Eric Trump and Lara Trump have been a political power couple for years, standing firmly behind Donald Trump’s campaigns while maintaining their own careers and family life. While Eric is known for his business ventures and role in the Trump Organization, Lara has carved out her place in both media and politics.
From her days as a TV producer to stepping into a leadership role within the Republican National Committee, she has remained a central figure in the Trump circle.
Beyond their public roles, Eric and Lara share a long history that started with an unexpected meeting. Their love story led to a high-profile wedding at Mar-a-Lago and a growing family. Along the way, Lara’s career path has seen many shifts—from working in television to becoming a political strategist. Here’s a closer look at who Lara Trump is, how she met Eric, and how they’ve built their life together.
Who is Eric Trump’s Wife, Lara?
Lara Lea Trump (née Yunaska) was born on October 12, 1982, in Wilmington, North Carolina. She grew up in the nearby coastal town of Wrightsville Beach, raised by her parents, Linda Ann Sykes and Robert Luke Yunaska.
She has a younger brother, Kyle Robert Yunaska, who has also been involved in politics, previously serving as chief of staff for the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy.
For her early education, Lara attended Emsley A. Laney High School. She later pursued a degree in communications at North Carolina State University, graduating cum laude. While her academic background was rooted in media and communication, she also had a passion for culinary arts. She studied at the French Culinary Institute in New York, where she honed her skills as a pastry chef.
Before stepping into politics, Lara worked in television. She was a story coordinator and producer for Inside Edition from 2012 to 2016. However, after marrying into the Trump family and with Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign gaining traction, she transitioned into a more politically active role, leaving her job in television.
Eric and Lara’s Married Life and Children
Lara and Eric Trump first met in 2008 through mutual friends. At the time, she had no idea about his background or famous last name. As she later recalled on her podcast The Right View, she was simply impressed by how tall he was.
Their relationship grew over the next few years, leading to an engagement on July 4, 2013. A little over a year later, they tied the knot on November 8, 2014, in a grand wedding ceremony at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The venue was already significant to the Trump family, as it was where Donald and Melania Trump had married in 2005.
Lara’s wedding preparations were not without obstacles. Just two weeks before the big day, she suffered a horseback riding accident that left her with two broken wrists. Despite the injury, she went ahead with the wedding, wearing specially designed bedazzled gloves to cover her casts.
The couple has since welcomed two children. Their firstborn, Eric “Luke” Trump Jr., arrived on September 12, 2017, followed by their daughter, Carolina Dorothy Trump, on August 20, 2019. Lara has spoken about the challenges of balancing her career with motherhood, describing it as empowering and fulfilling. She once expressed how she never imagined that becoming a mother would make her feel stronger and more confident in herself.
Lara Trump’s Career Journey
Lara’s professional journey has seen a major transformation over the years. Starting as a television producer, she spent several years working behind the scenes at Inside Edition, a syndicated news program. However, as the Trump family entered the political arena, her career took a new turn.
In 2016, Lara left her job in television to join Donald Trump’s campaign as an adviser. She played an active role in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, hosting Real News Update, a digital program that provided pro-Trump news coverage.
After the 2020 election, she briefly joined Fox News as a contributor in March 2021. However, she left the network in December 2022 when Donald Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign, as Fox News has a policy of not employing individuals involved in political races.
Aside from her media work, Lara was also involved with the Eric Trump Foundation, which focused on fundraising efforts for children’s hospitals. However, the foundation reportedly stopped raising funds in 2017.
Political Influence and RNC Leadership
While Lara had previously hinted at running for office herself, she never officially launched a campaign. In 2021, she considered running for a North Carolina Senate seat but ultimately decided against it, citing her young children as the reason for her decision. Despite stepping back from an official candidacy, she remained an influential figure in Republican politics.
In early 2024, Donald Trump endorsed Lara for a leadership role within the Republican National Committee (RNC). In March 2024, she was officially elected as the co-chair of the RNC, serving alongside chair Michael Whatley, a Trump ally. As part of her role, she has focused on fundraising efforts for the party, stating that the RNC needs to raise approximately half a billion dollars ahead of the 2024 election.
Lara’s leadership position has sparked controversy, particularly regarding the potential use of RNC funds to assist Donald Trump with his mounting legal expenses. She did not dismiss the possibility of using party donations to help cover his legal fees, stating that many Republican donors viewed the legal cases against him as political attacks.
The Family’s Life in New York and Florida
For years, Eric and Lara lived in New York, initially residing on the Seven Springs estate, a 230-acre property owned by Donald Trump. However, they later moved to a home near Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor, New York.
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In 2021, they expanded their property portfolio by purchasing a $3.2 million home in Jupiter, Florida. Shortly after, Eric officially changed his residency from New York to Florida, aligning with other members of the Trump family who had made similar moves.
Despite their deep connections to Florida, they continue to spend time in New York, where they raised their children. Lara has expressed how much the area means to Eric, recalling how he introduced her to Westchester County and how she grew to love it.
