David William Desmond was an accomplished American psychologist, researcher, and novelist who lived a private yet remarkable life. Born on February 4, 1934, in New Jersey, he became connected to the Trump family through his marriage to Maryanne Trump Barry, the sister of Donald Trump, but he chose to build his own legacy away from the spotlight. He gained respect in the medical field for leading the Stroke and Aging Research Project, which advanced understanding of stroke and dementia, and later turned to literature, where his satirical Oliver Booth novels won awards and praise for their witty look at high society. Until his passing in 2006 at the age of 71, Desmond remained dedicated to science, writing, and family, remembered as a man who valued intellect, humor, and privacy over fame.
Quick Bio
| Full Name | David William Desmond |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 4, 1934 |
| Place of Birth | New Jersey, United States |
| Date of Death | January 17, 2006 |
| Age at Death | 71 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Psychologist, Researcher, Author |
| Known For | Stroke and Aging Research Project, Oliver Booth novels |
| Marital Status | Married twice |
| First Wife | Maryanne Trump Barry (m. 1959–div. 1980) |
| Second Wife | Lisa Renee Aitken (m. 1992) |
| Children | 2 (David William Desmond Jr., Robert Desmond) |
| Residence | Palm Beach, Florida & Paris, France |
| Cause of Fame | Connection to the Trump family, medical research, and satirical novels |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Early Life and Background
David William Desmond was born on February 4, 1934, in New Jersey, and although very little is known about his family background or early upbringing, his life quickly became defined by a deep commitment to education and intellectual growth. He pursued his studies at the University of Chicago, where he earned a degree in behavioral sciences, and later completed a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Fordham University.
His passion for understanding the human mind then led him to the Neurological Institute of New York at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, where he undertook advanced training in stroke and dementia research. These early academic achievements not only prepared him for a distinguished career in psychology and neuropsychology but also reflected his drive to contribute meaningful knowledge to science and medicine.
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Age and Looks
David William Desmond was born on February 4, 1934, in New Jersey, and he passed away on January 17, 2006, at the age of 71. While his career and writing gained recognition, very little is known about his physical appearance because he lived a quiet and private life, rarely appearing in the media. Most information about him highlights his work as a psychologist and author, showing he valued his professional contributions more than public attention to his appearance.
Marriage to Maryanne Trump Barry
In 1959, David William Desmond married Maryanne Trump Barry, the eldest daughter of real estate developer Fred Trump and the sister of Donald Trump, which connected him to one of the most well-known families in America. Their marriage lasted for two decades before ending in divorce in 1980, during which time they welcomed one son, David William Desmond Jr. While Maryanne went on to build a highly respected legal career and later became a federal judge, Desmond chose to follow his own path in psychology and research. Despite being part of the Trump family through marriage, he remained distant from their business and public activities, preferring a quieter and more private life.
Who Is Maryanne Trump Barry?
Maryanne Trump Barry, born on April 5, 1937, is the eldest sister of Donald Trump and a retired federal judge who served with distinction for decades. She was first appointed to the U.S. District Court of New Jersey in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan and later elevated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in 1999 by President Bill Clinton, where she worked until her retirement in 2019. Known for her sharp legal mind and professionalism, she built a respected career separate from her family’s business and political world. Maryanne was married to psychologist David William Desmond from 1959 until their divorce in 1980, and together they had one son, David William Desmond Jr.
Child from First Marriage
During his first marriage to Maryanne Trump Barry, David William Desmond became the father of one son, David William Desmond Jr., who was the only child from their union. Born during the years the couple was together, he grew up as both the grandson of real estate developer Fred Trump and the nephew of Donald Trump, placing him within one of America’s most well-known families. Despite these high-profile family connections, very little public information is available about his life, as he, like his father, has largely chosen to remain private and away from the spotlight.
Second Marriage to Lisa Renee Aitken
After his divorce from Maryanne Trump Barry, David William Desmond remarried in 1992 when he wed Lisa Renee Aitken, the daughter of retired Exxon executive Frank E. Aitken of Naples, Florida. Their wedding took place at St. Thomas Church in New York City, a traditional Episcopal ceremony that reflected their close family ties and social standing.
At the time, Lisa was pursuing her MBA at New York University and working as an executive assistant in the financial sector, while Desmond was established in his career as a clinical psychologist at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. The couple later settled into a lifestyle that balanced both family and travel, spending much of their time between Palm Beach, Florida, and Paris, France, where Desmond also found inspiration for his writing.
Child from Second Marriage
David William Desmond and his second wife, Lisa Renee Aitken, had one son named Robert Desmond, who was born in the mid-1990s. Robert was raised in both Palm Beach, Florida, and Paris, France, as his parents divided their time between the two places, giving him a life shaped by travel and culture. Like his father, Robert has been kept out of the public spotlight, with little personal information available, as the family preferred to live quietly despite their social connections.
