Wife, mother, businesswoman, and fashion icon - the life of Ivana Trump

  • Ivana Trump was best-known for her marriage to business tycoon Donald Trump - but there was so much more to the model than her ex-husband. The small-town Czech girl made it as a model before conquering the world of business and her iconic beehive look even served as the inspiration for sitcom character Patsy Stone in 'Absolutely Fabulous'. Ivana died on Thursday, July 14 at the age of 73 after suffering a suspected heart attack but here, we take a look at her life and the legacy she left behind.
    1/11

    Goodbye, Ivana

    Ivana Trump was best-known for her marriage to business tycoon Donald Trump - but there was so much more to the model than her ex-husband. The small-town Czech girl made it as a model before conquering the world of business and her iconic beehive look even served as the inspiration for sitcom character Patsy Stone in 'Absolutely Fabulous'. Ivana died on Thursday, July 14 at the age of 73 after suffering a suspected heart attack but here, we take a look at her life and the legacy she left behind.
  • Ivana Zelnickova was born on February 20, 1949 in Czechoslovakia to an electrical engineer father and a telephone operator mother. Before leaving home for Prague to earn a Master's Degree in physical education, Ivana had appeared on children's television and had even ventured into the world of skiing. Still, it was just the start of her incredible journey...
    2/11

    Born in the Czech Republic...

    Ivana Zelnickova was born on February 20, 1949 in Czechoslovakia to an electrical engineer father and a telephone operator mother. Before leaving home for Prague to earn a Master's Degree in physical education, Ivana had appeared on children's television and had even ventured into the world of skiing. Still, it was just the start of her incredible journey...
  • Ivana married her friend and ski instructor Alfred Winklmayr in 1971 in order to gain Austrian citizenship. She went with him to Los Angeles the following year, before they got divorced. As it would turn out, Ivana's love life was to become a constant source of speculation and interest.
    3/11

    Immigration to Canada after tragedy

    Ivana married her friend and ski instructor Alfred Winklmayr in 1971 in order to gain Austrian citizenship. She went with him to Los Angeles the following year, before they got divorced. As it would turn out, Ivana's love life was to become a constant source of speculation and interest.
  • After moving to Canada, Ivana became a model and was soon posing for the pages of local magazines. However, she insisted: "Modelling is a job to me, not a career!" Despite this, it was her modelling career that led her to meet future husband Donald Trump in the 1970s.
    4/11

    Becomimg a model

    After moving to Canada, Ivana became a model and was soon posing for the pages of local magazines. However, she insisted: "Modelling is a job to me, not a career!" Despite this, it was her modelling career that led her to meet future husband Donald Trump in the 1970s.
  • Ivana is undoubtedly best-known for marrying billionaire business tycoon Donald Trump in 1977. However, over Christmas in 1989, Ivana learned of Donald's mistress Marla Maples and the couple began lengthy divorce proceedings. Ivana later said: "This young blonde woman approached me out of the blue and said 'I'm Marla and I love your husband. Do you?'"
    5/11

    Marriage to Donald Trump

    Ivana is undoubtedly best-known for marrying billionaire business tycoon Donald Trump in 1977. However, over Christmas in 1989, Ivana learned of Donald's mistress Marla Maples and the couple began lengthy divorce proceedings. Ivana later said: "This young blonde woman approached me out of the blue and said 'I'm Marla and I love your husband. Do you?'"
  • Despite making the decision to separate in 1989, the divorce of Donald and Ivana Trump was not finalised until 1992, with Ivana taking full custody of their children. At the time of their divorce, Donald had a reported net worth of $200 million (almost $420 milion in 2022). And while Ivana was said to be entitled to $25 million, she eventually walked away with $14 million, a 45-room Connecticut mansion, an apartment in the Trump Plaza, and the use of Mar-a-Lago for one month a year.
    6/11

    A costly divorce

    Despite making the decision to separate in 1989, the divorce of Donald and Ivana Trump was not finalised until 1992, with Ivana taking full custody of their children. At the time of their divorce, Donald had a reported net worth of $200 million (almost $420 milion in 2022). And while Ivana was said to be entitled to $25 million, she eventually walked away with $14 million, a 45-room Connecticut mansion, an apartment in the Trump Plaza, and the use of Mar-a-Lago for one month a year.
  • Soon after the divorce, Ivana developed lines of clothing, jewellery and beauty products, which were sold on television shopping channels. The products made her "tens of millions" of dollars. However, she later admitted in her memoir 'Raising Trump' that it "wasn’t easy to raise three kids as a full-time working mother".
    7/11

    Boucning back...

