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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Elly Blake

Donald Trump’s first wife Ivana Trump has died age 73

Ivana Trump, first wife of former president Donald Trump, has died age 73, he announced on social media.

In a post on the social media platform, Truth Social, Mr Trump said: “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.”

The couple married in 1977 and divorced 15 years later in 1992.

During their relationship they had three children together, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, who Mr Trump said were her “pride and joy”.

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

A separate statement from the family said: “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. 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.”

Ms Trump was born Ivana Marie Zelníčková on February 20, 1949.

She grew up under communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia, before leaving in the 1970s.

Ms Trump was a businesswoman, fashion designer and model, as well as author of a number of bestselling books including her 2017 memoir Raising Trump.

For years she worked as a senior executive in Trump’s business empire and was appointed chief executive of Trump’s Castle in Atlantic City.

She also designed interiors for the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Trump Tower.

The former US president was her second husband.

Her first husband, Alfred Winklmayr, was an Austrian ski instructor and friend. The pair were married from 1971 to 1973.

She reportedly married Winklmayr in order to obtain Austrian citizenship, allowing her to leave her communist home country without defecting.

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