Maryanne Trump Barry, the elder sister of former President Donald Trump, has passed away at the age of 86, confirmed by the New York City Police Department. Barry, a retired federal appellate judge, was found deceased at her home in Manhattan, New York City. Her death marks another loss in the Trump family, following the passing of Robert Trump, the president's younger brother, in August 2020.
Barry's legal career was notable, having served as a federal prosecutor before her nomination to the Federal District Court in New Jersey by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. Later, in 1999, President Bill Clinton appointed her to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. After President Trump took office in 2017, Barry ceased hearing cases and retired in 2019 amidst an investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving her family, which closed without conclusion upon her retirement.
Donald Trump once praised his sister as a "highly respected judge," despite their differences in public policy. However, their relationship experienced strains, particularly after the release of secretly recorded conversations by Trump's niece, Mary Trump, in which Barry criticized her brother's principles and political tactics. According to The Washington Post's report on these recordings, Barry was critical of Trump's approach to his political base and his administration's policies, especially the controversial immigration practices at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Despite these tensions, sources indicated that the siblings had been on the path to reconciliation, having met as recently as this past summer at Trump's club in Bedminster, New Jersey. The former president, known for his often confrontational and outspoken nature, did not immediately comment on his sister's death.
Maryanne Trump Barry's passing comes at a time when the Trump family continues to be in the public eye, with Donald Trump's presidency leaving an indelible mark on American politics and the nation's discourse. Her life, marked by a distinguished legal career and a complex relationship with one of the most polarizing figures in recent history, reflects the multifaceted nature of the Trump family's public and private personas.
The news of her death has brought attention not only to the Trump family's dynamics but also to the broader implications of their influence on American society and governance. As the family mourns the loss of Maryanne Trump Barry, the public's interest in the Trumps' personal and political affairs remains as intense as ever.
