Ivana Trump

Ivana Trump. A Czech-born businesswoman, socialite, and author, she gained international prominence through her marriage to real estate developer Donald Trump and her subsequent role in his business empire during the 1980s. Known for her glamorous persona and managerial acumen, she oversaw major projects like the renovation of the Grand Hyatt New York and the Plaza Hotel. Her later life included entrepreneurial ventures, philanthropic work, and a continued presence in New York City high society.

Early life and education

Ivana Marie Zelníčková was born in the industrial city of Zlín, then part of Czechoslovakia. Her father, Miloš Zelníček, was an electrical engineer, and her mother, Marie Zelníčková, worked as a telephone operator. Demonstrating athletic prowess from a young age, she was selected for the junior national team for alpine skiing in Czechoslovakia. After attending local schools, she enrolled at Charles University in Prague, where she studied physical education, though she did not complete a degree. During this period, she married Austrian businessman Alfred Winklmayr in 1971, which facilitated her move to Vienna and later to Montreal, where she began working as a model for promotional events.

Business career

Her modeling career in Canada provided an entry into international social circles. After relocating to New York City, she became involved in the operations of the Trump Organization. She was appointed vice president of interior design for the Grand Hyatt New York, a major renovation project overseen by her then-husband. She later played a pivotal role in the acquisition and lavish restoration of the historic Plaza Hotel, serving as its president for several years. Following her divorce, she launched her own fashion lines, including a successful collection of clothing, jewelry, and beauty products marketed on QVC. She also authored several books, including the novel For Love Alone and the self-help guide Raising Trump.

Marriage to Donald Trump

She married real estate scion Donald Trump in 1977 at the Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan. The couple had three children: Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump. Throughout the 1980s, she was a constant fixture in New York City tabloids and society pages, epitomizing the era's opulence. The marriage dissolved publicly in the early 1990s amid allegations of infidelity involving Marla Maples, leading to a highly publicized and contentious divorce settlement. The proceedings were covered extensively by media outlets like the New York Post and became a national spectacle, ultimately being finalized in 1992.

Later life and philanthropy

She maintained a high-profile lifestyle, frequently appearing at events like the Met Gala and being featured in publications such as Vogue. She established the Ivana Trump Foundation, which supported various children's charities and medical causes. She was also a board member for the Museum of Modern Art and supported institutions like the New York City Ballet. Her later romantic life included marriages to Italian businessman Riccardo Mazzucchelli and actor Rossano Rubicondi, the latter celebrated at his family's estate in Frascati. She remained a resident of New York City, with properties on the Upper East Side and in Palm Beach, Florida.

Death and legacy

She died from blunt force injuries sustained in a fall at her home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in July 2022. Her death was investigated by the New York City Police Department and ruled an accident by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Memorials were held at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer in New York City. She is interred at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey. Her legacy is that of a formidable businesswoman who helped shape the aesthetic of key properties in the Trump Organization during its ascendance and as the mother of three of Donald Trump's children, who became prominent figures in American business and politics. Her life story, from Czechoslovakia to the pinnacle of New York City society, was chronicled in numerous biographies and media profiles.

Category:1949 births Category:2022 deaths Category:American businesspeople Category:Czech emigrants to the United States