    Soon after the divorce, Ivana developed lines of clothing, jewellery and beauty products, which were sold on television shopping channels. The products made her "tens of millions" of dollars. However, she later admitted in her memoir 'Raising Trump' that it "wasn’t easy to raise three kids as a full-time working mother".
  • Just three years after finalising her divorce from Donald Trump, Ivana married businessman Riccardo Mazzucchelli in November 1995. The marriage lasted two years and she filed $15 million breach of contract suit against Mazzucchelli for violating the confidentiality clause in their prenuptial agreement. Following the divorce, Ivana started a relationship with Italian aristocrat Count Roffredo Gaetani dell'Aquila d'Aragona Lovatelli and she remained with him until he died in 2005.
    8/11

    Marriage to Riccardo Mazzucchelli

    Just three years after finalising her divorce from Donald Trump, Ivana married businessman Riccardo Mazzucchelli in November 1995. The marriage lasted two years and she filed $15 million breach of contract suit against Mazzucchelli for violating the confidentiality clause in their prenuptial agreement. Following the divorce, Ivana started a relationship with Italian aristocrat Count Roffredo Gaetani dell'Aquila d'Aragona Lovatelli and she remained with him until he died in 2005.
  • In 2008, Ivana married for the final time, to model Rossano Rubicondi, who was 23 years her junior. The ceremony was hosted by her ex-husband Donald Trunp, while their daughter Ivanka served as the maid of honour. The marriage lasted less than a year and the pair divorced, only to endure years of an on-off relationship before "calling it quits" officially in 2019.
    9/11

    Final marriage to Rossano Rubicondi

    In 2008, Ivana married for the final time, to model Rossano Rubicondi, who was 23 years her junior. The ceremony was hosted by her ex-husband Donald Trunp, while their daughter Ivanka served as the maid of honour. The marriage lasted less than a year and the pair divorced, only to endure years of an on-off relationship before "calling it quits" officially in 2019.
  • In 2016, Donald Trump battled Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton for the title of President of the United States. He eventually won and served as the leader of the country until 2021. Prior to the election, Ivana said: "I think he’s going to win. Yes, of course I’m going to vote for him. He’s going to run the country as a business. He’s going to negotiate. And he knows how to make decisions!"
    10/11

    Ivana predicted Donald would become President

    In 2016, Donald Trump battled Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton for the title of President of the United States. He eventually won and served as the leader of the country until 2021. Prior to the election, Ivana said: "I think he’s going to win. Yes, of course I’m going to vote for him. He’s going to run the country as a business. He’s going to negotiate. And he knows how to make decisions!"
  • Ivana was found dead at her at her home on New York City's Upper East Side. Donald immediately took to social media to hail his first wife as a “beautiful and amazing” woman who led a “great and inspirational” life. He wrote on Truth: "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!"
    11/11

    Goodbye, Ivana

    Ivana was found dead at her at her home on New York City's Upper East Side. Donald immediately took to social media to hail his first wife as a “beautiful and amazing” woman who led a “great and inspirational” life. He wrote on Truth: "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!"
Ivana Trump was best-known for her marriage to business tycoon Donald Trump - but there was so much more to the model than her ex-husband. The small-town Czech girl made it as a model before conquering the world of business and her iconic beehive look even served as the inspiration for sitcom character Patsy Stone in 'Absolutely Fabulous'. Ivana died on Thursday, July 14 at the age of 73 after suffering a suspected heart attack but here, we take a look at her life and the legacy she left behind.
Ivana Zelnickova was born on February 20, 1949 in Czechoslovakia to an electrical engineer father and a telephone operator mother. Before leaving home for Prague to earn a Master's Degree in physical education, Ivana had appeared on children's television and had even ventured into the world of skiing. Still, it was just the start of her incredible journey...
Ivana married her friend and ski instructor Alfred Winklmayr in 1971 in order to gain Austrian citizenship. She went with him to Los Angeles the following year, before they got divorced. As it would turn out, Ivana's love life was to become a constant source of speculation and interest.
After moving to Canada, Ivana became a model and was soon posing for the pages of local magazines. However, she insisted: "Modelling is a job to me, not a career!" Despite this, it was her modelling career that led her to meet future husband Donald Trump in the 1970s.
Ivana is undoubtedly best-known for marrying billionaire business tycoon Donald Trump in 1977. However, over Christmas in 1989, Ivana learned of Donald's mistress Marla Maples and the couple began lengthy divorce proceedings. Ivana later said: "This young blonde woman approached me out of the blue and said 'I'm Marla and I love your husband. Do you?'"
Despite making the decision to separate in 1989, the divorce of Donald and Ivana Trump was not finalised until 1992, with Ivana taking full custody of their children. At the time of their divorce, Donald had a reported net worth of $200 million (almost $420 milion in 2022). And while Ivana was said to be entitled to $25 million, she eventually walked away with $14 million, a 45-room Connecticut mansion, an apartment in the Trump Plaza, and the use of Mar-a-Lago for one month a year.
Soon after the divorce, Ivana developed lines of clothing, jewellery and beauty products, which were sold on television shopping channels. The products made her "tens of millions" of dollars. However, she later admitted in her memoir 'Raising Trump' that it "wasn’t easy to raise three kids as a full-time working mother".
Just three years after finalising her divorce from Donald Trump, Ivana married businessman Riccardo Mazzucchelli in November 1995. The marriage lasted two years and she filed $15 million breach of contract suit against Mazzucchelli for violating the confidentiality clause in their prenuptial agreement. Following the divorce, Ivana started a relationship with Italian aristocrat Count Roffredo Gaetani dell'Aquila d'Aragona Lovatelli and she remained with him until he died in 2005.
In 2008, Ivana married for the final time, to model Rossano Rubicondi, who was 23 years her junior. The ceremony was hosted by her ex-husband Donald Trunp, while their daughter Ivanka served as the maid of honour. The marriage lasted less than a year and the pair divorced, only to endure years of an on-off relationship before "calling it quits" officially in 2019.
In 2016, Donald Trump battled Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton for the title of President of the United States. He eventually won and served as the leader of the country until 2021. Prior to the election, Ivana said: "I think he’s going to win. Yes, of course I’m going to vote for him. He’s going to run the country as a business. He’s going to negotiate. And he knows how to make decisions!"
Ivana was found dead at her at her home on New York City's Upper East Side. Donald immediately took to social media to hail his first wife as a “beautiful and amazing” woman who led a “great and inspirational” life. He wrote on Truth: "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!"

