Ivana Trump was remembered by her children as the ’embodiment of the American dream’ at her New York City funeral on Wednesday.
Donald Trump Jr, Eric and Ivanka all spoke at the service at St. Vincent Ferrer Church on the Upper East Side in front of 100 mourners, including former President Donald Trump, his wife Melania and their 16-year-old son Barron.
‘Growing up, my mother didn’t tell me a woman could do anything she wanted to — she showed me.
‘She was a trailblazer to men and women alike. My mother once told me there was nothing she couldn’t do in heels. She taught us how to spear fish and then cook what we caught. My mom expanded our minds,’ Ivanka said sincerely.
Don Jr. spoke next and delighted the congregation with fond memories and jokes. Before he returned to his seat, he said: ‘I love you, mom.’
Eric Trump, the youngest, spoke next.
‘She had brains; she had beauty. She was the embodiment of the American dream … She was a force of nature, could beat any man down the slopes, any woman on the runway.
‘She ruled the three of us [kids] with an iron fist but also a heart of gold,’ said Eric.
After the service, the family traveled to New Jersey for a private reception at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
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L-R: Kai Trump, 15, with Donald and Melania Trump, Barron, Ivanka, six-year-old Theo, and Eric Trump after the funeral of Ivana Trump on Wednesday
Ivanka’s youngest son Theodore presents her with a red rose on the steps of the church after her mother Ivana’s funeral on Wednesday
Donald Trump emerges from the church with his grandson Theo, Ivanka, Eric, Melania, Don Jr., Jared Kushner and Barron
Donald, Melania and Barron Trump on the steps of St. Vincent Ferrer church on Wednesday afternoon after the funeral of Ivana Trump
Donald and Melania Trump after the funeral service of his first wife Ivana
Donald and Melania Trump emerge from the funeral of his first wife Ivana on Wednesday, with Donald’s eight-year-old granddaughter Chloe behind them
Barron Trump,1 6, also attended the service on Wednesday with the rest of the family
Barron Trump was also seen entering the church through a side door behind his parents
The Trump family on the steps of the St. Vincent Ferrer Church after Ivana’s funeral on Wednesday
Donald Trump entering the church after Melania. Barron, 16, trailed behind him and their Secret Service entourage
The Trump family waits somberly for the casket of Ivana Trump to be carried into the church in New York City on Wednesday
Ivana Trump was last seen on June 22, walking around the Upper East Side with the help of an assistant (left). She is pictured, right, in Paris in 199
The order of service included a photograph of Ivana with her children next to the Serenity Prayer. A portrait of her in a gown was on the front
Former President Donald Trump did not speak at the service but he appeared afterwards on the steps of the church with the rest of the family.
Next to her casket was her 1992 Vanity Fair cover
Extravagant arrangements of red roses met mourners as they stepped into the church entrance which was lit by clusters of votive candles housed in glass holders.
The large floral displays – pom poms of red roses – were staged at the end of pews down the length of the aisle.
Next to the casket was a blown up print-out of a Vanity Fair cover featuring Ivana.
Earlier, he and Melanie slipped in through a side door with Barron, waving to supporters in the streets who yelled ‘we love you!’ before making his way inside.
Before the service, Don Jr. and his ex-wife Vanessa comforted their crying eight-year-old Chloe while Ivanka kept a protective hand over her youngest son, six-year-old Theo.
Eric Trump and his wife Lara brought their two young children, Eric, four, and Carolina, two, who watched in silence as their grandmother’s casket was brought past them.
A glamorous woman with a penchant for younger men, skiing and dancing, Ivana’s ‘Celebration of Life’ service on Wednesday attracted socialites from New York City, Palm Beach and Europe.
The well-heeled crowd gathered outside St Vincent Ferrer Church on Lexington Avenue in sweltering heat, clutching their funeral invitations to present to police officers and Secret Service agents at the doors.
