Ivanka Trump recently shared an emotional journey, revealing how she turned to professional mental health support following the unexpected passing of her mother, Ivana Trump. In an episode of the Diary of a CEO podcast, the former first daughter, now 44, opened up about her struggle with grief and the heartache of her three children missing the chance to truly connect with their grandmother.
During the podcast, Ivanka expressed that talking about her mother often brought her to tears, a reminder of the deep emotional impact of the loss. She confessed to initially avoiding these feelings, only to later confront them head-on with the help of therapy. This decision came after a particularly challenging time in her life, as her husband, Jared Kushner, faced a second cancer surgery, and Ivana’s death followed closely thereafter.
“I wanted to make sure I’m really good at being tough,” Ivanka explained, highlighting her determination to manage these personal challenges effectively.
Amidst her sorrow, Ivanka spoke about the joy of having her 99-year-old grandmother, Babi, living with her family in Miami. She described it as a blessing to have Babi there, sharing stories of the past and keeping the memory of Ivana alive for her children, who unfortunately will not have the chance to know their grandmother firsthand.
Reflecting on the loss, Ivanka noted that losing a parent is a unique kind of pain, especially when it happens unexpectedly. She remarked on how the post-COVID world added to the sense of loss, as the pandemic had already taken away precious years they could have spent together.
‘Losing a parent – it hits different,’ she added, ‘especially unexpectedly, especially post-COVID because it robbed us of so many years.’
Ivana, 73, was found unconscious at the bottom of the stairs at her Manhattan home and died that same day in July 2022 – Ivanka was living in Washington, DC at the time.
Kushner had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer while working in the White House in 2019 and underwent a second surgery in August 2022.
Ivanka Trump broke down in tears recalling her late mother Ivana in a raw and emotional podcast appearance, revealing she sought professional mental health help after her tragic death
Ivanka and Ivana at the 25th Anniversary Party for Studio 54 in New York on April 24, 2002
The mother and daughter attend Cooks for Kids II Benefit in New York on November 1, 1994
Ivana was married to Donald Trump from 1977 to 1992. She was his first wife
The President, Melania Trump, Barron Trump, Jared Kushner, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump, Jr and Eric Trump at Ivana’s funeral on July 20, 2022, in New York City
Ivana, who married Donald Trump in 1977, was born in what is now the Czech Republic and built a high-profile career as a model and businesswoman in New York.
She and the President had three children together – Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric – before divorcing in 1992.
Ivanka also discussed watching ‘in real time’ the harrowing assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024.
‘I was horrified and I was scared, and I was protective of my children,’ she said.
Ivanka said she somehow sensed her father would pull through as she watched Secret Service agents haul him to the ground after a bullet grazed his ear.
‘I didn’t believe that the worst possible outcome had transpired, thank God,’ Ivanka said. ‘And thank God, it hadn’t.’
She said she saw him at around 2am as he returned from hospital to his Bedminster estate in New Jersey.
‘You can’t take things for granted in this life, and I’ve learned that in numerous ways,’ Ivanka added.
Ivanka also discussed watching ‘in real time’ the harrowing assassination attempt on her father at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July 2024
Trump grabs his ear after he was shot in Butler, Pennsylvania
She said she bore no hatred for those who had tried to harm her father – a second gunman attempted to shoot Trump at his golf club in Florida just months later.
‘What does that accomplish being negative towards the world?’ Ivanka said. ‘There’s a lot of sickness, and I think that forgiveness is a difficult thing, but his living was a blessing.’
Ivanka has rarely given interviews since stepping back from politics in 2022, keeping a low profile as she focused on family life.
Her husband remains a prominent figure as Trump’s peace envoy in the Middle East, currently leading negotiations with Iran alongside Vice President JD Vance and Steve Witkoff.
Ivanka said the couple’s three children have been her priority as she built a quieter life away from the spotlight.
Her last major interview came on Lex Fridman’s podcast on July 2, 2024, where she discussed her decision to step back from politics – just 11 days before her father was shot in Butler.
