Fred Jr. Trump was the elder brother of the former U.S. President Donald Trump. His name was Frederick Crist Trump Jr. He was born on October 14, 1938, in Queens, New York City. Fred Jr. was brought up in a large and affluent family. His father’s name was Fred Trump Sr. and his mother’s name was Mary Anne MacLeod Trump. He had four siblings: Maryanne, Elizabeth, Donald, and Robert.
Quick Facts About Fred Jr. Trump
| Full Name | Frederick Crist Trump Jr. |
| Birthdate | October 14, 1938 |
| Died
Age (at death) |
26 September 1981
42 years old |
| Occupation | Airline Pilot, Maintenance Worker, briefly in Real Estate |
| Husband/Wife | Linda Clapp (m. 1962–1981)) |
| Education | Lehigh University (Bachelor of Arts) |
| Parents | Fred Trump Sr. (father), Mary Anne MacLeod Trump (mother) |
| Siblings | Robert Trump, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump, Elizabeth Trump Grau |
| Children | Frederick Crist Trump III, Mary L. Trump |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
Early Life and Schooling
Fred Jr. was the Trump family’s oldest child. As a child, he attended St. Paul’s School. Following high school, he attended Lehigh University. He studied business there and belonged to a fraternity known as Sigma Alpha Mu. It was a Jewish fraternity, although Fred Jr. was not Jewish. This came as a shock to some.
After college, he enlisted in the Air National Guard as a Second Lieutenant. Most believed that he would someday take over the family business.
His Career Ambitions
Initially, Fred Jr. was employed in the Trump family firm known as E. Trump & Son. He even became a vice president there. But Fred Jr. did not like this job. He wanted to be a pilot. Flying was his dream.
Fred Jr. quit the family business to be a commercial airline pilot. He flew for Trans World Airlines (TWA). This decision upset his father and brother, Donald, very much. They thought this was not a proper job for the Trump name. Due to this reason, Fred Jr. also had a strained relationship with his father and brother.
His Personal Life
Fred Jr. wed Linda Clapp in 1962. She was a retired flight attendant. They had two children together. Their names are Frederick Crist Trump III and Mary L. Trump. Linda quit working after marriage, as airline regulations for women were different at that time.
The family resided in Manhattan for some time. Later, they shifted to Queens.
His Struggles
Fred Jr. had a lot of issues in his life. One of the largest was his alcoholism. Drinking impacted his health and his career. During the early 1970s, he had to quit flying due to it.
Then he did maintenance work at his father’s buildings. This was a miserable period for him. His health deteriorated, and on September 26, 1981, Fred Jr. passed away due to a heart attack. He was just 42 years old. His alcoholism was a major reason for his premature death.
How He Changed the Family
Although Fred Jr. is no longer here, his tale is still significant. Donald Trump has frequently stated that his brother’s struggle with alcohol is the reason he never drinks or smokes. Donald learned a tough lesson from Fred Jr.’s life.
Fred Jr. was initially intended to head up the Trump company. But after he departed, Donald Trump was the primary beneficiary. His sister, Mary L. Trump, subsequently wrote a book about his family. She spoke about the struggles of her father and how he felt pressurized growing up.
READ ALSO: Donald Trump Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
Recalling Fred Jr.
Most people recall Fred Jr. as a very nice and friendly fellow. He was a charming man with a warm personality. Despite his life being filled with ups and downs, he left a long-lasting impression on the people he encountered.
His tale demonstrates how difficult it can be to pursue your own dreams while your family has other expectations. Fred Jr. wanted to fly, and he pursued that dream, even when others did not agree. His life reminds us that pursuing what brings us happiness can both be a courageous and challenging act.
