Ivana Trump passed away on the 14th of July 2022. She was initially known to the world as the first wife of former United States President, Donald Trump and after the couple divorce, she made a name for herself as a successful businesswoman.
Owing to the interest in her story, the world was introduced to her success as a skier, as a model, supporting wife and an independent lady who worked hard to make a name for herself.
Professional Skier
She was a competitive skier for the Czechoslovakian national system and later competed for Charles University in Prague [Singh and Trotta, 2022]. It is here where she completed a master’s degree in physical education.
Modeling Job
In 1975, Ivana told the Montreal Gazette that she considered modeling to be a job, rather than a career [CBC, 2019]. The young Ivana showed a drive that she wanted to achieve greater things in life. It was during her modeling days that faith brought her to Donald Trump.
Marriage to Donald Trump
Before tieing the knot with Donald Trump in 1977, Ivana was married to Alfred Winklmayr. It is her marriage with Donald Trump that caught the public eye.
Donald and Ivana were the glamorous couple of the 1980’s. Vanity Fair describes Ivana Trump as highly competitive and determined to prove her role in her husband’s business [Lefroy, 2022]. They raised three children – Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. Donald and Ivana Trump divorced in 1992. After which, she married Riccardo Mazzucchelli and then, Rossano Rubicondi but decided to keep the Trump surname.
Ivana supported Donald in his business and took up a number of responsibilities in the Trump Organization like Vice President of Interior Design, CEO of Trump Castle Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, President of Plaza Hotel, New York City etc.
Even after their divorce, Trump and Ivana maintained cordial relations and when Trump became President of the United States of America, he invited Ivana to be an Ambassador to her birthplace, Czech Republic (formerly called Czechoslovakia).
Author
Ivana penned four books:
1. “For Love Alone” in 1992.
2. “Free to Love” in 1994.
3. “The Best Is Yet to Come: Coping with Divorce and Enjoying Life Again” in 1995.
4. “Raising Trump: Family Values from America’s First Mother” in 2018.
Businesswoman
Ivana established fashion, jewelry, clothing and beauty businesses. She was a successful businesswoman and her products were sold in plenty through television shopping channels like HSN and QVC UK which made her tens of millions [Jakiel, 2022]. Her business made her to have a good hold in the home shopping industry and as a fashion aficionado, she attended many fashion shows and events over the years.
At the age of 73, Ivana Trump died from suspected cardiac arrest at the bottom of a staircase in her Manhattan home. Donal Trump shared the news of her death on his social network, Truth Social by quoting- “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.” [news.com.au, 2022]
The enduring spirit of Ivana Trump can be remembered through the 1996 hit film, ‘The First Wives Club’, in which she made a cameo appearance by quoting the famous line- “Ladies, you have to be strong and independent, and remember: don’t get mad — get everything!” [Lefroy, 2022]. This line perfectly sums up her life and gives inspiration to not to be let down by circumstances (be it a divorce) and to be like Ivana, strong and independent to make a name for yourself and achieve to your full potential.
By: Kester Pereira
========================================================================
References
========================================================================
CBC (2019): ‘How a move to Canada helped Donald and Ivana Trump meet’ <https://www.cbc.ca/archives/how-a-move-to-canada-helped-donald-and-ivana-trump-meet-1.5006869> (last viewed on 15th July 2022)
Jakiel (2022): ‘Inside the Life of Ivana Trump: Businesswoman, Mother and Fashion Icon’ <https://people.com/politics/inside-the-life-of-ivana-trump-businesswoman-mother-and-fashion-icon/> (last viewed on 15th July 2022)
Lefroy (2022): ‘Why Ivana and Donald Trump were the ultimate 1980s power couple’ <https://nypost.com/2022/07/14/why-ivana-and-donald-trump-were-the-ultimate-1980s-power-couple/> (last viewed on 15th July 2022)
news.com.au (2022): ‘Ivana Trump dead at age 73 from cardiac arrest’ <https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/ivana-trump-dead-at-age-73-from-cardiac-arrest/news-story/a70c7ae679d7d100fecfdd1cdb280da8> (last viewed on 15th July 2022)
Singh and Trotta (2022): ‘Ivana Trump, first wife of Donald Trump who helped build his empire, dies at 73’ <https://www.reuters.com/world/us/ivana-trump-first-wife-donald-trump-dies-73-2022-07-14/> (last viewed on 15th July 2022)
