L arry Silverstein is a prominent American real estate developer and investor whose name is inextricably linked with the World Trade Center complex in New York City. He began his career in the 1950s, joining his father to buy and manage buildings in Manhattan under the firm Silverstein Properties. For decades, he built a substantial portfolio of commercial and residential properties, becoming a major figure in the city's real estate landscape. His most ambitious project began in July 2001, when he finalized a $3.2 billion deal to lease the iconic Twin Towers and other buildings at the World Trade Center from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Just six weeks after he signed the lease, the September 11th terrorist attacks destroyed the complex. In the aftermath, Silverstein, then 70 years old, dedicated himself to the monumental task of rebuilding. Despite facing immense insurance disputes, engineering challenges, and political hurdles, he has been the driving force behind the redevelopment of the site. Under his stewardship, several new towers have been completed, including 1, 3, 4, and 7 World Trade Center, reshaping the downtown Manhattan skyline and creating a powerful symbol of resilience. He remains the chairman of Silverstein Properties, actively overseeing his real estate empire.