Does Donald Trump Have a Living Brother? What You Should Know About the Trump Siblings

Does Donald Trump Have a Living Brother? What You Should Know About the Trump Siblings

If you’re looking at the sprawling Trump family tree and trying to figure out who is still around, it’s easy to get turned around. Between the high-profile kids and the political headlines, the older generation—Donald's own brothers and sisters—tends to stay in the shadows.

So, let's get right to it. No, Donald Trump does not have a living brother.

As of 2026, the former president is the last surviving male of his immediate siblings. He was one of five children born to Fred and Mary Anne Trump, and while the family was once a formidable unit in the New York real estate scene, time and tragedy have thinned those ranks significantly. Honestly, it’s a bit of a somber story when you look at the details.

The Loss of Robert Trump

The most recent loss was Robert Trump, Donald’s younger brother. Robert passed away on August 15, 2020. He was 71.

Robert was often described as the "quiet" Trump. While Donald was out building skyscrapers and making a name for himself in the tabloids, Robert was basically the backbone of the Trump Organization's Manhattan real estate dealings. He was a Yale graduate and lived a much more private life in Millbrook, New York.

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When Robert died, Donald actually went to visit him in the hospital in New York just a day before he passed. He later issued a statement calling Robert his "best friend." It was one of those rare moments where the public saw a more vulnerable side of the president. Robert didn't have any biological children, but he was very close to his family and was known for being far less confrontational than his older brother.

The Tragic Story of Fred Trump Jr.

Long before Robert passed, there was Fred Trump Jr., the eldest brother. If you've ever heard Donald talk about why he doesn't drink alcohol, it's because of "Freddy."

Fred Jr. died way back in 1981 at the age of 42. It was a heart attack brought on by complications from heavy alcoholism. Freddy was the one who was supposed to take over the family business. He was the firstborn son, the namesake. But he didn't want it. He wanted to be a pilot.

He actually worked for TWA for a while, but the pressure of the family expectations and his struggles with addiction eventually took their toll. Donald has admitted in several interviews that he regrets the pressure he and his father put on Freddy to join the real estate world. It’s a classic, sad story of a guy who just didn't fit the mold his father built.

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Who Is Left?

Since the question is usually about the brothers, people often overlook the sisters.

  • Elizabeth Trump Grau: She is currently the only living sibling Donald has. Elizabeth is his older sister, born in 1942. Like Robert, she stayed away from the cameras. She worked in banking for Chase Manhattan and eventually married a film producer named James Grau. She’s in her 80s now and lives a very quiet life in Florida.
  • Maryanne Trump Barry: Donald’s eldest sister, Maryanne, was a powerhouse in her own right. She was a high-level federal judge (appointed by Reagan and then elevated by Clinton). She passed away recently, in November 2023, at the age of 86.

A Quick Snapshot of the Siblings

To keep it simple, here is how the siblings shake out:

Maryanne Trump Barry (1937–2023) – Eldest sister, former federal judge.
Fred Trump Jr. (1938–1981) – Eldest brother, airline pilot.
Elizabeth Trump Grau (1942–Present) – Older sister, retired banking executive.
Donald Trump (1946–Present) – Fourth child.
Robert Trump (1948–2020) – Youngest brother, business executive.

It's kinda wild to think that out of the three boys who grew up in that big house in Jamaica Estates, Queens, only one is left.

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Why This Matters for the Family Dynamic

Understanding the loss of his brothers gives some context to how Donald Trump views his own kids. You see him leaning heavily on Donald Jr. and Eric—keeping the "loyal brother" dynamic alive within the next generation. Robert was fiercely loyal to Donald, even filing lawsuits on behalf of the family to stop "tell-all" books from being published.

With both brothers gone, that particular brand of sibling support is a thing of the past for him.

If you're researching the family for a project or just curious about the history of the Trump dynasty, the best place to find more nuanced details is through biographies like The Trumps: Three Generations of Builders and a President by Gwenda Blair. It’s probably the most thorough look at how the brothers' relationships shaped the man who eventually became president.

Actionable Takeaways

  • Check the dates: When reading old articles, remember that Robert died in 2020 and Maryanne in 2023. Many sites haven't updated their "living relatives" sections.
  • Distinguish the "Freds": People often confuse Fred Sr. (the dad), Fred Jr. (the brother who passed in 1981), and Fred III (the nephew).
  • Respect the privacy: While Donald is a public figure, his surviving sister, Elizabeth, has never sought the spotlight. Information on her is scarce for a reason.