Ivana Trump was best-known for her marriage to business tycoon Donald Trump - but there was so much more to the model than her ex-husband. The small-town Czech girl made it as a model before conquering the world of business and her iconic beehive look even served as the inspiration for sitcom character Patsy Stone in 'Absolutely Fabulous'. Ivana died on Thursday, July 14 at the age of 73 after suffering a suspected heart attack but here, we take a look at her life and the legacy she left behind.

Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. In order to improve our community experience, we are temporarily suspending article commenting

Latest stories

  • This 'skin cure' avocado clay mask has nearly 7k glowing reviews on Amazon

    This avocado clay mask might just be one of Amazon's best-kept beauty secrets! It's been branded as a "skin cure" and a "must try" and has nearly 7,000 glowing reviews. With all this in mind, we're adding it to our baskets ASAP. Suitable for all skin types, the Plantifique Avocado Clay Mask is sure to work wonders. Reduced to £16.10 in the sale, it's 100% vegan and cruelty-free, not to mention organic. RELATED: Jennifer Aniston swears by this £14 skincare saviour for blemish-free skin Plantifiqu

  • Nicki Minaj criticises Kevin Federline over his feud with ex-wife Britney Spears: ‘A clown’

    ‘Only cowards use the media against a famous person who they once loved,’ rapper says

  • Gemma Owen on Love Island rumours: 'That's not true'

    Gemma Owen from Love Island has opened up about moving in with Luca Bish and what she thinks of fellow contestants shading each other on social media.

  • WWE star Sasha Banks' car broken into in broad daylight

    WWE and 'Mandalorian' star Sasha banks reveals her car was broken into during the day on Tuesday (16.08.22) when she parked it for five minutes.

  • Strictly's Tess Daly has legs for DAYS in denim shorts as she poses on family holiday

    Tess Daly is counting down the weeks until the return of Strictly Come Dancing. MORE: Tess Daly sends flirty message to husband Vernon Kay With all the celebrities now confirmed, the wait is on until the launch show, which will take place at the start of September. WATCH: Tess Daly beams as she models her latest beachwear In the meantime, however, Tess is making the most of the summer break. READ: Strictly's Tess Daly surprises with baby photo as she makes family announcement MORE: Tess Daly stu

  • Adele breaks silence on huge diamond engagement ring from Rich Paul

    Adele has sparked a fan frenzy several times since confirming her relationship with Rich Paul by stepping out with a gold band and a huge diamond rock. RELATED: Adele fans left wondering about baby number two as her boyfriend reveals hopes of having another child While she has previously been quiet on the subject of marriage, the Someone Like You singer - who is ELLE's September 2022 cover star - opened up about rumours that she is engaged to Rich, gushing about her partner and telling the publi

  • Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook and Damon Herriman join The Bikeriders cast

    Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook and Damon Herriman have joined the cast of 'The Bikeriders', with Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy already on board for the film.

