Many were caught off guard when news emerged that former President Donald Trump’s first wife, Ivana Trump, had died at an age of 73 in her New York City apartment on July 14. Ivana has left behind three children — Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump.

One of the most integral officials of The Trump Organization, Ivana held a number of positions in the company. However, she was often overshadowed by her ex-husband, Donald, who rose to become the US President. The Czech-American businesswoman was one of the most successful women of her generation in the West, but often found herself at the centre of unfounded controversies.

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Born on February 20, 1949 in the erstwhile city of Gottwaldov in Czechoslovakia, she moved to Canada in the 1970s. Her father worked as an electrical engineer while her mother was a telephone operator. While growing up, Ivana developed skiing skills and joined the junior national ski team in Czechoslovakia. She later studied at the Charles University in Prague, Hungary and earned a master’s degree in 1972.

Following her move to Canda, she worked as ski instructor and lived in Montreal for two years. She later went on to work as a model and did promotional work for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

She met Donald Trump in 1976 and married him on April 7, 1977. The pair went on to work on several big projects together, including the Trump Tower in Manhattan, the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City.

She had three children with Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump. Ivana later divorced him in 1992.

“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,” Donald Trump said in a statement following her death. 

“She was a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life,” he added.

“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!” he continued.

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After her divorce with Donald Trump, Ivana was married twice, to Riccardo Mazzucchelli and Rossano Rubicondi respectively. However, both courtships ended in divorce.

She pursued a number of business ventures since the turn of the century, majority of which did not end well. She settled as one of the most influential officials at The Trump Organization, where she worked till her death.

Ivana was also an accomplished author and published several books during her lifetime. Her notable works include For Love Alone (1992), Free To Love (1993), Raising Trump (2017).