From Prison To Paris: The Shocking Rise And Diplomatic Role Of Jared Kushner's Father, Charles Kushner

Few figures in American real estate and politics possess a narrative arc as dramatic and controversial as Charles Kushner, the father of former White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner. As of December 2025, the elder Kushner holds the prestigious and high-profile position of U.S. Ambassador to France, a diplomatic post that marks the stunning culmination of a journey that includes a notorious federal prison sentence and a highly scrutinized presidential pardon. This article offers an in-depth look at his life, legal history, real estate empire, and his current, often-controversial, diplomatic role.

The appointment of Charles Kushner to the ambassadorship in Paris, confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2025, has placed the Kushner family’s complex history—a blend of immense wealth, political power, and legal scandal—firmly back into the global spotlight. His current role in France is not merely a diplomatic posting; it is the ultimate symbol of a personal and political rehabilitation orchestrated through his son's connection to the highest levels of American power.

The Complete Biography and Profile of Charles Kushner

Charles Kushner, born Chanan Kushner, is the patriarch of the influential Kushner family and the founder of the multi-billion-dollar real estate firm, Kushner Companies.

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• Full Name: Chanan "Charles" Kushner
• Date of Birth: May 16, 1954
• Place of Birth: Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity/Religion: Orthodox Jewish (Son of Holocaust survivors)
• Education: New York University School of Law (J.D.), Hofstra University (B.A.)
• Occupation: Real Estate Developer, Investor, Disbarred Attorney, Diplomat
• Spouse: Seryl Kushner
• Children: Jared Kushner, Joshua Kushner, Nicole Kushner Meyer, Dara Kushner
• Key Role (Current): U.S. Ambassador to France (Confirmed May 2025)
• Family Business: Founder of Kushner Companies (1985)
• Notable Legal History: Convicted Felon (2005), Pardoned by President Trump (2020)

The Infamous Crime: Witness Tampering and the Chris Christie Connection

The most defining, and darkest, chapter in Charles Kushner’s life revolves around his 2005 federal criminal conviction. This event is critical to understanding the family dynamic and the political landscape they navigate today.

In 2004, while facing a federal investigation, Charles Kushner orchestrated a shocking act of retaliation against his brother-in-law, William Schulder, who was cooperating with prosecutors. Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law into a tryst, which was secretly videotaped. He then mailed the tape to his own sister, Esther Schulder, in an attempt to intimidate her and her husband.

The investigation, led by then-U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Chris Christie, resulted in Kushner pleading guilty to 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, and witness tampering. He was sentenced to two years in federal prison, ultimately serving 14 months at a federal prison camp in Alabama.

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This period had a profound effect on his family. His son, Jared Kushner, took over the day-to-day operations of Kushner Companies at the age of 24, effectively running the family business while his father was incarcerated. Chris Christie, who later became a political ally and then rival of Donald Trump, famously called Charles Kushner’s crime "one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes" he had ever prosecuted.

The Power of the Pardon and Political Rehabilitation

The political redemption of Charles Kushner was secured on December 23, 2020, when President Donald Trump granted him a full pardon. The decision was widely seen as a direct favor to his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who had served as a senior White House advisor throughout the Trump administration. The White House statement at the time praised Kushner’s extensive philanthropic work and his commitment to charitable causes, though critics argued the pardon was a clear example of transactional justice.

The pardon cleared the path for his ultimate political appointment. In a move that shocked many in the diplomatic community, Donald Trump nominated Charles Kushner as the U.S. Ambassador to France following his successful 2024 presidential campaign. The U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment in May 2025, despite his status as a disbarred attorney and his criminal record.

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Kushner’s Diplomatic Role and Recent Controversies in Paris (2025)

Since his confirmation in May 2025, Charles Kushner's tenure as the U.S. Ambassador to France has been marked by immediate diplomatic friction, demonstrating that his controversial past is no longer an obstacle, but his present actions are creating new tensions.

The Antisemitism Dispute

One of the most significant controversies of his first few months occurred in late 2025. Ambassador Kushner publicly accused the French government, led by President Emmanuel Macron, of failing to adequately address a dramatic rise in antisemitism and even suggested that government policies were "fuelling" the issue through its criticisms of Israel.

This highly unusual public criticism of a host nation’s government by a sitting ambassador immediately led to diplomatic tensions. France formally summoned Ambassador Kushner to the Quai d'Orsay (the French Foreign Ministry) to explain his remarks, underscoring the delicate nature of his appointment and his willingness to engage in political confrontation.

Skipping Key Diplomatic Meetings

Adding to the friction, reports surfaced in August 2025 that Ambassador Kushner had failed to attend a scheduled meeting with the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian. Skipping such a key meeting with a host country's chief diplomat is a significant breach of protocol, suggesting a less conventional and more politically charged approach to his diplomatic responsibilities, echoing the style of the Trump administration that appointed him.

The Kushner Real Estate Empire and Jared’s Legacy

The foundation of the Kushner family's wealth and influence is Kushner Companies, a diversified real estate organization founded by Charles in 1985.

• Kushner Companies: The firm’s portfolio, which includes significant holdings in the New Jersey residential market, was estimated to be worth approximately $2.9 billion as of late 2024.
• Key Properties: Notable ventures include the acquisition of Dumbo Heights in Brooklyn, in partnership with firms like LIVWRK, and the infamous, and often disastrous, $1.8 billion purchase of 666 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in 2007.
• Jared’s Takeover: Jared Kushner took control of the company in 2005 following his father’s incarceration, a period that forced him to mature quickly and navigate the complex world of high-stakes real estate deals.

The familial connection between Charles and Jared extends beyond real estate. Jared’s post-White House career is centered on his private equity firm, Affinity Partners, which he founded in 2021. This firm has garnered billions in investments, including significant funding from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, a connection that has sparked intense scrutiny due to Jared's previous diplomatic work in the region, including his involvement in the Abraham Accords.

The story of Charles Kushner is a compelling case study in American power, redemption, and the blurred lines between business, law, and politics. From a federal prison cell to the grand stage of a European embassy in 2025, his life continues to shape the political and financial landscape around his son, Jared Kushner, and remains a deeply divisive topic in both the U.S. and France.