We chat with the man whose bank account is only matched by the purported size of his ego. Love him or hate him, Donald Trump is definitely not shy about himself. Whether it's expressing his utmost disdain on The Apprentice, or attacking US President Barack Obama, he is up for any contest. We chat with him about his children, marriage, and oh yeah, money. Here are seven choice quotes:

My life essentially is one big, fat phone call.

For me, business comes easier than relationships.

Work hard to take the gamble out of the gamble.

Going through tough times is a wonderful thing, and everybody should try it. Once.

I was walking down Fifth Avenue with Marla Maples in 1991. This was at the peak of the bad market. Across the street I saw a man in front of Tiffany with a tin cup. I looked at Marla and said, "You know, right now that man is worth USD900 million more than I am." When I told Marla this, she didn't run away. Of course, I would have saved a little money if she had.

CEO compensation has gotten outrageous. Some of these guys come into these big, monster, powerful companies, and all of a sudden they're making USD40, USD50, USD60 million a year. It's one thing if you create a company and you start from scratch. But some of these companies have been around for a hundred years. You increase the price of a bottle of ketchup by one penny and you look like a genius. It seems ridiculous. The solution? Have the people who own the stock vote on it.

I nod, and it is done.

And of course, here are some of our favourite moments involving Mister Trump. 

A young Donald Trump, sans wrinkles and more firm toupee.

Donald Trump fires the whole team. 'Cos, you know. It's his show.

Donald Trump fires Gene Simmons from KISS.

The infamous roast of Trump by President Obama.

Read more about Trump in Esquire Malaysia July Love or Money Issue. Interview by Cal Fussman. Photograph by Jerome Albertini.