Losing someone unexpectedly is always heartbreaking, but when it happens at home in what should be a safe place, it feels even more tragic. That’s exactly what happened to Ivana Trump, Donald Trump’s first wife and mother to three of his children. While many knew her as just “Trump’s ex-wife,” Ivana was actually an extraordinary person in her own right – a businesswoman, athlete, author, and fashion designer who helped build an empire before her life was cut short in a shocking accident at age 73.
She fell down the stairs in her luxury Manhattan home
On July 14, 2022, Ivana Trump was found at the bottom of a staircase in her Upper East Side townhouse in New York City. According to the medical examiner’s report, she died from “blunt impact injuries to the torso” that happened during the fall. The New York Police Department confirmed there was no sign of foul play or criminality involved in her death. This unexpected accident shocked everyone who knew her, especially since Ivana was known for being active and vibrant even in her seventies. The townhouse where the tragedy occurred was a six-story residence that she had lived in for many years.
What makes this even more sad is that Ivana’s home – the place where this horrible accident happened – still sits on the market today, almost two years after her death. The Manhattan townhouse was initially listed for $26.5 million but has seen several price drops and is now available for $19.5 million. The home itself is every bit as glamorous as you’d expect – featuring five bedrooms, silk wallpaper, crystal chandeliers, and a gold-embossed fireplace. The main bedroom takes up an entire floor and even has its own private terrace, making it a truly luxurious property despite its tragic history.
She was much more than just Donald Trump’s ex-wife
While many headlines about Ivana focus on her relationship with the former president, she deserves to be remembered for her own impressive accomplishments. Born in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) under communist rule, Ivana showed incredible drive from a young age. She was a skilled competitive skier who nearly made it to the Olympic level. After leaving her homeland, she built an entirely new life in America, eventually becoming a successful businesswoman in her own right. During her marriage to Donald Trump, Ivana wasn’t just arm candy – she was a key executive in the Trump Organization, serving as the vice president of interior design and later as CEO and president of Trump’s Castle casino resort.
After their highly publicized divorce in 1990 (which happened after Donald’s affair with Marla Maples came to light), Ivana didn’t just fade into the background. Instead, she launched her own business ventures, including clothing lines, jewelry collections, and beauty products that sold successfully around the world. She also became an author, writing several books including an autobiography titled “Raising Trump” about her experiences as a mother. Ivana even had a famous cameo in the 1996 movie “The First Wives Club” where she delivered the iconic line: “Don’t get mad, get everything!” – advice that seemingly reflected her approach to her own divorce settlement.
Her children were devastated by her sudden passing
The sudden loss of their mother hit Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric Trump extremely hard. All three children were very close to Ivana, who prided herself on raising them with strong values despite their privileged upbringing. At her funeral, which was held in New York City on July 20, 2022, each of her children delivered heartfelt eulogies that painted a picture of a devoted mother who shaped their lives in profound ways. Ivanka described her mother as “brilliant, charming, passionate, and wickedly funny” and credited her with showing that “a woman could do anything she wanted.” Donald Jr. remembered his mother as “fearless and independent” – qualities that had defined her throughout her remarkable life.
The depth of their grief was clear in the statement released by the Trump family after Ivana’s death, which described her as “an incredible woman – a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and a caring mother and friend.” Despite the very public divorce and sometimes messy headlines about their family over the years, it’s clear that Ivana maintained close relationships with her children until the end. In fact, when Ivana passed away, she left behind an estate valued at approximately $34 million, with the majority of her assets to be divided among her three children – a final act of love from a mother who had always put her children first.
She maintained a surprisingly friendly relationship with her ex
One of the most surprising aspects of Ivana’s story is how she managed to maintain a cordial relationship with Donald Trump despite their messy divorce. After the initial bitterness of their split in the early 1990s, the two eventually developed a friendly rapport over the years, largely for the sake of their children. By the time Donald ran for president, Ivana was actually publicly supportive of his campaign, though she reportedly later expressed that she wanted “the whole thing to be over with” after his loss to Joe Biden. Their ability to move past their difficult history speaks volumes about Ivana’s character and her commitment to family above all else.
Former President Trump’s tribute to Ivana after her death reflected their complicated but ultimately respectful relationship. He called her “a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life.” This sentiment was echoed by many who knew the pair during their marriage, when they were considered one of New York’s ultimate power couples in the 1980s. Despite the painful end to their marriage, they had managed to forge a new type of relationship built on their shared history and love for their children. The fact that Ivana was buried at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, further suggests a lasting connection between the former spouses that transcended their divorce.