The church is a stone’s throw from the townhouse on 64th Street where Ivana lived for 26 years and where she was discovered at the bottom of the stairs last week.
NYPD barricades wreathed round the block between Lexington Avenue and East 65th and 66th on Wednesday while trucks from Greenscape Designs unloaded by the side entrance.
Officers and secret service agents consulted with each other and paced the sidewalk as members of the church choir began to arrive shortly after 11am.
Donald Trump Jr. leaves the funeral of his mother Ivana on Wednesday
Ivanka Trump leaves her mother Ivana’s funeral on Wednesday
Ivanka leaving the church with her family on Wednesday after the funeral of her mother, Ivana. Jared is shown, right, with their son Joseph
Former First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the funeral of Ivana Trump in New York City on Wednesday
The family waits outside for the gold casket of Ivana Trump to be carried into the church on Wednesday
Ivana Trump’s gold casket is carried into St. Vincent Ferrer Church on Lexington Avenue followed by the Trump family
The first came bearing ID and printed-out forms that were carefully studied by a waiting agent before the barricades were opened just enough to let the two middle aged women in.
Two large police trucks were parked directly opposite the church’s imposing front doors to house the photographers who trained their lenses on the church entrance.
Bit by bit, small groups of people gathered intrigued by the measures designed to keep at bay all but those who had received an invitation, featuring an image of Ivana in her heyday on the slopes. Still people stood and stared, sweating in the heat of the Manhattan sun.
Ivanka Trump with Donald, Melania and the rest of the family on Wednesday, leaving the funeral home
Donald Trump comforts Ivanka at the funeral home on Wednesday as the rest of the family waits for to leave for the church
Donald Trump leading his wife, children and grandchildren out of the Frank E. Campbell funeral home on Wednesday for the funeral of his first wife, Ivana
Grief-stricken Ivanka emerges from the Frank E. Campbell funeral home, escorted by her father and the rest of the family
Ivanka Trump leaves the Frank E. Camobell funeral home with her husband Jared Kushner and father Donald Trump
Ivanka and Jared Kushner with their two sons, Theo and Joseph. Their daughter Arabella was not present
Ivanka kisses her six-year-old son Joseph on the cheek as her nephew Eric and niece Carolina play nearby. Almost all of the Trump grandchildren were present for the funeral
Ivanka kneels down to speak to her nephew, Eric Trump, as they wait for the arrival of Ivana Trump’s casket
From right, Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner arrive for the funeral of Ivana Trump, Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in New York
Eric Trump arrives at his mother Ivana’s funeral along with his Ivanka Trump and her oldest son, Joseph
Eric Trump, Lara Trump and Ivanka Trump watch as the casket of Ivana Trump is carried into the church on Wednesday
Eight-year-old Chloe Trump cries as the casket of her grandmother is carried into church on Wednesday. She was comforted by her mother Vanessa, who is shown linking arms with her oldest daughter, 15-year-old Kai. Donald Trump Jr. comforted two of the couple’s sons. Next to him is his fiancee, Kimberly Guilfoyle
The Trump family gathers for the funeral of Ivana Trump on Wednesday in New York City
Donald Trump Jr. comforts two of his sons at the funeral of their grandmother Ivana on Wednesday
Earlier in the day, Ivanka and Jared were spotted in Central Park, taking a break from their morning jog to admire Bethesda Fountain.
Former President Donald Trump flew in to New York from Florida with former First Lady Melania earlier this week after announcing Ivana’s death with a heartfelt statement on behalf of the family.
In another touching tribute to his former wife last night, he told long-term friend Cindy Adams, a columnist for The New York Post: ‘She was outstanding. Beautiful inside and out. We began all of it, our lives together, with such a great relationship.’
The funeral service was billed as a ‘Celebration of Life’ to honor Ivana, a Czechoslovakian skier turned model who moved to America at the dawn of the 70s and became one of New York’s most iconic first wives.
