Ivana Trump dies: Donald Trump's first wife dies aged 73 as family pay tribute

The businesswoman and fashion designer was found dead in her New York apartment. 

It is thought that the author and former model had passed away from cardiac arrest.

Ivana shared three children - Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric - with the businessman turned politician.

Donald Trump. Credit: PA

Donald Trump's first wife Ivana Trump dies aged 73

A Trump family spokesperson has paid tribute to Ivana, describing her as a survivor.

They said: "Our mother was an incredible woman -- a force in business, a world-class athlete, a radiant beauty, and 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.

"She will be dearly missed by her mother, her three children and ten grandchildren."

The sad news broke on ABC News on Thursday night (July 14).

She was born Ivana Zelnickova in 1949 in the Czechoslovak city of Gottwaldov, the former city of Zlin that had just been renamed by the Communists, who took over the country in 1948.

In the 1970s, Ivana lived in Canada before she moved to the US and married Donald Trump in 1977.

Throughout her career, she held various managerial positions in The Trump Organisation including as CEO and president of Trump's Castle casino resort, vice president of interior design and even manager of the Plaza Hotel.

The couple's divorce was finalized in 1992 before she went on to launch her own clothing and jewellery lines.

Ivana also developed her own beauty products which were sold on QVC London and the Home Shopping Network.

Additionally, she penned a Goble advice column between 1995 and 2010 called "Ask Ivana" and published several books ranging from fiction to self-help.