Career in Psychology and Research
David William Desmond had a respected career in psychology, focusing on stroke and dementia research at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center’s Neurological Institute. As principal investigator of the Stroke and Aging Research Project, he led one of the largest studies of its time on cognitive decline in stroke patients, showing how recurrent strokes and brain atrophy increased the risk of dementia. His work helped shape medical understanding of cerebrovascular disease as a major cause of memory loss in older adults and is still recognized in the field today.
From Psychologist to Author
Later in life, David William Desmond made a unique shift from psychology and medical research to writing fiction, drawing inspiration from the wealthy social circles of Palm Beach and Paris, where he lived with his family. His first novel, The Misadventures of Oliver Booth: Life in the Lap of Luxury, published in 2008, humorously told the story of an ambitious antique dealer desperate to join Palm Beach’s elite society, and it won several awards for its sharp wit and originality.
He followed it with a sequel, Oliver Booth and the Evil Socialite, which introduced more eccentric characters and expanded on his satire of high society. These books showed his ability to blend keen observation with humor, proving that his deep understanding of human behavior extended far beyond psychology and into storytelling that entertained and amused readers.
Reception and Writing Career
David William Desmond’s writing was well received, with his first novel, The Misadventures of Oliver Booth: Life in the Lap of Luxury, winning awards like the Next Generation Indie Book Award and earning praise for its sharp humor about Palm Beach society. He later published a sequel, Oliver Booth and the Evil Socialite, which continued his satirical take on high society and added colorful new characters. Critics admired his witty style, and even Donald Trump praised his first book, calling it hilarious, which gave his work added attention.
Private Life and Personality
Throughout his life, Desmond made privacy a priority. Unlike the Trump family, who often welcomed attention, Desmond avoided public appearances and interviews. Even when his former wife, Maryanne Trump Barry, made headlines with sharp remarks about her brother Donald, Desmond stayed silent. He did not share political views publicly, nor did he attempt to use his family connections for personal gain. His reserved nature was clear even in later years, such as when his mother passed away in November 2023, and he spoke to the press only to request that the service remain private. His preference for quiet dignity made him stand out even more in contrast to the very public family he had once married into.
Death and Legacy
David William Desmond died on January 17, 2006, at the age of 71, after a life devoted to both science and literature. He is remembered for his important research on stroke and dementia, which helped doctors better understand cognitive decline, and for his humorous Oliver Booth novels that satirized high society. Though connected to the Trump family, he lived quietly and left behind a legacy of knowledge, creativity, and privacy.
David William Desmond Net Worth
The exact net worth of David William Desmond was never made public, as he valued privacy and did not live a life centered on wealth or publicity like some members of the Trump family. He earned his income through his long career as a psychologist and researcher at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and later as an author of the Oliver Booth novels, which gained awards and recognition. While his lifestyle in Palm Beach, Florida, and Paris, France, suggests he lived comfortably, there are no confirmed figures available about his personal fortune.
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Conclusion
David William Desmond’s life was defined by knowledge, creativity, and privacy, as he built a career in psychology that advanced the understanding of stroke and dementia while later reinventing himself as a novelist who used humor to portray high society. Though once linked to the Trump family through his marriage to Maryanne Trump Barry, he remained independent and avoided the spotlight, focusing instead on his work and family. By balancing science and literature, he left behind a legacy that continues to be respected, proving that true influence does not always come from fame but from meaningful contributions that stand the test of time.
FAQs About David William Desmond
1. Who was David William Desmond?
David William Desmond was an American psychologist, researcher, and author who gained recognition for his work on stroke and dementia as well as his satirical Oliver Booth novels.
2. When was David William Desmond born?
He was born on February 4, 1934, in New Jersey, United States.
3. Who was David William Desmond married to?
He was married twice — first to Maryanne Trump Barry, sister of Donald Trump, from 1959 to 1980, and later to Lisa Renee Aitken in 1992.
4. Did David William Desmond have children?
Yes, he had two sons — David William Desmond Jr. from his first marriage and Robert Desmond from his second marriage.
5. What was David William Desmond known for in his career?
He was best known as the principal investigator of the Stroke and Aging Research Project and later as the author of the award-winning Oliver Booth satirical novels.
6. When did David William Desmond die?
He passed away on January 17, 2006, at the age of 71.
7. Was David William Desmond connected to the Trump family?
Yes, through his first marriage to Maryanne Trump Barry, he became the brother-in-law of Donald Trump, but he kept a private life away from their public spotlight.