Melania Trump arrives at church for the funeral of Donald Trump’s first wife Ivana
Ivanka Trump holds hands with her six-year-old son Theo as they make their way out of the funeral home
Ivanka Trump is pictured arriving at the Frank Campbell funeral home on Wednesday ahead of her mother Ivana’s funeral
Ivanka accompanied six-year-old son Theo into the funeral home with her husband keeping a close eye behind them
Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle depart Trump Tower for the funeral home on Wednesday morning
Don Jr. and Kimberly were the first members of the family to arrive at the funeral home on Wednesday afternoon
Eric Trump’s wife Lara wore a fitted black dress and black patent heels for the solemn occasion
Lara Trump outside Trump Tower on Wednesday before making her way to the funeral home in Manhattan
Lara was in high spirits outside Trump Tower before she and the rest of the family made their way to the funeral home
Lara Trump arrives at the funeral home with her daughter Carolina and husband Eric. She hugged a mourner before making her way inside
Lara Trump escorts her daughter, Carolina, into the funeral home with husband Eric nearby
Eric Trump fixes his tie outside the funeral home
Eric Trump with his four-year-old son, also called Eric, at the funeral home on Wednesday morning
Vanessa Trump, Don. Jr’s ex-wife, enters the funeral home with the couple’s five children on Wednesday
Vanessa Trump, Don Jr.’s ex-wife, was seen arriving at the funeral home on Wednesday before the rest of the family
Tiffany Trump attended the service with her fiance Michael Boulos. Her mother, Marla Maples, was not present. Her relationship
All three of Ivana’s children were expected to speak at the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to Big and Small Dog Ranch Rescue.
Don Jr’s fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle, was spotted in New York City on Tuesday morning ahead of the planned service. She was seen visiting Ivana’s townhouse on 64th Street on Tuesday night.
Ivana and Donald were married from 1977 until 1992, during which time she says she raised their children almost single-handedly.
He went on the marry Marla Maples and then Melania in 2005.
The former President is said to be ‘very upset’ about the death of his first wife, with whom he remained close, according to family friends cited by The New York Post.
Ivana married four times in her life; Donald was her second husband. Her first was Austrian skier Alfred Winklmayr, whom she married for a ticket out of her native Czechoslovakia in 1971.
Through Alfred, Ivana obtained an Austrian passport which she then used to emigrate to Canada with. She dissolved the marriage shortly afterwards.
She met Donald Trump in 1976 while in New York City on a work trip.
They married the following year, and she gave birth to their first child, Don. Jr., the same year.
Jared Kushner’s father Charles arrives at the funeral of Ivana Trump on Wednesday
Mourners were patted down and searched for weapons before making their way inside the church
A woman is checked by a Secret Service agent as she attends the funeral of Ivana Trump at St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church July 20, 2022 in New York City. Trump, the first wife of former U.S. President Donald Trump, died at the age of 73 after a fall down the stairs of her Manhattan home
Fox News host Jeanine Pirro is shown leaving the funeral of Ivana Trump on Wednesday
Glamorous mourners flocked to St. Vincent Ferrer Church on Lexington Avenue to pay their respects to Ivana
Stylish women braved the 100F heat in dresses, blouses and hats, clutching water bottles in their hands as they made their way inside
Mourners arrive for the funeral of Ivana Trump on Wednesday. They were shown inside after presenting their invitations. Far left is Trump event planner Lynne Patton
More guests at the Celebration of Life service for Ivana Trump on Wednesday, July 20
Matthew Calamari, an executive vice president with the Trump Organization attends the funeral for Ivana Trump
Security at the funeral was so tight that even the nuns from St. Vincent Ferrer Church were searched before they were allowed inside
The nun was asked to present her ID before making her way into the invitation-only event on Wednesday
People lined the streets near the funeral home to catch a glimpse of the former First Family and to pay their respects to Ivana, who was beloved in the neighborhood where she lived for 26 years
The Frank E. Campbell funeral home on East 81st Street, where Ivana’s remains were prepared for Wednesday’s service
NYPD officers were at the scene along with swarms of Secret Service agents in anticipation of the arrival of Donald Trump and his children
A heart-shaped wreath of red roses for Ivana outside St. Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church in New York City on Wednesday
Flowers being brought into the Frank E. Campbell funeral home on Wednesday before Ivana’s remains departed for the church
Secret Service agent surrounded St Vincent Ferrer Roman Catholic Church on Lexington Avenue on Wednesday ahead of the funeral
Funeral preparations at St. Vincent Ferrer on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Wednesday ahead of the funeral of Ivana Trump
Secret Service agents peppered the sidewalk on Wednesday before the first mourners arrived
The enormous church sits on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 65th Street, a stone’s throw from Ivanka’s townhouse where she was found dead last week
NYPD officers making arrangements outside the funeral home where Ivana Trump remains were held before the funeral
Ivanka was born next in 1981 and then Eric in 1984. Trump and Ivana divorced in 1992 after he met and fell in love with Marla Maples, his second wife and the mother of his fourth child, Tiffany.
