Ivana Trump, the 1980s-style icon and businesswoman who supported Donald Trump create the empire that put him on the road toward the White House, lived a “beautiful life,” the ex-president reminisced as loved ones paid final respects to her Wednesday.
The ex-president joined his family and friends at Manhattan church for Ivana Trump’s funeral Mass.
“A sorrowful day, but at the same time a celebration of a wonderful and beautiful life,” he posted on his social media handle, Truth Social—before he, their son Barron and former first lady Melania Trump headed to St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, found just a few blocks from Ivana Trump’s home near Central Park.
Donald Trump’s three children and Ivana stood with their dad and relatives as the coffin was moved from the church. Eric Trump shortly put an arm around his sister’s shoulders as she held the hand of one of her small kids.
Tiffany Trump, the daughter of the ex-president and his second wife, Marla Maples, also attended the service, as did family friends, including Jeanine Pirro, co-host of Fox News’s “The Five,” and Charles Kushner, a real estate developer and the father of Ivanka Trump’s husband, Jared Kushner. Fashion designer Dennis Basso, a longtime friend of Ivana Trump’s, was also among the mourners.
The Mass was a grand send-forth for Ivana Trump,” another longtime friend, R. Couri Hay, said as he emerged.
Trump’s relative announced Thursday that the 73-year-old had died at her home. Authorities said the death was an accident, with blunt impact injuries to her torso as the cause.
Ivana and Donald Trump met in the 1970s and were wedded from 1977 to 1992. In the 1980s, they were a power couple, and she became well known in her own right, instantly recognizable with her blond hair in an updo and glamorous look.
Ivana Trump also took part in her husband’s companies, handling one of his Atlantic City casinos and choosing some design elements in New York City’s Trump Tower.
Their very public divorce was ugly, but in current years, they were friendly. Ivana Trump was a passionate supporter of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential movement and said they spoke frequently.
