In a moving interview with Fox News, Eric Trump remembers his mother not only as a style icon and world-class athlete, but as a woman of resilience, warmth, and boundless determination. Her sudden death at 73 has left a deep void in the Trump family—and a legacy that won’t be forgotten.

Ivana Trump, the dazzling Czech-American socialite, skier, and businesswoman who helped shape the Trump empire during its formative years, passed away suddenly on Thursday at her Manhattan townhouse. She was 73.

For Eric Trump, the youngest of her three children with former President Donald Trump, the loss is not just personal—it’s seismic.

“She would beat any man down a mountain on skis and look like a supermodel doing it,” he told Fox News in an emotional tribute. “She was an extraordinary woman.”

Those closest to Ivana knew her as far more than the glamorous figure who once graced tabloid covers and red carpets. She was a survivor of communism, a fearless mother, a tenacious entrepreneur, and to her family—simply “mom.”

A Life Cut Short, and a Family Grieving

Ivana was found unresponsive at her home on East 64th Street in Manhattan’s Upper East Side around 12:40 p.m. Thursday, after a housekeeper arrived for work and called 911. According to early reports, officials believe she may have suffered a cardiac arrest and fallen down the stairs, though the exact cause of death remains under investigation.

Eric, who had been working just blocks away at Trump Tower, rushed to the scene within minutes. He was later seen leaving the home with his wife, Lara Trump, visibly shaken but composed.

Later that day, he released a public statement alongside siblings Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., writing:

“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 from communism and embraced this country. She taught her children about grit and toughness, compassion and determination.”

The Woman Behind the Legend

Born Ivana Zelníčková in Czechoslovakia in 1949, Ivana’s first love was skiing. She competed with the Czech junior national team before eventually leaving the country in search of freedom and opportunity. That journey took her to Canada, where she modeled and worked as a ski instructor—skills that would later come to define her dual persona as both fierce and fashionable.

Ivana met Donald Trump in New York City in the 1970s. They married in 1977 and quickly became the ultimate 1980s power couple: rich, glamorous, and unstoppable. Ivana wasn’t just a trophy wife—she was a trusted advisor and key player in Trump’s growing real estate empire. She helped oversee interior design projects, including the now-iconic Trump Tower.

She was also instrumental in raising their three children, each of whom has remained in the public eye.

“She Taught Us Strength”

For Eric, who serves as executive vice president of the Trump Organization, his mother was both a role model and a warrior.

“She taught us about loyalty and drive,” he said. “She didn’t just tell us to work hard—she showed us how. She built her life from scratch and never made excuses.”

The family released a series of personal photos through Fox News Digital, showcasing Ivana’s life not as a celebrity, but as a mother: holding a grandchild, blowing out birthday candles with her kids, walking on a beach hand-in-hand with her former husband, and hugging her own mother alongside her grown children.

The message was clear: this wasn’t just the glamorous figure of the tabloids. This was a woman who loved deeply, lived boldly, and never let the world define her.

A Public Life, and a Private Strength

Ivana Trump’s public life was often headline fodder. Her divorce from Donald in 1992—after his high-profile affair with actress Marla Maples—played out across tabloid front pages and late-night monologues. Yet Ivana never faded into obscurity or bitterness. She reinvented herself as a best-selling author, fashion mogul, and media personality.

In her 1996 cameo in The First Wives Club, she delivered one of the most memorable lines in the film:

“Don’t get mad. Get everything.”

It was tongue-in-cheek. But it was also vintage Ivana—chic, clever, and cutting through the noise.

Even after their divorce, she and Donald Trump maintained a surprisingly warm relationship. She once referred to him as a “good ex-husband,” and he spoke of her frequently and fondly. In a post on Truth Social following her death, the former president wrote:

“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!”

The Family She Built

Ivana leaves behind not only three children but also ten grandchildren, all of whom she adored. She often split her time between New York and Europe and remained deeply connected to her Czech roots, frequently returning to visit family and friends.

But New York, as Eric said, “was home.” The townhouse where she passed away was not just a residence but a symbol of her independence, elegance, and success.

“She lived life on her terms,” Eric added. “And she left us the same way—strong, fearless, and unforgettable.”

Final Reflections

Ivana Trump’s story was anything but ordinary. From the mountains of Eastern Europe to the skyscrapers of Manhattan, from Olympic aspirations to Wall Street ballrooms, she lived a life of transformation, reinvention, and resilience.

She was, as her children have made clear, much more than a former wife or socialite. She was a fighter. A mother. A woman who refused to be written off or quieted.

In the days to come, tributes will surely pour in from public figures and fans around the world. But perhaps the most meaningful eulogy has already been given—by her son, standing outside her home just moments after learning the news:

“She was extraordinary.”

Yes, she was.