Ivana Trump, former President Donald Trump's first wife, died on Monday at age 73.
"Ivana Trump was a survivor," the Trump family said in a statement. "She fled from communism and embraced this country. She taught her children about grit and toughness, compassion & determination. She will be dearly missed by her mother, her three children & 10 grandchildren."
Ivana Trump, born Ivana Zelníčková in Czechoslovakia, met Donald Trump in New York City in 1976. They married the next year, at Marble Collegiate Church, and had three children: Donald Jr., born 1977, Ivanka, born 1981, and Eric, born 1984. The couple divorced in 1992. Ivana went on to have to brief marriages to Riccardo Mazzucchelli from 1995 to 1997 and Rossano Rubicondi from 2008 to 2009.
Over the course of their relationship with Donald, Ivana was involved in the Trump Organization, working as the Vice President of interior design, and later as the president of Trump's casino in Atlantic City and the Plaza Hotel. She reportedly still stayed in touch with her ex-husband throughout his presidency, sometimes offering guidance.
Ivana died after an accident involving "blunt impact injuries" to her torso, according to the New York City Medical Examiner. Her death was determined to be accidental. The New York City Fire Department said it responded to a report of cardiac arrest at her Manhattan home on Thursday.
"I am very saddened to inform all of those that loved her, of which there are many, that Ivana Trump has passed away at her home in New York City," the former president wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. "She was a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life. Her pride and joy were her three children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. She was so proud of them, as we were all so proud of her. Rest In Peace, Ivana!"
Ivanka took to her Instagram to pay tribute to her late mother, writing, "Heartbroken by the passing of my mother. Mom was brilliant, charming, passionate and wickedly funny. She modeled strength, tenacity and determination in her every action. She lived life to the fullest — never forgoing an opportunity to laugh and dance." She ended her post, I will miss her forever and will keep her memory alive in our hearts always. ❤️."
Ivana published a memoir in 2017, titled Raising Trump: Family Values from America's First Mother, about journey from communist Czechoslovakia to New York and her relationship with Donald Trump. She's also the author of the semi-autobiographical romance novel, For Love Alone, and the self-help tome The Best Is Yet to Come: Coping With Divorce and Enjoying Life Again.
Ivana is survived by her mother, her three children, and ten grandchildren.
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.
