Candidate bio: Donald Trump

-- Age: 69Born: Queens, New York CityWork: Investor, businessman, television personalityCollege: Wharton School of BusinessWebsite: donaldjtrump.com

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Trump, who makes a virtual sport out of trumpeting his success, grew up in a wealthy enclave of the Queens borough of New York. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business, Trump, 69, followed in the footsteps of his father, joined his father's real estate company, taking it over in 1972 and renaming it the Trump Organization.

He forged ahead as a property developer, with a penchant for putting his name on his properties. His real estate portfolio now criss-crosses the globe, along with hotels and golf courses, although he increasingly favors licensing deals over actual ownership of properties. He claims a net worth of more than $10 billion, although Forbes magazine estimates it at $4.1 billion.

Trump became a household name as the star of 'The Apprentice' television show. But NBC cut its ties with Trump and the 'Miss USA' and 'Miss Universe' pageants, which he partly owns, in June after Trump made comments that insulted Mexicans.

Trump has had a colorful personal life. He has been married three times, first to a model and then to an actress. He married his current wife, Melania Knauss, also a model, in 2005. He is the father of five and grandfather of seven.