Blaine Trump is a Trump Everyone Can Love
Produced By R. Couri Hay
God’s Love We Deliver
You might know her last name, but you definitely might not know the real – and very relatable – Blaine Trump, who is widely known for her involvement with the now legendary charity: God’s Love We Deliver. Though her second husband was Robert Trump, the now deceased brother of President Donald J. Trump, Blaine has always remained, well, Blaine. So, what’s behind all the glitz and glares of someone with a last name that once led a waiter in California to say he wouldn’t have served her if he knew she was a Trump? Now, she often just uses her first name “Because it’s easier,” explained Blaine.
Co-chairing ABT & Met Gala’s
One could easily say that this original society lady who co-chaired ABT and Met Gala events with Jackie Kennedy Onassis, has mostly stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, and that is how she has preferred it. She might be one of the lesser-known Trump’s, especially to today’s generation, but Blaine continues to remain passionate about her charitable endeavors, something which has given her great purpose in life. Born to Southern parents who customarily give a minimum of two to three names, Martha Lindley Blaine, referred to as Blaine, has lived a life of privilege, which she has wielded with great responsibility.
Growing Up in Japan
Though Blaine seems like the quintessential New Yorker, she in fact didn’t grow up in New York at all, but rather in Japan due to
her father’s international job with IBM World Trade, as well as boarding school in Switzerland. With blonde hair and a tall stature by age ten, she certainly stood out in her adopted country of Japan. At one point, Blaine had even tried to convince her father to allow a Canadian doctor she had read about to perform a surgery that would take a few inches out of her knees. “My father said, ‘young lady, one day, you will be so happy that you’re five, nine,’ and he was right. But when you grow up in a country where everybody’s, let’s say vertically challenged, for me it was hard, I towered over everyone.” Since those days Blaine has done just fine standing out in her own right.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
After studying at the University of Tokyo, Blaine’s father convinced her that it was time to come home to America. While it took a bit of acclimating, she quickly planted her stylish and selfless roots in New York, where she started working at Christie’s and realized her inclination towards helping others after joining the board at Memorial Sloan-Kettering where she had taken her grandmother Martha for cancer treatments. She was also briefly married to her first husband Peter Retchin with whom she shares a son Christopher, who was later adopted by Robert.
30 Million Meals Delivered
Her philanthropic efforts reached heavenly new heights when she joined God’s Love We Deliver alongside the charity’s original patron, saint Judy Peabody in 1987. Blaine is a Lifetime Vice Chair of the Board. Yes, that means she can’t ever step down, and she would never want to. “In the eighties, we were really focused on all of our clients that were very sick with AIDS, and there was no one out there to do that” explains Blaine. “I had so many friends that were unwell. But we have grown, and we have changed, and we have created a lot of new programs, including special meal and nutrition programs.” With demand for freshly cooked meals growing exponentially, especially during the pandemic, God’s Love cooked and delivered 2.8 million meals in the last year alone. They now feed New York’s most vulnerable who are suffering from 200 different diagnoses. All it takes is a note from a doctor and the first meal arrives within 24 hours. The organization has served 30 million meals since its inception in 1985. glwd.org
Blaine’s heart is truly what has led to so many hearty meals being delivered. “I remember the first time I took my mother on a delivery and we met this Vietnam vet who showed us his bullet wound from Vietnam. He told us all sorts of amazing stories and those are our clients. It’s just how New Yorkers are, they embrace you and we’re lucky we have great support from New Yorkers.”
James Revson
Her journey with God’s Love all started when her friend, James Revson, who was suffering from and eventually died of AIDS, contacted the organization and was told they didn’t have any money, so he suggested they reach out to Blaine. She received a letter from the man who had spoken to Revson, Buddy Noro, and immediately took a taxi over to the West-Park Presbyterian Church. “I said, where is this man? I’m here. I want to see what you’re doing, and I think I can help you.”
