Passing of Maryanne Trump Barry at the age of 86, the eldest sister of former President Trump
Maryanne Trump Barry, the esteemed elder sister of Donald Trump, peacefully passed away at the age of 86 Her remarkable life and legacy will be cherished, as she leaves behind a profound impact on the Trump family and the nation
Maryanne Trump Barry, the elder sister of former President Donald Trump, has passed away at the age of 86, as confirmed by two sources familiar with the situation. Barry, renowned as a former federal judge and prosecutor, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 to serve on the Federal District Court in New Jersey. In 1999, President Bill Clinton nominated her for the 3rd Court of Appeals, and she retired from her judicial career in 2019.
Amid an investigation into potential violation of judicial conduct rules related to tax fraud, she retired. The New York Times reported that the former president and his siblings were accused of using tax schemes to increase their inheritances. The alleged fraud was brought to light inadvertently through a disclosure form during Barry's Senate confirmation. The investigation into Barry was closed following her retirement, allowing her to receive an annual retirement salary without facing judicial rebuke. Her attorney denied the allegations.
Donald Trump's political rise brought increased attention to his family, including his relationship with his sister, Barry. While Barry never publicly voiced any disagreements with her brother, audio recordings of conversations between Barry and her niece, Mary Trump, were obtained by CNN in 2020. These recordings revealed Barry's sharp criticism of the then commander-in-chief. The Washington Post initially acquired the transcripts and audio clips, which had not been released before, from Mary Trump.
Barry had been one of the closest confidants to the former president throughout his life, and he actively sought her counsel. However, their relationship suffered a rift during his final year in office when Mary Trump released recordings of Barry expressing critical views about her brother. Trump was deeply hurt by these comments, as confirmed by a source with direct knowledge of the situation, speaking to CNN at the time.
"Barry expressed to her niece, a vocal critic of President Trump's administration and the author of a highly controversial book titled 'Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created The World's Most Dangerous Man', that Donald is in trouble.
"He cannot seem to control his constant tweeting and deceitful behavior," Barry exclaimed on the recorded conversation. "I may be speaking indiscreetly, but you are aware of the inconsistent narratives, the absence of readiness, and the blatant dishonesty."
At one point in the recording, she called her younger brother "cruel."
"He has no principles," Barry said. "None."
She also implied that her brother attempted to claim credit for her achievements in the legal field, stating, "Since 1981, I have never requested a favor from him."
According to reports, Barry disclosed to her niece in a conversation in November 2018 that Trump had utilized someone to take his SAT exam for him, which is one of the most widely discussed allegations in Mary Trump's book.
In 2015, the leading contender for the GOP presidential nomination praised his sister, suggesting that she could be a potential candidate for the Supreme Court. During an interview with Bloomberg TV, he expressed his belief that she possessed exceptional qualities, describing her as highly intelligent and morally upright.
Mary Trump filed a lawsuit in 2020 against Donald Trump, Barry, and the executor of her late uncle Robert Trump's estate. She accused them of orchestrating a complex scheme to divert funds from her interests, conceal their illicit activities, and deceive her about the true value of her inheritance. However, the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge last year, as it was based on a settlement made several decades ago.
Barry, the eldest among five siblings, revealed in a 2002 interview with New York Magazine that she only pursued a career in law once her son reached sixth grade. She obtained her law degree from Hofstra University in 1974, as stated by the Federal Judicial Center.
She mentioned in the same interview that she opted out of joining the family business, stating, "As a child, I already recognized the futility of trying to compete against Donald." This article has been revised to include supplementary details.
