5:03 PM PT -- Police sources tell TMZ ... A female employee of Ivana arrived at Ivana's residence, unlocked the door, walked inside and discovered Ivana at the second-floor staircase on the right side -- she was not breathing.
1:54 PM PT -- Eric Trump and his wife, Lara, just left the apartment building.
1:46 PM PT -- Cops were seen outside her NYC apartment shortly after the news was announced.
12:56 PM PT -- Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, the NYPD got a call just after 12:30 PM ET saying Ivana had gone into cardiac arrest.
Donald Trump's first wife, Ivana Trump, has died.
Donald Trump said, "I am very saddened to inform all of those that loved her, of which there were many, that Ivana Trump has passed away at her home in New York City. She was a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life. Her pride and joy were her three children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. She was so proud of them as we were all so proud of her. Rest In Peace, Ivana!"
Ivana and Trump got married in 1977 and went on to have 3 kids, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric. Their breakup made national and tabloid news ... Donald was having an affair with Marla Maples and Ivana was furious.
There was an epic confrontation when Ivana saw Marla on the slopes in Aspen.
Ivana and Trump divorced in 1992.
Before the divorce, Ivana was in charge of remodeling the famed Plaza Hotel in New York City. During the divorce, Donald famously locked Ivana out of her office at the Plaza.
Their nasty split inspired the 1996 film "First Wives Club," in which Ivana had a cameo role and delivered the classic line ... "Don't get mad, get everything."
Ivana was born in Czechoslovakia in 1949. She was a skiing prodigy and a model before coming to the U.S. Because of her skiing prowess, she was allowed to get an Austrian passport and leave the Communist Eastern bloc -- first for Canada and then to the U.S.
She also created lines of clothing, jewelry and beauty products which she sold and promoted on QVC.
Despite their ugly public breakup, Ivana and Donald maintained a bond because of their kids, and she supported his run for the White House, saying ... "He'll be a great President."
After the divorce, Ivana married twice more -- she was divorced once before she married Trump -- and divorced her subsequent husbands.
Ivana was 73. RIP
Originally Published -- 12:46 PM PT