon came during the final weeks of Trump’s first presidential administration.
Kushner later acknowledged his past conduct during the confirmation process for his diplomatic position.
Charles Kushner and Donald Trump
Charles Kushner has significant family ties to President Donald Trump. His eldest son, Jared Kushner, married Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump in 2009.
Jared later became a senior adviser in the White House during Donald Trump’s first presidency. He worked on several major policy areas, particularly Middle East diplomacy.
Charles Kushner also became a political supporter of Trump after previously donating heavily to Democratic politicians and organisations.
Their family relationship received renewed attention when Trump nominated Kushner to one of America’s most important diplomatic positions.
U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco
President Donald Trump announced in late 2024 that he intended to nominate Charles Kushner as United States Ambassador to France.
His nomination also included serving concurrently as ambassador to the Principality of Monaco.
The United States Senate confirmed Kushner in May 2025 by a vote of 51–45. He subsequently entered diplomatic service and assumed his ambassadorial responsibilities.
As of 2026, Kushner continues to represent the United States in France and Monaco. His responsibilities include supporting diplomatic relations, economic cooperation, security partnerships and other areas of American foreign policy.
His appointment represented a major career change from private real estate development to international diplomacy.
Charles Kushner Wife and Personal Life
Charles Kushner is married to Seryl Kushner, formerly Seryl Stadtmauer. The couple has been together for decades and built their family in New Jersey.
Seryl has also been connected with the family’s business and charitable activities. However, she maintains a considerably lower public profile than her husband and several of their children.
The Kushners have also donated to educational, religious, medical and charitable organisations over the years.
Charles Kushner Children
Charles and Seryl Kushner have four children: Jared, Joshua, Nicole and Dara Kushner.
Jared Kushner became a businessman and political adviser before serving in Donald Trump’s first administration. He is married to Ivanka Trump.
Joshua Kushner is a venture capitalist and the founder of Thrive Capital. He is married to model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss.
Nicole Kushner Meyer has been involved with the family’s real estate business, while Dara Kushner has maintained a more private public profile.
Charles Kushner Net Worth and Wealth
There is no reliable publicly verified figure for Charles Kushner’s individual net worth in 2026. His wealth is closely connected with privately held family businesses and real estate assets, making an exact personal valuation difficult.
The wider Kushner family fortune has been estimated in the billions of dollars. Charles and his wife, Seryl, also hold an ownership interest in Kushner Companies, which itself controls a substantial real estate portfolio.
Some publications have previously used figures such as $1.8 billion when discussing Kushner wealth. However, these figures have often represented combined family wealth rather than Charles Kushner’s personal fortune alone.
Therefore, assigning him a precise individual net worth without stronger financial evidence would be misleading. It is more accurate to describe Kushner as a wealthy real estate developer whose family holds multibillion-dollar business interests.
Charles Kushner’s Career and Current Role
The Charles Kushner biography spans law, real estate, philanthropy, controversy and diplomacy. He transformed his family’s property holdings into a major real estate organisation and became an influential figure within the Kushner family business.
His career also includes a federal conviction, imprisonment and subsequent presidential pardon. Years later, he entered government service after receiving Senate confirmation as ambassador.
At 72 years old, Charles Kushner currently serves as the United States Ambassador to France and Monaco while remaining closely associated with one of America’s most prominent business and political families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Charles Kushner?
Charles Kushner is an American real estate developer, businessman and diplomat. He founded Kushner Companies and currently serves as the U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco.
Q2: How old is Charles Kushner?
Charles Kushner is 72 years old as of 2026. He was born on May 16, 1954, in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Q3: Who is Charles Kushner’s wife?
Charles Kushner is married to Seryl Kushner, formerly Seryl Stadtmauer. The couple has four children together and has longstanding ties to New Jersey.
Q4: How many children does Charles Kushner have?
Charles Kushner has four children: Jared, Joshua, Nicole and Dara Kushner. Jared and Joshua have become particularly prominent through politics, business and investment.
Q5: What is Charles Kushner’s net worth in 2026?
Charles Kushner’s exact personal net worth has not been reliably established. His family owns multibillion-dollar business and real estate interests, but combined Kushner family wealth should not be confused with his individual fortune.
Q6: Why was Charles Kushner imprisoned?
Kushner pleaded guilty to federal offenses involving false tax returns, retaliation against a cooperating witness and false statements to the Federal Election Commission. He received a 24-month prison sentence in 2005 and later received a presidential pardon in 2020.
Q7: Is Charles Kushner the U.S. Ambassador to France?
Yes. Charles Kushner currently serves as the United States Ambassador to France and Monaco after receiving Senate confirmation in 2025.
