Who was Donald Trump’s first wife, Ivana Trump?
FORMER President Donald Trump's wife, Ivana, reportedly died at her New York City home on July 14, 2022.
Ivana was a leading figure in the 1980s and worked on several real estate projects with her husband and the pair built a family together before carrying out a very public divorce.
Who was Ivana Trump?
A former model, Ivana Trump, was 73 years old when she passed away.
Ivana was born Ivana Marie Zelníčková and was raised under Communist rule in what was then known as Czechoslovakia.
She left the country in 1970 and married former President Donald Trump seven years later.
The pair became known as a power couple in the 1980s as Ivana helped Trump pursue his business endeavours including the development of Trump Tower in Manhattan and the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
She became the vice president of her ex-husband's interior design company, the Trump Organization, and managed the Plaza Hotel.
She promoted her clothing, jewellery, and beauty lines on the Home Shopping Network and authored several books including The Best Is Yet to Come: Coping with Divorce and Enjoying Life Again, and her 2017 memoir, Raising Trump.
When was she married to Donald Trump?
Ivana met Donald Trump in 1976 while working at a reception that Trump was attending in New York.
After only nine months, they got married and had three children together: Donald Trump Jr, 44, Ivanka Trump, 40, and Eric Trump, 38.
MOST READ IN NEWS
They were married until 1990 when their relationship ended in a very public divorce after allegations arose that Trump had cheated on Ivana with Marla Maples, who he later married.
During Trump's run for president in 2015, an accusation that he had abused Ivana during their marriage came to light, an allegation that Ivana vehemently denied when it resurfaced.
“I have recently read some comments attributed to me from nearly 30 years ago at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald,” she told in 2015.
“The story is totally without merit. Donald and I are the best of friends and together have raised three children that we love and are very proud of. I have nothing but fondness for Donald and wish him the best of luck on his campaign.
"Incidentally, I think he would make an incredible president.”
However, when Trump ran for a second presidential term in 2020, Ivana said she was glad when it ended.
She told that she wanted her children's lives to resume some semblance of normalcy, worrying about their happiness and wellbeing.
“I just want this whole thing to be over with, one way or the other,” she said at the time. “I really don’t care.”
She added that she just wanted them “to be able to live their normal lives—normal lives. Not the Washington life and all that, just in New York or wherever they’re going to be and just live their normal lives.
"I think they enjoyed being around Donald and running the election and seeing what will happen, but now it is—thank god—over.”
How did Ivana Trump die?
Former President Donald Trump announced his ex-wife has passed away via his social media platform Truth Social.
"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," he .
"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!"
Paramedics responded to a call for cardiac arrest and arrived at Ivana's residence at about 12.30pm on July 14.
The Trump family put out a statement following the news of her passing and said: "Our mother was an incredible woman -- a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and caring mother and friend."
They continued: "Ivana Trump was 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 ten grandchildren."