Ivana Trump may not have made it to White House as First Lady, but she savored her role as a loving mother to her three children and proudly described raising them without their father’s help.
After Donald took office, and even for years privately, it was Ivana who embraced the children, their success, and their gentle manners.
She fought fiercely for her during her divorce from her father, writing in her memoir that she was the one who raised her — not her father, who “provided for” her, but had no interest until she “broke up business with him.” could talk”.
On Thursday, Eric Trump paid tribute to his mother after her death at the age of 73 and wrote to him Instagram Post: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Ivana Trump.
“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 communism and embraced this country. She taught her children courage and tenacity, compassion and determination.
“She will be greatly missed by her mother, her three children and ten grandchildren.”
Ivana Trump may not have made it to the White House — but she savored her role as a loving mother to her three children and proudly described how she raised them without their father’s help
Ivana Trump with her then-husband Donald and their three children, left and right with Donald and Ivanka as a baby
Ivana and Trump married in 1977. He was her second husband and the only man with whom she had children. The couple welcomed son Donald Trump Jr earlier this year.
“I got sole custody of the kids when I divorced Donald. That was non-negotiable. But even if Donald and I had stayed together, I would have raised the kids. “Donald was the kind of father who was in the office at 6 a.m. “I took the kids to his office after breakfast and they played with the Legos on the floor while Donald was on the phone
Next came golden girl Ivanka in 1980, then Eric in 1984.
She and Donald finalized their divorce in 1999, but she wrote in her memoir that she knew it was over a decade before she noticed another woman.
“This young blonde woman came up to me out of the blue and said, ‘I’m Marla and I love your husband.
“I said, ‘Go away. I love my husband.’ It was unladylike but I was shocked.’
She was, of course, referring to Marla Maples, Trump’s second wife and mother of his fourth child, Tiffany. When her marriage to Donald, then a flashy millionaire, broke up, she fought for custody of their three children.
“I got sole custody of the kids when I divorced Donald. That was non-negotiable. But even if Donald and I had stayed together, I would have raised the kids.
“Donald was the kind of father who was in the office at 6 a.m.
“I took the kids to his office after breakfast and they played with the Legos on the floor while Donald was on the phone.
“He took care of her and he loved her. But he doesn’t know how to make small talk, and he certainly wouldn’t say, “Oh, chu, chu, chu, chu.” how cute we are today Let’s go to the park with the stroller.” No.
Ivana, Donald, Eric and Ivanka, in Mar-a-Lago in 1998, a year before their divorce
“I picked her up at 7am and to school at 8am. After school, Ivanka had piano lessons and ballet lessons and ice skating lessons. Donald Jr. and Eric had karate or golf or whatever it was. Then they did their homework. By 7:30 they would be in a coma and asleep in bed. If you keep them busy, they don’t have time to get into trouble,” Ivana previously said of her parenting
‘It wasn’t his thing. He didn’t start talking to them until they were in college and able to talk business,” she told the New York Post in 2018.
I picked her up at 7am and to school at 8am. After school, Ivanka had piano lessons and ballet lessons and ice skating lessons. Donald Jr. and Eric had karate or golf or whatever it was. Then they did their homework. By 7:30 they would be in a coma and asleep in bed. If you keep them busy, they won’t have time to get into trouble
She was “devastated” when Trump’s lawyers claimed she was a bad mother during divorce negotiations.
She also recalled a standoff where Trump announced, “I’m keeping Don Jr.”
She shot back, “Keep him. I have two others to raise,” she lovingly recounted how Don Jr., then just a boy, was back in her arms within hours.
“I knew Donald wouldn’t know what to do with him. It was hurtful, but I couldn’t be intimidated.’
She claimed that the key to keeping the kids grounded is “discipline.”
“I let her get up at 7 a.m. and took her to school at 8 a.m. After school, Ivanka had piano lessons and ballet lessons and ice skating lessons.
“Donald Jr. and Eric had karate or golf or whatever it was.
“Then you did your homework. By 7:30 they would be in a coma and asleep in bed. If you keep them busy, they don’t have time to get into trouble.”
Ivanka and Ivana, left, in 2001 and right with Don Jr. The children remained close with their mother until her death
Ivana Trump poses with their children Donald Trump Jr. (L), Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump (R) after having lunch at Frederick’s Madison November 16, 2006 in New York City
Ivana with her three children in 2011 at the launch of the Ivana Living Legend Wine Collection in New York City
Ivana with Eric Trump in September 2015. He paid tribute to her Thursday after her death at the age of 73
Ivana Trump leaves her home in New York bringing a birthday present for mother Ivana Trump last February
It was a formula that seemed to work—or at least held them together.
Writing for TIME in 2017, “I believe the credit for raising such great children goes to me. Before our divorce I was responsible for raising our children and after the separation I had sole custody of them.
“I made the decisions about her education, activities, travel, childcare and allowances.
“When everyone finished college, I said to my ex-husband, ‘Here’s the finished product. Now it’s your turn.”‘
“Children of divorce, surrounded by wealth and poised for fame, Don Jr., Ivanka and Eric could have become the most damaged, drug addicted, poor little rich kids on the planet.
“Instead, the boys are devoted husbands and fathers, running a multi-billion dollar company together.
“Ivanka is a wonderful mother and wife; started her own clothing, jewelry and shoe business; has written two books (her latest, I believe, was inspired by me); is now her father’s assistant, that of the United States; and works actively to improve the lives of women and children.
“I think Ivanka played a big part in Donald’s win… Who knows? One day she could be the first female – and Jewish – POTUS.”
Ivana Trump with one of her ten grandchildren. He paid tribute to her in an Instagram post on Thursday
The children then made themselves comfortable with their father and held key positions in his companies. They stayed close to their mother, often visiting her on the Upper East Side and making sure she spent time with her grandchildren.
The children were regularly spotted visiting their mother at her Upper East Side home, which she shared with her own mother.
At 96, she survived her larger-than-life daughter. Ivana died at home on Thursday at the age of 73.
Her death was announced by her ex-husband, who said on behalf of the family: “I am very saddened to announce to everyone who loved her, of whom there are many, that Ivana Trump passed away at her home in New York City.
“She was a wonderful, beautiful and amazing woman who lived an amazing and inspiring life,” he continued. “Her pride and joy were her three children, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.
“She was as proud of her as we were all so proud of her. Rest in peace Ivana!’