  • Madonna celebrates son Rocco's birthday with rare family photos

    Madonna was one proud parent over the weekend as she celebrated her oldest son Rocco's birthday. MORE: Madonna's son dances in a dress in fun video at home The Vogue hitmaker took to Instagram to share a series of photos of herself with the birthday boy as they went out for a luxury dinner. Madonna was all smiles as she sat next to Rocco - who is his dad Guy Richie's double! In the caption, the mother-of-six wrote: "From one Leo to another!! Happy birthday Rocco." VIDEO: Madonna's teenage son Da

  • Dwayne Johnson fought for Black Adam to get standalone movie

    Dwayne Johnson fought for his comic book character Black Adam to have his own origin movie instead of making his introduction in Shazam! The action man originally signed on to star as Black Adam alongside Zachary Levi as the titular superhero in Shazam!, which began development in 2014. However, when he got the script, Johnson realised introducing both characters in the same film would do his supervillain "an incredible disservice". "When the first draft of the movie came to us, it was a combina

  • House prices fall by nearly £5,000 as value drops for first time this year, Rightmove says

    The property website said it still expects house prices to end the year 7 per cent higher than in 2021

  • Carrie Ann Inaba pays emotional tribute to former DWTS contestant Anne Heche

    Carrie Ann Inaba has been one of the many stars to pay tribute to Anne Heche following her horrific car crash in LA. MORE: Anne Heche in critical condition following explosive and shocking car crash in Los Angeles Anne was declared "brain dead" by doctors last week aged just 53. The actress and ex-girlfriend of Ellen DeGeneres was a former contestant on Dancing with the Stars, and as a result Carrie knew her personally. VIDEO: A look back at Anne Heche in Chicago PD The dance judge wrote a lengt

  • A$AP Rocky has pleaded not guilty in connection with alleged shooting charges

    ASAP Rocky pleads not guilty to charges in connection to alleged shooting, which is said to have taken place in November 2021.

  • James and Ola Jordan reveal first reactions to Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line-up

    Former Strictly Come Dancing pros James and Ola Jordan have opened up about the 2022 line-up ahead of their upcoming Strictly column for HELLO!, where they give their expertise on the routines on the show. So what do they think of the line-up so far? Find out here… MORE: Strictly Come Dancing 2022's full 2022 line-up Chatting to HELLO!, Ola said: "I think the contestants look good. They all look young and fit enough. A lot of them would probably have a background in dancing, like the actors or s

  • Fans claim Kim Kardashian’s daughter Chicago looked ‘scared’ in video as North shushed screaming fans

    ‘Seems like she’s still so young, she doesn’t really understand what’s going on,’ says one fan

  • Without Warning and Only Sometimes: Scenes from an Unpredictable Childhood by Kit de Waal – review

    The My Name Is Leon author’s evocative memoir of growing up in 1960s Moseley perfectly captures the dreams and reality of migration to postwar Birmingham

  • Goldie Hawn gushes over son Oliver Hudson and granddaughter in rare photo

    There is nothing Goldie Hawn enjoys more than getting the chance to fawn over her grandkids, whether they're her daughter Kate Hudson's or from sons Oliver Hudson or Wyatt Russell. MORE: Oliver Hudson's battle with anxiety and what he's said The actress got the chance to adore her young nine-year-old granddaughter Rio through a photograph that clearly affected dad Oliver deeply. VIDEO: Goldie Hawn's grandchildren The Nashville star posted the lovely capture of himself lying in bed with his daugh

  • Prince William and Duchess Kate's luxurious family home they're moving away from – inside

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are relocating to Windsor with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and will be saying a fond farewell to their family home, Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace. MORE: What Prince William and Kate's move to Windsor means for the royals Their new home, Adelaide Cottage, is significantly smaller in comparison to their current residence, which underwent significant renovations prior to the family moving in. However, it is likely the Cam

  • Meghan Markle's iconic Victoria Beckham bag is back - and it costs a lot less

    The Duchess of Sussex has an incredible fleet of handbags - from Mulberry to Chloe - and we love seeing what arm candy she will carry next. READ: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to return to the UK: details One of her most memorable handbag moments was on Christmas Day 2018, when Prince Harry's wife attended church; wearing top-to-toe Victoria Beckham. As much as we loved her entire ensemble, it was her bag that really caught our eye. WATCH: Harry And Meghan: UK to the West Coast Known as the 'Po

  • The royal family's A-Level results revealed - see which grades they achieved

    Thousands of students around the UK are receiving their A-Level results on Thursday, including the Earl and Countess of Wessex's daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, who has just completed her A-Levels. READ: Where the royals were educated - from Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle to the Queen In honour of the occasion, we're taking a look back at the qualifications the royal family managed to secure during their education - and some of them are quite surprising! WATCH: Royals' first day at school Despi

  • Alexandra Breckenridge shares setback with fans as she films new season of Virgin River

    Virgin River actress Alexandra Breckenridge has revealed a setback she recently faced while filming the fifth season of the Netflix show. MORE: Virgin River star teases 'unexpected' twist in season five The star, who plays Melinda Monroe in the drama, revealed she had returned to her accommodation after a long day of filming only to be met with no running water. WATCH: Alexandra Breckenridge pleads with fans on social media Speaking directly to her followers on her Instagram Stories, she said: "