Steve Witkoff

Steven Charles Witkoff (born March 15, 1957) is an American real estate developer and investor who founded the Witkoff Group in 1997, specializing in acquiring and managing high-profile properties in New York City. A longtime associate of Donald Trump, Witkoff transitioned to diplomacy in 2025 as the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, focusing on conflict resolution in Gaza and broader regional negotiations.

Witkoff began his career as a real estate attorney after graduating from Hofstra University, later co-founding property investment firms before establishing his own company, which grew through strategic acquisitions of distressed assets during economic downturns. His business approach emphasized value-add renovations and partnerships, amassing a portfolio that includes landmark buildings and international ventures. In his diplomatic role, Witkoff facilitated direct talks leading to an Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage releases, while also engaging in Ukraine-Russia peace initiatives, including meetings with foreign leaders.

Steven Witkoff was born on March 15, 1957, in the Bronx borough of New York City to Jewish parents Martin and Lois Witkoff. His father, Martin, operated a women's clothing manufacturing business, specifically producing coats, which provided a modest family foundation emphasizing entrepreneurial risk and diligence. Lois worked as an interior designer, contributing to a household environment that valued creativity alongside business acumen.

Witkoff was one of four siblings raised primarily on Long Island, New York, after the family's early years in the Bronx, in communities such as Baldwin Harbor and Old Westbury. The family's circumstances reflected working-class aspirations, with Martin's decision to launch his own venture at age 29 without financial backing instilling in Witkoff a core ethic of hard work and resilience from a young age. This upbringing in a Jewish household on Long Island exposed him to values of perseverance and self-reliance, shaping his later transition from legal practice to real estate amid New York's competitive landscape.