Ivana Trump: First wife of former President Donald Trump dies

Ivana Trump at the Plaza Hotel on June 13, 2018, in New York. Donald Trump's first wife has died in New York City, the former president announced on social media on Thursday.
Ivana Trump at the Plaza Hotel on June 13, 2018, in New York. Donald Trump's first wife has died in New York City, the former president announced on social media on Thursday. Copyright Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File
By AP
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The Trumps were a publicity power couple in New York in the 1980s and 1990s before their equally public and messy divorce.

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Ivana Trump, the first wife of Donald Trump, has died in New York City, the former president announced on social media Thursday.

“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 posted 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!”

The Trump family also released a statement. "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.

“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 Czech-born ski racer and sometime model, Ivana Trump married the future president in 1977.

The Trumps were a publicity power couple in New York in the 1980s and 1990s before their equally public, and messy, divorce after Donald Trump met his next wife, Marla Maples. 

Ivana became an icon in her own right, dripping with ’80s style and elegance, complete with accent and her signature beehive hairdo. She would eventually appear in the 1996 hit film “The First Wives Club” with the now-famous line, “Ladies, you have to be strong and independent, and remember, don’t get mad, get everything.”

Ivana Trump ultimately remained friendly with her ex-husband, whom she famously called “The Donald.” She enthusiastically backed his 2016 White House, describing herself as both a supporter and an adviser.

She wrote in a 2017 book that they spoke about once a week.

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