Ivana Trump, the first wife of Donald Trump and the mother of his three oldest children, has died at the age of 73. She played a vital role in helping the former president build his empire, including the signature building, Trump Tower.
Neither the Trump family’s statement nor Donald Trump’s own post mentioned Ivana’s cause of death.
Now, the Fire Department of New York has shared new details about her passing. Donald Trump announced the death of his ex-wife, Ivana Trump, on the social media platform Truth Social.
Ivana Trump dead at 73 – details
“I am very saddened to inform all those who loved her, of whom there are many, that Ivana Trump has passed away at her home in New York City,” Trump said.
Ivana and Donald Trump’s children—Donald Jr., 44, Ivanka, 40, and Eric, 38—are understandably in deep mourning over their mother’s passing. They remembered her as an “incredible woman—a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and a caring mother and friend.”
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Ivana Trump,” the family statement read. “She fled from communism and embraced this country.”
The statement continued: “She taught her children about grit and toughness, compassion, and determination. She will be dearly missed by her mother, her three children, and ten grandchildren.”
A statement revealed that police received a 911 call about an “aided individual” at around 12:40 p.m. As reported by Reuters, the Fire Department of New York said paramedics responded to a call at her apartment for cardiac arrest.
They found a “73-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive.” The time and location matched the address associated with Trump by the NYPD.
Later on Thursday, the New York Police Department said there did not “appear to be any criminality” related to Ivana’s death. The fire department added that the victim was dead on arrival.
Medical examiner to determine Ivana Trump’s cause of death
The medical examiner will now determine her cause of death. Born Ivana Marie Zelnickova on February 20, 1949, in Gottwaldov (now the city of Zlin) in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), Ivana Trump showed strong athletic talent from a young age.
Her father, Milos, believed in building resilience and taught Ivana how to ski and swim at an early age.
Ivana appeared to have it all as a child. A former classmate described her as “clever, pretty, tall, and slim.” She began skiing competitively in 1955, and by age 12, had entered a national training program. At the same time, she also took on minor roles in Czech films. She grew up in a competitive household where her father was strict, and she was raised to strive for excellence in everything.
Ivana Trump – early life
“When I was doing poorly at school, my father pulled me out and got me a job in a shoe factory,” Ivana Trump said.
“After three weeks, I begged him to give me another chance to do well in school. I learned that discipline is necessary to accomplish anything in life.”
While in high school in her home country, she competed in skiing tournaments across Europe. According to Donald Trump in his book Trump: The Art of the Deal, Ivana was an alternate on the Czechoslovakian ski team for the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics, though this claim has never been confirmed.
In any case, Ivana became a strong student and earned her Master’s degree in physical education from Charles University in Prague. After graduating, she moved to Canada.
In 1971, Ivana married Austrian skier Alfred Winklmayr, which allowed her to leave Communist-controlled Czechoslovakia—a significant step at the time.
She learned English while living in Toronto and later moved to Montreal, where she worked as a model and ski instructor. The couple divorced just two years later, as her modeling career began to take off. She worked with notable clients, including the “Got Milk” campaign, Eaton’s department store, and designer Auckie Sanft.
Meeting Donald Trump
Working with designer Sanft led to more opportunities, and in 1976, Ivana traveled to New York City for a fashion show.
While dining with friends at Maxwell’s Plum, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
“There’s this tall blond guy with blue eyes. He said, ‘I’m Donald Trump, and I see you’re looking for a table. I can help you,’” Ivana recalled in a New York Post interview.
“I looked at my friends and said, ‘The good news is we’re going to get a table very fast. The bad news is this guy is going to sit with us.’”
After the meal, Donald Trump paid the bill and disappeared, which surprised her. Later, she found him waiting outside in his limousine. At the time, he had already expanded the Trump empire after inheriting his father Fred Trump’s real estate business.
Ivana Trump – marriage to Donald Trump, children
“He drove us home, and then we started to date,” Ivana said.
Soon after, they fell in love. During a skiing trip to Aspen, Donald took lessons, unaware that Ivana was highly skilled.
“Sure enough, 10 minutes later I was on the mountain watching him make full turns, and it wasn’t fun,” Ivana recalled.
In 1977, the couple married just nine months after meeting. They had three children: Donald Trump Jr. (1977), Ivanka (1981), and Eric (1984).
As Donald became one of the world’s most influential real estate moguls, Ivana managed both family life and business responsibilities. She played a key role in the company, serving as interior designer of the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Trump Tower, and later as president and CEO of Trump Castle and the Plaza Hotel.
Vital in building the Trump empire
“No matter how busy I was, I had breakfast with my children every day. I sat with them at dinner every night and helped with their homework (I loved algebra) before going out in a Versace gown to a charity event,” Ivana wrote in her memoir Raising Trump.
The family lived in a luxurious triplex penthouse in Trump Tower and even had access to a Boeing 727.
However, after 14 years of marriage, Ivana and Donald divorced in a highly publicized legal battle. She was granted a divorce on grounds of “cruel and inhumane treatment,” receiving a $25 million settlement and custody of their children.
“Donald might not have been the best husband to me, but he was a good father,” she wrote.
“The credit for raising such great kids belongs to me”
Despite their difficult split, Ivana continued to speak about her role in raising their children.
“I believe the credit for raising such great kids belongs to me,” she wrote. “I was responsible for raising them before our divorce and had sole custody afterward.”
Ivana Trump – life after Donald Trump, marriages
After her divorce, Ivana married Riccardo Mazzucchelli in 1995, but they divorced two years later.
She later married Rossano Rubicondi in 2008; they divorced a year later.
Despite everything, Ivana supported Donald Trump during his presidential campaign and even offered him advice at times.
She also authored several bestselling books and launched her own clothing line.
Rest in peace, Ivana Trump. Please share this article with friends and family to honor her legacy.
