Inside Ivana Trump's Relationship With Her Children During Her Final Years
Ivana Trump, the first wife of former President Donald Trump and the mother of Ivanka, Donald Jr., and Eric Trump, passed away at the age of 73 in her Manhattan home (via The New York Times). Following her death, the Trump children issued a heartfelt statement about their mother.
"Our mother was an incredible woman — a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and caring mother and friend," her children said in a statement. "Ivana Trump was a survivor. She fled from communism and embraced this country. She taught her children about grit and toughness, compassion, and determination. She will be dearly missed by her mother, her three children, and ten grandchildren" (via ABC News).
It's no secret that Ivana had a special bond with her children. Her relationship with her daughter Ivanka was especially close while she was growing up. However, many may be wondering if they maintained a close relationship in Ivana's later life as her children were serving in their father's presidential administration.
She shared a close bond with her children
Ivana Trump has never been afraid to speak out about what raising children with former President Donald Trump was like. In October 2016, she opened up to a group at a benefit. "I brought up the children singlehandedly," she said. "Donald wasn't really interested in the children until he could talk business with them ... When they turned 21, I handed them over to him and said 'Here's the finished product, you can take them from here'" (via the New York Daily News).
It is clear that Ivana played a major role in raising her children during their formative years. Though the Trump kids, Ivanka (named after her mother) Donald Jr., and Eric all joined their father's political team, they remained close with their mother.
Ivana had a strong relationship with her children and grandchildren, "They call me 'Glam-ma' or 'Ivana-ma,' for the youngest ones," she lovingly stated (via The Huffington Post). She would often receive heartfelt posts on Mother's Day and her birthday from her children, especially Ivanka, who posted to Instagram in 2016. "Happy #MothersDay to my amazing mom. You've taught me so much—you truly lead by example. I hope one day my children look up to me as much as I look up to you."
Ivana's children spoke kindly of her at her funeral
Ivana Trump's funeral was attended by her entire family, including her ex-husband Donald Trump and his current wife Melania Trump (via the Mirror UK). It was a tough day for her three children Ivanka, Donald Jr., and Eric Trump, and Melania was said to have attended in support of her stepchildren.
During the funeral, Ivanka read a heartfelt eulogy. In it, she shared how much she adored her mother's work ethic. "Growing up, my mother didn't tell me a woman could do anything she wanted to, she showed me," she said. "She was a trailblazer by men and women alike." She added, "My mother once told me there was nothing she couldn't do in heels. She taught us how to spearfish and then cook what we caught. My mom expanded our minds."
Ivana's memoir echoed the memories shared by Ivanka. According to OK! Magazine, she shared breakfast and dinner with her three children daily and spent as much time with them as possible.
Ivanka wasn't the only one to give a eulogy. Eric and Donald Jr. spoke about their mother as well (via Crow River Media). Donald Jr. spoke about how independent and fearless his mother was, sharing the story of her seeking refugee status from her native Czech Republic. Eric's eulogy offered even more insight into his relationship with his mother.
Eric Trump has publicly shared his special bond with his mother following her passing
Eric Trump has been the most open of Ivana Trump's children when it comes to sharing his grief in public. He talked about his special bond with his mother on Fox News. "She would beat any man down a mountain on skis and look like a supermodel doing it," he gushed. "She was an extraordinary woman."
Eric was also the first of Ivana's children to share a public post on Instagram and was the first of the brood to be seen out in public following her passing. As he exited his mother's New York City home on the day of her death, he told a slew of paparazzi, "It's a very sad day" (per TMZ).
In his eulogy, Eric stated, "She had brains; she had beauty. She was the embodiment of the American dream ... She was a force of nature" (via Crow River Media). Eric has made it clear that he shared a special bond with his mother as her youngest child.