Ivana Trump, a skier, businesswoman, and former President Donald Trump’s first wife, died in New York City on Thursday. She was 73.
Born as Ivana Zelnickova in 1949 in the Czechoslovak city of Zlin, formerly known as Gottwaldov from 1949–1989.
The former President posted about Ivana’s death at her Manhattan home on his social media.
“She was a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life,” he wrote on Truth Social, an app created by Trump Media & Technology Group.
They shared three children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric.
“She was so proud of them, as we were all so proud of her,” Trump wrote. “Rest In Peace, Ivana!”
According to anonymous sources, she was found unconscious near the stairs of her home. The police and the medical examiner’s office will investigate the cause of death.
A racer and model, Ivana met Donald Trump in the 70s. In her book in 2017, she described Trump as “smart and funny- an all-American good guy.” The couple married in 1977.
With 80’s style and glamourous signature blonde updo, Ivana became an icon of her own. The Trumps also became business partners, with Ivana managing one of his Atlantic casinos. She was also a significant helper in making the Trump Tower in the 80s.
The couple was a public figure before their messy and public divorce in 1992. With rape allegations from Ivana, she later stated she didn’t mean it literally but felt violated.
Ivana’s death comes at a difficult time for the Trump family. Her two children, Ivanka and Donald Jr., and her ex-husband Donald are due for questioning in the New York attorney general’s civil investigation into the family’s business.
Her death came during a fraught week for the Trump family. Two of her children, Donald Jr. and Ivanka, and the former President are due to appear in the coming days for questioning in the New York attorney general’s civil investigation into the family’s business practices.
Ivana marries four times, most recently to Italian actor Rossano Rubicondi. They divorced in 2009 but continued to see each other till 2019. Rubicondi died in 2021 of cancer at 49.
Read also: Rishi Sunak Leads the Race for UK PM