Sister Act: The Story Behind Ivanka And Tiffany Trump's Complicated Relationship

About The Trumps

Donald Trump and his family have always garnered tabloid interest. In particular, the relationship between his two daughters has captured the attention of journalists, politicos, and citizens alike. From the outside, one might think their relationship is complicated.

Truthfully, though, Ivanka and Tiffany are just different sides of the same coin. Here's a look into their lives.  

Of Donald's five children, Tiffany is his only daughter with second wife Marla Maples. Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric were born out of his first marriage to Ivana.

Parting Ways

Barron, his youngest, is his only child with Melania.

Tiffany was born two months before Marla and Donald married in 1993. The pair divorced in June 1999.

Going To California

“I think you always hope in a marriage that you can bring the best out in each other,” she said in an interview. “But after many years, we realized we weren't.”

Fringe Family

After her divorce was finalized, Marla took Tiffany to California. “I had the blessing of raising her pretty much on my own,” she told a New York Times reporter.

People magazine asked Ivanka if she was close with Marla today. “I'm not,” she replied.

Out Of The Spotlight

“She was out in California and really my relationship is with Tiffany.”

Tiffany stayed out of the spotlight throughout the majority of her father's presidential campaign.

No Comment

She did step front and center at the Republican National Convention, where she gave a speech.

Daddy's Girl?

In a recent article, New York Times journalist Alessandra Stanley let readers know that “Tiffany did not consent to be interviewed for this article, although she did pose for its photo shoot.”

As she grew up across the country from her father, Tiffany didn't get to enjoy some of the spoils that her siblings had access to.

Christmas Wish List

When they were younger, Ivanka intervened.

An Understanding Sister

“I went to our father and suggested he think about surprising Tiffany with a credit card for Christmas,” she wrote in her book. He took her advice and gifted Tiffany a credit card with a $500 limit.

“I imagine Tiffany didn’t get to enjoy the same surprises, just by virtue of lack of proximity,” Ivanka wrote.

Spring Break Trips

“All she wanted, really, was a way to enjoy some of the privileges her friends got to enjoy.”

Cross-Country Flights

Tiffany mostly saw her father on spring break at Mar-a-Lago as she grew up, although he did visit her from time to time.

UPenn Legacy

“Whenever Tiffany got an award, he would fly to California to see her get it,” said Janice Kiker, a close family friend who lives in Georgia.

Donald did attend Tiffany's 2016 commencement ceremony at the University of Pennsylvania, also his alma mater.

...A Lesser Extent?

She double majored in sociology and urban studies.

The Don does make the occasional odd statement, though. “I’m very proud of my children…” he said in 2016.

Sisterly Advice

“I’m very proud because Don and Eric and Ivanka and—you know, to a lesser extent because she just got out of school, out of college, but, uh, Tiffany, who has also been so terrific,” he said.  

Reality Check

Ivanka gives her younger sister advice about everything from politics to relationships—“all the things she picked up from being famous,” said a close friend.

Meanwhile, it seems that The Don has the capacity for self-awareness. “Statistically, my children have a very bad shot,” Donald said in a 1990 interview with Playboy.

Tight Knit

“Children of successful people are generally very, very troubled, not successful.”

Tiffany is pictured here with Ivanka and Marla while skiing in Colorado. “We were always together,” Tiffany said about her mom.

Career Goals

“She gave me the chance to have a normal childhood.”

Ivanka helped Tiffany earn an internship at fashion powerhouse Vogue in the summer of 2011.

Stepping Out

Tiffany has also walked the runway in a New York fashion show.

Tiffany did join her father's campaign trail eventually.

A Proud Father

She joined Ivanka to reach out to the women of Michigan, where the sisters led a roundtable discussion.

“Tiffany is a tremendous young woman with a big and beautiful heart,” Donald told the New York Times.

@TiffanyTrump

“She was always a great student and a very popular person no matter where she went.”

Both Feet In

Tiffany shares plenty of scenes from her life in her fun and lavish Instagram posts, detailing her travels and adventures—much like her older sister.

A Trump Lawyer?

“She’s trying to establish her own identity outside the family,” a close friend told Vanity Fair, adding that Tiffany “is jumping into this whole process with both feet.”

What's Next For Tiffany

Tiffany told People magazine that she's interested in attending law school soon. “We’ll see what I can find,” she said in the interview.

No Problems

“I’m really interested in fashion and technology and kind of just want to be at a place that’s innovative and new, where I can actually implement change and have a voice,” she added.

If there's even an ounce of bad blood between any Trump family members, they keep it out of the public eye.

As For Mom

“I’ve been close to Tiffany her whole life, and I really love her,” Ivanka said.

Marla Maples has even continued to express her love for Donald and his children to this day.

“I couldn’t be more proud of her,” she said about her daughter.