Ivana Trump was laid to rest yesterday next to the first hole on her ex-husband, Donald Trump’s Bedminster Golf Course yesterday.
The 73-year-old former model died after a fall down her ornate spiral staircase in her luxurious Manhattan townhouse on July 14.
Her gold casket was lowered into the ground on a grassy area “not too far from the main clubhouse” as her three children gathered at the private, low-key affair to pay their last respects.
Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric Trump all reportedly gave short speeches at the ceremony, which one un-named attendee described as “beautiful”.
Donald Trump also attended the service, which was only open to close friends and family.
He spoke about how his ex-wife and mother to three of his five children (Tiffany’s mom is actress Marla Maples and Barron Trump is Melania’s only child) was an “incredible” and “strong” woman, adding, “she commanded a room”.
Ivana, who had emigrated to the US from Czechoslovakia to start a new life, was hailed as a “trailblazer” during the ceremony which was called a Celebration of Life.
Only 100 mourners were in attendance at the St. Vincent Ferrer Church on Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, all of whom were asked to display an invite upon their arrival.
After the service, mourners gathered on the golf course where Ivana’s casket was lowered into the earth. One day, the entire Trump family will be laid to rest in this family cemetery, which Donald Trump first proposed in 2007.
The former president also said he would like a mausoleum built on the peaceful plot as a memorial to himself and his family:
“This is such beautiful land, and Bedminster is one of the richest places in the country,” Trump told Page Six.
At first, Trump, who is known for his elaborate taste, wanted a 19-foot-high obelisk in the center of the course, but the plan was not popular with local officials, who said it may be an “attractive nuisance”.
After arguing that the structure could also be used as a wedding venue, Trump later opted for a more low-key alternative, proposing to set aside a 1,000-plot burial site on land where he and his family will be laid to rest when they die.
Local planners denied the proposals, claiming that the site would be too big for the size of the area around the town, and so Trump made do with a small, 10-person family plot situated on a 5,700 square foot site of his 504-acre estate and 200 available plots for paying members.
🇺🇸NewYork | They celebrate a funeral mass to say goodbye to Ivana Trump, first wife of former President Trump and mother of three of his children.
Ivana, 73, died by accident at her home. Authorities said the cause was a blunt impact injury to the torso. pic.twitter.com/6wdoltH9Ea
— World News 24 (@DailyWorld24) July 20, 2022
Ivana’s daughter, Ivanka, 40, gave tribute to her late mom at the church service:
“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.”
Donald Jr light-heartedly made some jokes and remembered the good times he shared with him mom, before adding: “I love you mom”.
Her youngest child, Eric said:
“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.”
The former president is reportedly “very upset” about the death of his ex-wife, who he remained close to despite the outgoing socialite marrying two more times after their divorce in 1992.
This story syndicated with permission from Jo Marney, Author at Trending Politics
"*" indicates required fields
