Ivana Trump, Donald’s Trump first wife and mother of three of his children, died aged 73.
“She was a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life,” Mr Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social.
Police responded to a call from a man in cardiac arrest at 10 East 64th Street on the Upper East Side at 12:40 p.m., and police sources said Ivana Trump was found unconscious and unresponsive at the bottom of a set of stairs.
Sources said the police are probing whether she had fallen and whether she died due to the fall. The New York City Medical Examiner’s office will investigate the cause and manner of death.
The Trump family released a statement confirming her death.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Ivana Trump,” it read. “Our mother was an incredible woman – a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and a 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, three children and ten grandchildren.”
Ivana Trump’s daughter Ivanka took to Twitter and said she was “Heartbroken by the passing of my mother. Mom was brilliant, charming, passionate and wickedly funny. She lived life to the fullest – never forgoing an opportunity to laugh and dance.”
Ivana Trump married Donald Trump in 1977, and although at times she appeared to be overseeing her celebrity husband, she was one-half of the power couple of the 1980s, serving as vice president of interior design at the Trump Organization serving on their behalf.
She also managed the Plaza Hotel, one of the family’s top properties.
“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 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 proud of her. Rest In Peace, Ivana!”
Ivana Trump married four times, once before Donald and twice after.
After the divorce, she developed her lines of clothing, jewellery, and beauty products. She was the author of several books, the latest being called “Raising Trump”, and has also written an advice column.