Ivana Trump, mother of Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, dies at 73
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(NewsNation) — Former model Ivana Trump, the first wife of former President Donald Trump and mother of Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump, has died at 73.
“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,” the former president wrote in a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social. “She was so proud of them, as we were all so proud of her. Rest In Peace, Ivana!”
The New York Fire Department said it responded to a report of a cardiac arrest at 12:49 p.m. ET and found Ivana Trump dead on arrival. She was found “in relation” to a staircase but officials could not say if she fell down the staircase or if it had any relation to her death.
The medical examiner will determine the official cause of her death.
The couple was married from 1977 to 1992 and had three children together, as well as nine grandchildren.
Ivana Trump, a Czech-American former model, worked as a vice president of interior design for The Trump Organization after her marriage to the former president.
The Trump family released a statement, saying their Ivana “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.”
Born Ivana Zelnickova in 1949 in the Czechoslovak city of Gottwaldov, Ivana “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,” Ivana Trump’s family wrote.
The Trumps had a messy and public divorce after Donald Trump met his next wife, Marla Maples. However, the two had been on good terms since then, with Ivana Trump writing in a 2017 book that they spoke about once a week.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 4: Billionaire Donald Trump and his wife Ivana arrive 04 December 1989 at a social engagement in New York. (Photo credit should read SWERZEY/AFP via Getty Images) 
NEW YORK – APRIL 30: (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Ivana Trump attends the AppleCare Gala at Cipriani April 30, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Myrna Suarez/Getty Images). 
BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY – SEPTEMBER 15: (EDITORS NOTE: Retransmission of #455504994 with alternate crop.) (L-R) Donald Trump, Ivana Trump, Eric Trump and Lara Yunaska attend The Eric Trump 8th Annual Golf Tournament at Trump National Golf Club Westchester on September 15, 2014 in Briarcliff Manor, New York. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images) 
NEW YORK – MAY 02: (L-R) Donald Trump, Jr., Ivana Trump and Jason Binn (R) chat during a “Spring Into Summer” cocktail reception hosted by Ivana Trump and Jason Binn, CEO of Niche Media (publisher of ‘Gotham’ and ‘Hamptons’ Magazines) on May 02, 2007 in New York City, USA. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) 
BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY – SEPTEMBER 21: (L-R) Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Ivana Trump, Eric Trump, Lara Trump, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner attend the 9th Annual Eric Trump Foundation Golf Invitational Auction & Dinner at Trump National Golf Club Westchester on September 21, 2015 in Briarcliff Manor, New York. (Photo by Grant Lamos IV/Getty Images) 
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Ivana Trump attends the 2018 Angel Ball at Cipriani, Wall Street on October 22, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images) 
BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY – SEPTEMBER 21: Ivana Trump and Eric Trump attend the 9th Annual Eric Trump Foundation Golf Invitational Auction & Dinner at Trump National Golf Club Westchester on September 21, 2015 in Briarcliff Manor, New York. (Photo by Grant Lamos IV/Getty Images) 
FILE – Ivana Trump poses before the Baby Phat spring 2008 collection is modeled during Fashion Week in New York, on Sept. 7, 2007. Ivana Trump, the first wife of Donald Trump, has died in New York City, the former president announced on social media Thursday, July 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, File)
To the New York Post, Ivana said she was both a “supporter” and “adviser” for Donald Trump’s presidency.
“I suggest a few things,” she told the paper in 2016. “We speak before and after the appearances and he asks me what I thought.”
This story is developing. Refresh for updates.
