Ivana Trump, the first wife of former president Donald Trump, has died age 73 after going into cardiac arrest on Thursday, TMZ reports.
“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,” Trump said in a statement shared on Truth Social. “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!”
Ivana and Donald married in 1977, and had three kids together; Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. They Had a very public divorce that was finalized in 1992, and he later married Marla Maples, who was his alleged mistress during his marriage to Ivana.
In more recent years, the former couple were on more amicable terms. While promoting her book in 2018, she defended Trump and said that he’s “definitely not a racist.”
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Ivana Trump. Our mother was an incredible woman—a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and caring mother and friend. Ivana Trump was a survivor,”the Trump children said in a statement. “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.”
Born 1949 in the Czech Republic when it was still Czechoslovakia, Ivana immigrated to Canada in 1971. She later moved to the United States, and met Trump in 1976 while working as a model.
