Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Money & Work • Real Estate

Charles Kushner

Charles Kushner is an American real-estate developer, former lawyer, and diplomat who founded Kushner Companies in 1985.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Charles Kushner is an American real-estate developer and diplomat who founded Kushner Companies. He is also known for a 2005 federal conviction, a 2020 pardon, and a 2025 appointment as U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco.

What it is

Charles Kushner built a real-estate empire starting in 1985 with Kushner Companies. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he is a former lawyer and the father of Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump.

Key details

In 2005, Kushner was convicted on federal charges including tax-related offenses and witness tampering. He received a full presidential pardon from Donald Trump in December 2020. In 2025, despite no prior diplomatic experience, he was appointed U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco.

Family connections

Kushner is married to Seryl Kushner and has four children. His son Jared Kushner is a former White House senior adviser, and his younger son Joshua Kushner is a venture capitalist.

In short

  • Founded Kushner Companies in 1985.
  • Convicted of federal crimes in 2005.
  • Received a presidential pardon in 2020.
  • Appointed U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco in 2025.

Quick questions

Who is Charles Kushner?
Charles Kushner is an American real-estate developer, former lawyer, and diplomat who founded Kushner Companies and later became U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco.
What was Charles Kushner convicted for?
He was convicted in 2005 on federal charges related to tax filings, campaign contributions, and witness tampering.
When did Charles Kushner become ambassador?
He began serving as U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco in 2025.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Kushner
    Supports: Birth date, occupation, founder of Kushner Companies, family relationships, and summary biography.
  2. U.S. Embassy in France — https://fr.usembassy.gov/ambassador-biography/
    Supports: Current ambassador role, company leadership, education, and family details.
  3. USA Today — https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/19/senate-confirms-charles-kushner-ambassador-france/83730269007/
    Supports: Ambassador confirmation, 2005 conviction, 2020 pardon, and Forbes family net-worth estimate.
  4. Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/charles-kushner-france-donald-trump-d25e8932699142f7b594e19809c70d34
    Supports: Pardon timing, conviction background, and family connection to Jared Kushner.
  5. U.S. Department of Justice — https://www.justice.gov/archive/tax/usaopress/2005/txdv05kush0304_r.htm
    Supports: 2005 sentencing and conviction-related offenses.