In the summer of 1987, a young and ambitious Donald Trump was photographed in Moscow, a city that would later become a focal point in discussions surrounding his business ventures and political career. Accompanied by his then-wife Ivana Trump, the real estate mogul explored the Russian capital with grand ideas of expanding his empire beyond American borders.
At this point in his life, Trump was already a well-known figure in the real estate industry. With Trump Tower standing tall in Manhattan, he had his sights set on global expansion.
Moscow was a particularly intriguing destination for the young entrepreneur, offering both mystery and opportunity during the final years of the Cold War. The Soviet Union, despite its political tensions with the West, was beginning to explore economic partnerships with foreign investors, and Trump was eager to be at the forefront of that shift.
Trump’s trip to Moscow wasn’t just a business move—it was also a significant moment in his relationship with Ivana Trump. The two had married in 1977 and had already built a reputation as one of New York’s most high-profile power couples.
Ivana, a former model and businesswoman of Czech descent, was deeply involved in Trump’s growing empire, playing key roles in the design and management of several Trump properties.
While in Moscow, Ivana was reportedly fascinated by the city’s architecture, culture, and history. Having grown up in communist Czechoslovakia, she understood the political climate better than most Western visitors, and her insights were invaluable as Trump considered future business ventures in the USSR.
Though the Moscow trip seemed like an exciting chapter for their marriage, cracks in their relationship would emerge in the years that followed. By the early 1990s, their marriage was strained by public scandals, including Trump’s highly publicized affair with Marla Maples.
The couple divorced in 1992, marking the end of one of the most talked-about relationships in the business world.
Trump’s fascination with Moscow didn’t fade after his 1987 visit. Reports suggest that he explored the idea of building a luxury hotel or a Trump Tower in the Russian capital.
However, those plans never came to fruition. Various political and financial obstacles prevented Trump from securing a major deal in Moscow, but his ties to Russia would remain a source of intrigue for decades.
Despite his business aspirations, Trump’s interest in Russia took on a new dimension when he entered politics. His presidency (2017-2021) was clouded by ongoing discussions and controversies surrounding alleged Russian ties, making his early visits to Moscow even more significant in hindsight.
Looking at this image from 1987, we see more than just a young Donald Trump in Moscow—we see a man on the verge of global recognition, a businessman dreaming of international expansion, and a husband standing beside a wife who would later become a key figure in his personal and professional life.
This snapshot captures an era when Trump was not yet the divisive political figure he would later become, but rather a businessman who saw the world as a playground for his ambitions.
His Moscow visit may not have led to a skyscraper, but it certainly became a part of the larger story that would define his legacy.
