Ivana Trump’s Incredible Journey: From Czech Ski Slopes to New York’s Power Scene
Ivana Trump: From Ski Slopes to Style Icon. Ivana Trump, born Ivana Zelníčková in 1949 in what is now the Czech Republic, rose from the confines of a socialist system to global fame—not by chance, but with drive and style. A competitive skier on her country’s Olympic training team, she developed the focus and fearlessness that would define her life.
Her first marriage to an Austrian skier opened the door to the West, and she soon transitioned into modeling, making a name for herself in Montreal before landing in New York. There, she met Donald Trump, and together they became a media sensation. But Ivana was more than a socialite—she was a key player in the Trump empire, shaping iconic properties like Trump Tower and The Plaza Hotel as a top executive.
With her signature big hair, bold fashion, and sharp business instincts, she embodied 1980s power and glamour.

Even after her very public divorce in 1992, she turned the spotlight into opportunity—launching fashion lines, writing bestsellers, and building her own brand long before it was common.

Ivana stayed true to her image and values, aging on her own terms and living unapologetically. As a mother to Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, she remained a guiding force behind the scenes.


Ivana Trump wasn’t just a name in someone else’s story—she wrote her own. A self-made woman who taught us that real power lies in resilience, style, and showing up fearlessly at every stage of life.