The Heartbreaking Death Of Ivana Trump
Ivana Trump, former President Donald Trump's ex-wife, has reportedly passed away at the age of 73, according to a statement released by her family that Eric Trump posted on Instagram. The Czech-born model and later businesswoman was the former president's first wife and mother to three children: Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka, according to Forbes. She leaves behind ten grandchildren.
Known by her grandchildren as "Glam-ma" (per Newsweek), Ivana Trump split her time among New York, Miami, and Saint-Tropez, as Town & Country previously reported. In addition to her many successes and famous family members, she was known for her fan-favorite cameo in "The First Wives Club," in which she uttered her now-famous line about divorce.
Ivana Trump was a woman who took her own advice. In their statement, the Trump family described Ivana as "a survivor."
"She fled from communism and embraced this country. She taught her children about grit and toughness, compassion and determination. She will be dearly missed by her mother, her three children and 10 grandchildren," the statement said.
Details about Ivana Trump's untimely death
Ivana Trump passed away in her Manhattan apartment Thursday afternoon, according to ABC 7 News. Police reportedly arrived at her apartment responding to a call for someone in cardiac arrest in the early afternoon. Officials say the 73-year-old appears to have passed away from natural causes, the outlet reported. Numerous outlets have recounted Ivana Trump's storied life as the public mourns her death.
Ivana Trump came from humble Czech beginnings and became a household name after her marriage to business mogul Donald Trump in 1977, according to Biography. Born in 1949, the talented athlete competitively started skiing as a child. "She was always ambitious," her mother Marie Zelnickova told Newsweek in 2017.
Eventually, she went on to become a model and married her first husband, Austrian skier Alfred Winklmayr. Their marriage was short-lived, and it wasn't long until her modeling career brought her to New York City, where she met an emerging king of real estate.
Ivana and Donald Trump would go on to be married for 12 years before their highly publicized divorce in 1989. According to Elite Daily, Ivana Trump received a divorce settlement of $14 million in addition to real estate, child support, and more.
Former President Trump reacts to his ex-wife's passing
Donald Trump reacted to the death of his first wife by posting on his social media platform, Truth Social. "I am very saddened to inform all of those who loved her, of which there are many, that Ivana Trump has passed away at her home in New York City," he wrote, according to a screenshot of the post that was shared on Twitter.
"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!" the former president continued.
Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted her condolences to the family. "My family and I send all of our love and prayers to President Trump, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, and the entire Trump family for the loss of Ivana Trump. Thinking of you all during this very difficult time."
Heartfelt reactions continue to pour in across social media as fans and media outlets pay tribute to Ivana Trump and her fascinating life.
Ivana Trump was an athlete, model, mother, and businesswoman
Ivana Trump was born in what is now the Czech Republic on February 20, 1949, according to Biography. Her early life consisted of impressive athletic pursuits, particularly in skiing, culminating in a career as a college skier at Charles University in Prague. Her love for the winter sport and her passion for all things glamorous were simultaneously captured in a 1992 Vanity Fair photoshoot in which she's shown donning a yellow jacket and leotard while on a snowy mountain with skis.
Ivana went on to become a successful model after moving to Canada. From there, she found herself in New York City, where a real estate giant was gaining ground. Ivana Trump and Donald Trump met in 1976 and married a year later (via Town & Country).
The couple went on to welcome three children: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric Trump. Alongside motherhood, Ivana balanced managing executive positions in some of Trump's hotels, according to Biography.
Ivana Trump after her marriage to Donald Trump
Ivana Trump and Donald Trump separated in 1989 due to a rumored affair between the real estate mogul and Marla Maples (via Elite Daily). Less is known about Donald Trump's next ex-wife Marla Maples, but the two reportedly began seeing each other before his marriage to Ivana officially ended. In the wake of their divorce, Ivana walked away with a hefty settlement and plan to reinvent herself.
Following her split from Donald Trump, Ivana Trump wrote three books and began a fashion company, per Biography. She also made a memorable appearance in the 1996 hit movie "The First Wives Club." In a brief cameo alongside stars Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton, Ivana Trump says, "Ladies, you have to be strong and independent, and remember, don't get mad, get everything," according to IMDb.
The "Glam-ma" dabbled in fashion, entertainment, wine, and men — including two more husbands, Riccardo Mazzucchelli and Rossano Rubicondi. But at the end of the day, Ivana Trump was perceived by many as a woman who valued her independence, family, and even close relationship with her ex-husband years after their split, according to InStyle.