David William Desmond is the only son of Maryanne Trump Barry, making him part of one of America’s most talked-about families. However, unlike his famous relatives, he chose a very different path. Instead of seeking attention, he built his life around education, science, and creative writing.
Detailed Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David William Desmond |
| Mother | Maryanne Trump Barry (1937-2023) |
| Father | David Desmond |
| Step-Father | John Joseph Barry |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Behavioral Sciences (University of Chicago), Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (Fordham University) |
| Career | Clinical Psychologist, Researcher, Author |
| Spouse | Lisa Renee Aitken (married 1992) |
| Notable Works | “The Misadventures of Oliver Booth: Life in the Lap of Luxury”, “Oliver Booth and the Evil Socialite” |
| Awards | Next Generation Indie Book Award (General Fiction/Novel & First Novel) |
| Residence | Palm Beach, Florida and Paris, France |
| Known For | Psychology practice, satirical novels, maintaining privacy despite family connections |
Early Life and Education
David William Desmond grew up in a family with strong connections to law and business. His mother, Maryanne Trump Barry, was the oldest sister of Donald Trump and the daughter of real estate developer Fred Trump. His parents divorced in 1980 when he was young, and his mother later married John Joseph Barry, a federal lawyer.
For his schooling, David attended Kew-Forest High School in Forest Hills, New York. He showed a strong interest in understanding human behavior from an early age. This interest led him to the University of Chicago, where he earned his degree in behavioral sciences. He didn’t stop there. He went on to Fordham University in the Bronx, where he completed his doctoral degree in psychology.
His education gave him deep knowledge about how the mind works. He also completed special training in stroke and dementia at the Neurological Institute of New York. This training helped him become an expert in understanding how brain injuries affect people’s thinking and memory.
Career in Psychology
David William Desmond worked as a clinical psychologist for more than 40 years. His main work involved helping people deal with mental health problems like worry, sadness, and other emotional difficulties. He was not just a regular psychologist. He also led important research projects.
One of his biggest achievements was leading the Stroke and Aging Research Project. This project became one of the largest studies of its kind. It looked at how strokes affect the way people think and remember things. His research helped doctors better understand brain health in older patients. Many other scientists read and used his work in their own studies.
In 1990, David opened the Desmond Psychological Center, his own private practice. This center offered different types of help to people who needed it. Patients could get individual therapy, couple therapy, or family therapy. The center also provided group therapy sessions. Licensed psychologists and therapists worked at the center to give the best care possible.
David was a respected member of professional groups. He belonged to both the American Psychological Association and the New York State Psychological Association. Sometimes he was invited to speak at professional meetings and workshops about mental health topics.
Life as an Author
Later in his life, David discovered another passion – writing. He lived between two beautiful cities: Palm Beach in Florida and Paris in France. These places gave him many ideas for his stories. He watched the wealthy people around him and found their behavior interesting and sometimes funny.
In 2008, he published his first novel called “The Misadventures of Oliver Booth: Life in the Lap of Luxury.” The book tells the story of Oliver Booth, a man who runs an antique shop and desperately wants to be part of high society. The problem is that Oliver is not very good at fitting in. He dresses badly, acts arrogantly, and sells fake antiques. The story becomes funny when a wealthy woman sends Oliver and his smart assistant Bernard to Paris to buy furniture. Many silly and entertaining things happen during their trip.
The book was a big success. It won the Next Generation Indie Book Award for General Fiction and First Novel. It also received praise from readers and critics. Even his uncle, Donald Trump, wrote a positive review saying it was a funny story based on insider knowledge of Palm Beach and Paris.
Five years later, David published a second book called “Oliver Booth and the Evil Socialite.” This sequel continued the adventures of Oliver Booth with new characters and more funny situations. The book introduced characters like “DJ Oligarch,” described as the king of Russian hip hop and the inventor of the bulletproof tuxedo.
Besides writing novels, David also wrote a weekly humor column for the Palm Beach Daily News. His writing showed his clever observations about people and society. He used humor to point out the silly things that happen in the world of the rich and famous.
Personal Life and Family
David’s connection to the Trump family comes through his mother. However, he never tried to use this connection for fame or attention. When his mother, Maryanne Trump Barry, passed away in November 2023 at age 86, David spoke briefly to reporters. He simply asked that the funeral service remain private and that the family preferred to avoid press coverage.
In July 1992, David married Lisa Renee Aitken at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City. Lisa came from a good family. Her father, Frank E. Aitken, was a retired senior executive from the Exxon Corporation. Lisa herself had graduated from Southern Methodist University and earned her MBA from New York University. Before their marriage, she worked as an executive assistant at an investment firm.
David and Lisa made their home in Palm Beach, but they also spent several months each year in Paris. This lifestyle allowed David to observe both American and French high society, which helped him write his books.
For some years, David owned property at Mar-a-Lago, the Florida estate belonging to his uncle Donald Trump. His mother, Maryanne, had originally built the house on Woodbridge Road. However, in September 2016, just two months before Donald Trump was elected president, David sold this property. This move showed his desire to keep distance from political attention.
Staying Away from Politics
Unlike his mother, who made news with her strong opinions about her brother Donald, David stayed completely away from politics. Secret recordings released in 2020 showed Maryanne Trump Barry calling her brother cruel and saying he had no principles. But David never shared any public political views.
His choice to remain private was strong and clear. He focused on his patients, his research, and his writing. He avoided interviews and public appearances. This behavior was very different from the Trump family’s usual love of media attention.
Conclusion
David William Desmond lived a full and interesting life as a psychologist, researcher, and author. Though connected to the Trump family through his mother Maryanne Trump Barry, he created his own path based on education, professional excellence, and creative writing. His contributions to understanding brain health and his entertaining satirical novels show that a person can make their mark in multiple fields. His story reminds us that meaningful achievement often comes from dedication to one’s work rather than seeking the spotlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is David William Desmond?
David William Desmond is the only son of Maryanne Trump Barry, the late federal judge and older sister of Donald Trump. He is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and award-winning author known for his satirical Oliver Booth novels.
2. What did David William Desmond study?
He earned his bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences from the University of Chicago and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fordham University. He also completed special training in stroke and dementia research.
5. Where does David William Desmond live?
He lives primarily in Palm Beach, Florida, but also spends time in Paris, France. He previously owned property at Mar-a-Lago but sold it in 2016 before his uncle’s presidential election.
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