Staff Reporter.
(Reuters) – Donald Trump’s first wife Ivana Trump, 73, has died, the former US president said on Thursday.
“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 post on the social medial platform Truth Social.
The couple married in 1977 and divorced in 1992. They had three children together: Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric.
“Ivana Trump was a survivor. She fled from communism and embraced this country. She taught her children about grit and toughness, compassion and determination,” the Trump family said in a statement quoted by ABC News. She grew up under Communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia.
Neither the Trump family statement nor the post from the former president mentioned the cause of her death.
Trump, 76, said that Ivana Trump “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!” he added.
Their first child, Donald Jr., was born later that year. Ivanka was born in 1981 and Eric followed in 1984.
Eric Trump posted a tribute to his mother, who was also an accomplished skier during her childhood in Eastern Europe, on Instagram Thursday.
“Our mother was an incredible woman — a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and caring mother and friend,” the post said.
“She will be dearly missed by her mother, her three children and ten grandchildren,” he added.