She escaped communism and embraced the American dream
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Ivana’s life story was her journey from communist Czechoslovakia to the pinnacle of American success. Born in 1949, she grew up under oppressive Soviet rule, where opportunities were limited and freedom was restricted. Her first marriage to Austrian skier Alfred Winklmayr was actually an arrangement to obtain Austrian citizenship – a strategic move that allowed her to leave the Eastern Bloc without defecting. This showed Ivana’s determination and resourcefulness from an early age. After making her way to Canada and then the United States, she embraced her new home with characteristic enthusiasm, building a life that embodied the American dream.
Ivana’s rise from immigrant to business executive and socialite makes her story truly exceptional. She never forgot where she came from, reportedly maintaining her Czech accent throughout her life as a reminder of her roots. Friends described her as a “survivor” who used her experiences growing up under communism to fuel her ambition and work ethic in America. She was proud of her journey and the opportunities America had provided her. This background also informed her parenting style – she was known to be strict with her children despite their wealthy upbringing, wanting them to develop the same resilience and drive that had served her so well in her own life.
She rebuilt her identity after her high-profile divorce
When Ivana and Donald Trump’s marriage ended in 1990, their divorce was front-page news and tabloid fodder for months. The split was especially painful because it involved Donald’s affair with Marla Maples, who would become his second wife. At the time, many wondered if Ivana would forever be defined by this public humiliation and her status as “the ex.” But Ivana proved everyone wrong by reinventing herself completely. She embraced the title of “First Wife” with humor and used her newfound independence to build her own brand. Rather than fading into obscurity or being forever bitter, she channeled her energy into new ventures and created a life on her own terms.
After her divorce from Donald Trump, Ivana went on to marry and divorce two more times – to businessman Riccardo Mazzucchelli in 1995 (divorced 1997) and to model Rossano Rubicondi in 2008 (divorced 2009). These relationships showed that Ivana remained romantic and optimistic despite past heartbreaks. Throughout these years, she maintained her public profile, appearing on reality TV shows and building her business empire. She wrote an advice column called “Ask Ivana” and published books with titles like “The Best Is Yet to Come: Coping With Divorce and Enjoying Life Again.” Her resilience in the face of public scrutiny made her a role model for many women going through similar experiences.
Her death came just before a critical legal moment
In a strange twist of timing, Ivana Trump died just one day before she and her children were scheduled to be questioned in a New York civil investigation into the Trump family’s business dealings. This investigation, led by the New York state attorney general’s office, was looking into allegations that the Trump Organization had misrepresented property values for tax and insurance purposes. After Ivana’s death, the depositions for Donald Trump, Donald Jr., and Ivanka were postponed out of respect for the family’s loss. While there’s absolutely no suggestion that these events were connected, the timing added another layer of complexity to an already difficult situation for the family.
The postponement of these depositions highlighted how Ivana’s death impacted not just her family’s personal lives but also their business and legal affairs. It’s a reminder of how interconnected the Trump family remained even years after Ivana and Donald’s divorce. Despite no longer being legally tied to the Trump Organization, Ivana’s passing still affected its operations in this moment of legal scrutiny. This intersection of personal tragedy and public legal proceedings underscores the unique position that Ivana occupied – still connected to the Trump legacy even as she had built her own independent identity and success over the decades since her divorce.
Her final resting place connects her forever to the Trump name
After a funeral service at St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church in New York City, Ivana Trump was laid to rest at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. This choice of burial location is interesting because it permanently connects Ivana to the Trump family legacy, despite their divorce decades earlier. The private plot on the grounds of the golf club ensures that Ivana will remain part of the Trump family story forever. While some found this choice unusual, others saw it as a fitting tribute to a woman who had played such a pivotal role in building the Trump empire and raising the next generation of Trumps.
Ivana’s burial at a Trump property reflects the complex relationship she maintained with her ex-husband and his business interests throughout her life. Even after their divorce, she remained proud of her contributions to the Trump Organization and her role in raising their three children to take leadership positions within the company. The choice of burial site suggests that despite all the drama and heartbreak of their split, both Donald and Ivana recognized the permanent bond they shared through their children and their shared history. In death as in life, Ivana Trump’s identity remained intertwined with the family name that she had helped make famous around the world.
Ivana Trump’s life was extraordinary by any measure – from escaping communism to reaching the heights of New York society, from building businesses to raising successful children. Her sudden, accidental death at 73 cut short a life still being lived to the fullest. Though she’s often remembered primarily through her connection to Donald Trump, her own accomplishments and remarkable personal journey deserve recognition. Her legacy lives on not just through her children, but through the example she set of resilience, reinvention, and refusing to be defined by others.
