Alfred Winklmayr 'Had No Illusion' over His Marriage to Ivana Trump

In the story of Ivana Trump's life, there's a fascinating chapter involving her ex-husband, Alfred Winklmayr. Their marriage was not typical; it was born out of a friend's noble gesture to help Ivana escape an oppressive regime.

Ivana Trump's life has been nothing short of colorful, with her marriage to former U.S. President Donald Trump taking center stage. While she captured public attention for her prominent unions, beneath it all was a woman seeking a better life beyond her past.

Alfred Winklmayr, Ivana Trump's ex-husband, may not be as widely known, but his role in Ivana's life was significant. Their marriage, devoid of romantic love but driven by a friend's desire to assist, gave Ivana the means to break free from an authoritarian regime and forge a path to a brighter future.

Alfred Shaped Ivana's Destiny

Alfred played a significant role in Ivana Trump's life during a crucial period. Ivana, born Ivana Zelníčková, grew up in communist Czechoslovakia, nurturing dreams of building a better life abroad.

In her 2017 memoir, "Raising Trump," Ivana revealed a unique plan hatched by her friend George to facilitate her legal departure from Czechoslovakia. This plan involved an unusual union with Alfred, an Austrian skier and citizen.

Inside the Couple's Marriage of Convenience

The main objective of Ivana and Alfred was to secure an Austrian passport, granting Ivana the freedom to leave her homeland and still maintain ties with her family. Ivana and Alfred understood that their marriage wasn't based on love but rather a means to obtain crucial documents. She recalled:

"The marriage wouldn't be real, of course, and Fred had no illusion that it meant anything. It was only for me to get the necessary papers."

As she recounted in her memoir, Alfred willingly went along with this plan as a noble gesture to help her escape the oppressive regime. In 1971, when Ivana was twenty-two years old, they underwent a civil ceremony in a government building in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

After her brief union with Alfred, Ivana entered a series of marriages, beginning with her marriage to Donald in 1977.

Afterward, Alfred returned to Vienna while Ivana patiently awaited the arrival of her Austrian passport. They remained married for two years to maintain the illusion. However, as soon as it was safe to do so, they divorced in 1973.

The details of Ivana and Alfred's previous marriage of convenience came to public attention during the highly publicized divorce proceedings between Ivana and Donald. In 1990, Ivana's lawyer, Michael Kennedy, held a press conference to share this intriguing chapter of her past.

Michael clarified that Ivana's marriage to Alfred was "never consummated," and they never lived together. It served solely as a means for Ivana to obtain an Austrian passport, which she successfully acquired in 1972. Donald, who married Ivana in 1977, was aware of this prior marriage.

Ivana's Subsequent Marriages and Passing

After her brief union with Alfred, Ivana entered a series of marriages, beginning with her marriage to Donald in 1977. Their marriage produced three children: Ivanka, Donald Jr., and Eric Trump.

However, their marriage eventually ended in 1992 following Donald's affair with Marla Maples. Donald and Marla's relationship resulted in the birth of their daughter, Tiffany Trump.

In 1995, Ivana married Riccardo Mazzucchelli, an Italian entrepreneur, but this marriage lasted only 20 months, marked by a contentious legal battle. Despite their differences, Riccardo openly professed his love for Ivana in interviews.

Ivana's fourth and final marriage was to Rossano Rubicondi in 2008, a relationship with its ups and downs, including a stint as a contestant on the reality dance show "Dancing with the Stars" (DWTS) in 2018. DWTS is known for its famous contestants in the past, such as Jeannie Mai, Alfonso Ribeiro, and Jason Mraz.

Ivana and her fourth spouse eventually separated in 2019 as Ivana felt their connection had run its course. Tragically, Rossano passed away due to cancer, leaving Ivana devastated.

On July 14, 2022, just nine months after Rossano's passing, Ivana died at her New York City residence at the age of 73. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner attributed her demise to injuries sustained from a fall.