Trump unable to meet loan payments. By 1991, he was on the verge of personal bankruptcy. But banks opted to restructure his debt and by 1994, Trump had eliminated a large portion of his $900 million personal debt and $3.5 billion business debt.

In 1996, Trump unsuccessfully ran for the Republican Party presidential candidacy. In 2000, he ran for presidential candidacy of the Reform Party, but was again unsuccessful.

The Trump trademark has become a valuable brand. Licensing deals include Trump Restaurants, Trump fragrance, Trump Ice bottled water, Trump vodka, Trump steaks, the Donald J Trump Collection (menswear) and Trump magazine. The TV show, The Apprentice, is a ratings winner. Trump also owns the broadcast rights for the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA beauty pageants.

Trump has written a number of bestsellers, including Trump: Surviving at the Top (1990); Trump 101: The Way to Success (2007); and Trump Never Give Up: How I Turned My Biggest Challenges into Success (2008).

Trump is taking his real estate empire to the world. There’s Trump World in Seoul; Trump International Hotel and Tower in Toronto (completion date 2010); Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower in Panama City (2009); Trump at Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic; and the Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai. Deals in Hong Kong and China are on the cards.

Trump’s first of three marriages was » next