Glasshouse Benefit October 17th, 2022
Blaine has also been instrumental in securing funding from top donors, including Michael Kors, who she remembers asking for $5 million almost ten years ago. The fashion designer continues to be closely connected to the charity. Kors’ team has helped create memorable events for them through the years, with the help of co-chairs including Ryan Murphy, Alan Cumming, Iman and Aerin Lauder. This year’s gala is being held Monday, October 17th at The Glasshouse, where Billy Porter will be the MC. Anna Wintour is serving as benefit’s Honorary Chair. While they haven’t yet announced two of the honorees, they will be honoring CEO Karen Pearl who is retiring after 16 years. They are now going on 2.6 million meals a year, with an annual fundraising goal of $29 million. Don’t be surprised if you see Blaine delivering meals when she’s in town with some celebrity friends in tow, including the times she would make meal calls with pal Joan Rivers.
“I’m super Sensitive”
With a laidback yet fiercely witty demeanor, Blaine has always been branded ‘the nice Trump’. In fact, a well-known writer once said he couldn’t think of anything bad to say about her – and neither can anyone! She is, in fact, not trying to be anything but Blaine. “I think people don’t see me for who I am in the sense that they think I’m quite grand, I guess. I don’t know. But people have said that they often say, God, you’re nothing like I thought you’d be. And I thought, what does that mean? But I love humor, I love the theater. I’m just like everybody else. I love all the wonderful things and opportunities that come our way and I try and inhale it all. I learned to just be as private as I could about my personal life, because as much as you like to think everyone is rooting for you and is thrilled that you’ve had such success, it’s not always the case. I’m super sensitive so I try and protect myself from all the bows and arrows out there. And there are a lot. And I think that’s separated me from being as visible and being as out there as they are. I never wanted my personal life to be as public.”
People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People
Still, there is no doubt that she has indeed been front and center, having been photographed consistently for her style and glamour, and receiving recognition for her well-deserved charitable works. She was even named one of People Magazine’s Most Beautiful People, and of course, asked if it was a prank call when she received the news. She also recalls sitting in the upstairs booth for the opening night of American Ballet Theater surrounded by Mrs. Obama and Jill Biden. “I looked around and I thought, gosh, I can’t believe this, little old me is sitting here with all these very fancy people. But I feel that way, I am just very grateful for all the really great things that have just come from having an open heart and an open mind about how to help and how to give things back and make things work in the city.”
The American dream
What advice does this philanthropic pillar of society have for other aspiring philanthropists? “If I were moving to New York today, I’d just focus on one thing that I really am interested in and care about and volunteer for that organization. Because I think volunteering is really an important part of character building and an important part of who you are and who you want to become if you’re living what I call the American dream.”
Having always been intrigued with the history and architecture of Manhattan her perfect pied-a-terre, located in the Gainsborough Studios was featured in Architectural Digest and remains one of her favorite places. Built in 1905, it was known as the artists building. They didn’t have kitchens back then, so the artist tenants would all have meals together in the one big kitchen and dining room on the first floor. “I kind of feel their embrace when I walk in my front door. I just, oh, it’s like a great feeling. With decorating, I would say that I’m a traditionalist, but I do like to incorporate modern touches and things like that.”
Advocate For Mental Health
After a very public divorce from Robert Blaine moved back to Florida, where her family had always had roots. She has also been an advocate for mental health and is glad to see some of the stigma being washed away. “It was one of the darkest times in my life. And I feel lucky, and I feel grateful that I had the support of friends and family that got me through it.” Today, her biggest trouble is trying her best to remain coy about her last name when meeting new people. “That’s another hour of conversation about how they feel about Donald and the family. And it’s like, everybody’s got their opinion and I’m kind of worn out with everybody’s opinion.”
While she loves to stay away from the drama, she does sometimes find herself in the middle of things, such as when a stray bullet came through her 34th floor window in Miami. Though the police conducted a full investigation, they still don’t know if the incident was a targeted or random attack. While she tries not to worry about it, she says it was definitely a “wakeup call.”
NYC & Miami
Splitting her time between New York and Miami, where she has two residences, including an apartment downtown to be close to her favorite basketball team, the Miami Heat, Blaine is settling into this very comfortable chapter of her life with her longtime partner, Steve Simon, who she happened to be introduced to by a mutual friend at a Heat game. Her son recently welcomed his first son with his wife a few weeks ago and she is soaking up all the family time she can get.
This particular Trump will not be getting into politics, but she is cultivating some of her own projects, such as when she created the Blaine Trump American Classic collection for QVC where was able to donate proceeds to a charity of her choice. After all, when it comes to fashion and funds, nobody does it better, and Blaine just keeps getting better.