Ivana then married Italian businessman Riccardo Mazzucchelli but it was short-lived; they divorced in 1997 after two years together. Mazzucchelli died in 2017.
Her fourth husband, known as her ‘boy toy’, was Rossano Rubicondi. At 23 years her junior, their 2008 marriage attracted tabloid gasps.
The pair remained close even after their divorce the following year, in 2009. Rossano died aged 48 in October last year from complications caused by melanoma.
Donald and Ivana’s children have all publicly expressed their heartbreak over the loss of their mother.
Ivana first met real estate tycoon Donald Trump in 1976 when she was working as a model, and the two were married just over a year later on April 7, 1977
Following their divorce in the mid-1990s, Ivana went on to marry Italian entrepreneur Riccardo Mazzucchelli in November 1995 and actor Rossano Rubicondi in 2008
Ivana Trump’s wedding to Rossano Rubicondi took place at Donald Trump’s beach club in Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida in April 2008 with her daughter, Ivanka, serving as a maid of honor
They divorced less than one year later, but their on-again, off-again relationship continued until 2019 when she ultimately called it quits. But friends of the two said they had grown close prior to his death in October. They are pictured as guest dancers on the Italian version of Dancing with the Stars in May 2018
Eric, 38, shared a heartfelt tribute with Dailymail.com – penned by himself, Ivanka and Don Jr – hours after Ivana’s passing, which remembered her as an ‘incredible woman’ who was ‘a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and caring mother and friend’.
The joint statement recalled the businesswoman’s tough upbringing behind the Iron Curtain and incredible journey to the US, having fled communism in Czechoslovakia before moving to Canada and then New York City.
They said she ‘taught her children about grit and toughness, compassion and determination’ and said she will be ‘dearly missed’.
He has also been traveling to his mother’s home regularly since her death on Thursday and was spotted leaving the property on Monday with a black plastic bag.
It is unclear if the family has removed any sentimental items belonging to Ivana from the property since her death, or what will become of the property now.
Ivanka, 40, also paid tribute to their mother, calling her ‘bold’ and saying she was always prepared to do what was necessary.
In comments to The New York Post this week, she said: ‘Wicked. Vim. Vigor. She brought joy and self-confidence. Understand it stemmed from her birth and upbringing. She came from a communist country.
‘From denial. Being nothing. Having nothing. The Czech Republic background was her rationale for loving the fine things. For what was rich. What spelled glamour. Seeing the best is what defined who she was.
‘Yes, she was bold. But no matter what, where or who she was, she was always there for us. Always The Person to go to. If need be she’d act as the housekeeper. And did. Be the one to wash the dishes — and did.’
Ivana Trump may not have made it to the White House – but she relished her role as a loving mother to her three kids and proudly described how she raised them without their father’s help
Ivana Trump with her then-husband Donald and their three kids, left, and right with Donald and Ivanka as a baby