Ivana Trump’s Friend Feels ‘She Could’ve Been Saved’ — Inside Her Last Days

Ivana Trump was an incredible woman who left an indelible mark on everyone she met, so when she passed away in her home of 28 years on July 14, 2022, many people were left heartbroken. It was not only her family that mourned her loss but friends and fans worldwide.

A couple of days after her passing, her eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was the last person to pay tribute to his mother via an Instagram post. While tributes have been pouring in for Ivana since her death, Donald Trump Jr. was the last of her children to mention her death.

The young man took to his Instagram page to share a series of sweet photos of his mother throughout her life. The photo series was accompanied by a heartfelt message from Donald wherein he bid his beloved mother farewell.

Donald mentioned in the post that his mother had always pushed her children to be the best they could be and that she was a disciplinarian because she didn't let them get away with anything. He also said that she had a great sense of humor.

He then said that he is the person he is today because of how his mother raised him before saying that he loved her very much. The post was met with many kind words from fans and friends alike.

While fans sent love and condolences to Donald, those who knew Ivana better shared their own experiences of the icon, with Kimberly Guilfoyle saying:

"One of a kind world-class. God Bless your mother."

Ivana was found deceased in her home at 73 years old. An employee of Ivana's came through the front door and discovered Ivana on a staircase in her elaborate townhouse, which she loved for many years. The employee revealed Ivana was not breathing.

After all of the relevant authorities had been informed of Ivana's death, the usual proceedings took place, and soon the news was known worldwide. The world had lost an icon, and many people were shocked by the news.

Her ex-husband, former US President Donald Trump, then released a statement about the late Ivana, mentioning that she was an incredible woman who led an amazing life and prided herself on her three children.

Shortly after her death, Ivana's son, Eric, was spotted outside her townhouse. He and his wife, Lara, were on the scene. After coming back out of the townhouse, Eric spoke to photographers, telling them it was "a very sad day."

While everyone on the scene was upset by her death, those worldwide who heard about it on the news were equally as devastated, as tributes poured in from all corners of the globe via social media.

THE WORLD WEEPS FOR IVANA

The family of Ivana was understandably devastated by the loss of their matriarch, but it was not only her family that felt her loss. Friends, fans, and close neighbors shared in the heartbreak and revealed some details about her last days.

Zach Erdem was one of the people who felt the loss of Ivana more than most. When Erdem met Ivana, he was a busboy at a busy restaurant, but by the time Ivana passed away, Erdem had truly made something of himself. He owns one of the trendiest restaurants in The Hamptons.

While Erdem is now used to celebrities filing in and out of his restaurant, 75 on Main, one celebrity will forever have a special place in his heart, and that is Ivana. The two struck up a friendship in 2003. However, it was not until 2010 that they became genuinely close.

When Erdem opened 75 on Main in 2010, Ivana was one of his first patrons. She came in and told him that she heard he owned the place and asked him to sit down with her. The pair talked for a while, then exchanged phone numbers and kept in touch over the years.

Erdem said that he would miss Ivana's presence in his life as she had seen him through the years and only wished for him to be even more successful than he was. He also shared how Ivana touched his life and the lives of so many others.

The restaurant owner spoke fondly of Ivana and her skills as a businesswoman and mother, but he also shared how she gave of herself, saying:

"She was always supporting charities and everything. She was like an angel. Whoever needed help, she would be there. She didn't care about any politics or religion or whatever; she was ready to help whoever needed it."

Another of the tributes to Ivana came from a neighbor, who said that Ivana's death marked "the end of an era." The neighbor, Broadway producer, Judith Ann Abrams, said that Ivana was always very kind and friendly and that she would be missed as a neighbor.

Neighbors, friends, and fans felt hugely impacted by Ivana, and Erdem even revealed to the press that "she was like an angel" who he would miss immensely as he had hoped to see her again soon.

While Ivana's death shocked some people, it was no secret that she had health issues before she passed away. Erdem mentioned that he knew she had health issues but didn’t like to discuss them very much.

He mentioned that because Ivana didn't like to talk about her health, he would try to speak to her about only positive things. He would often tell her that he loved and missed her when they spoke on the phone instead of talking about her health.

Ivana had plans to go to Europe and The Hamptons in the summer before she passed away. However, Erdem revealed that she told him that she might not be able to get to The Hamptons and that she definitely was not going to Europe.

Erdem then said that she phoned him to tell him that she was going to go to The Hamptons because she wanted to surprise him, but that she would only be able to do so when she felt better.

Erdem was looking forward to this visit from Ivana, but sadly it was not to be as she passed away before she got the chance to visit him. He said he reacted badly to her death, sharing that he was stunned when he got the news. He revealed:

"I was having coffee and dropped the coffee on my shirt, and I started crying."

SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED

Now that the dust has settled around the news of Ivana's death, friends and neighbors are sharing more details about her death, with Erdem believing that if circumstances had been slightly different, she could have been saved.

He shared that if someone had been there when she fell, or if someone had arrived to work sooner, she could have been saved, and the world would not have to mourn the loss of an icon. Erdem mentioned that Ivana's assistant had arrived too late to save her, but if she had walked in earlier, Ivana might still be alive.

The day after Ivana's death, her cause of death was released. The press said that as a result of a fall down the stairs, she sustained blunt force injuries to her torse, which ultimately led to her death. The autopsy was completed on the Friday after she passed away.

Ivana’s funeral is set to be held on Wednesday the 20 July 2022 in the upper east neighborhood where she spent the last years of her life. While her three children intend to attend the funeral, it is unclear if her ex-husband, Donald Trump, will be in attendance.

From the many tributes and accounts that friends, fans, family, and neighbors have shared about Ivana since her death, it is clear to see that she has left a lasting legacy on all those who knew and loved her. Rest in peace, Ivana.