If there’s one thing I could say about Ivana Trump, Donald Trump’s late first wife, it’s that she sure as hell liked a lot of pink. The color features prominently throughout the townhouse where she died. Especially in one ultra-ornate bathroom that’s also bedecked with gold leaf, glass, and crystal. Perhaps all this gaudiness is deterring buyers because Ivana’s New York City townhouse is still on the market nearly two years after she died.
The swanky townhome was initially listed for $26.5 million in November 2022, four months after the businesswoman died at 73 after falling down a staircase inside the home People [1] reported previously. It’s possible that prospective buyers are spooked about the fact that someone died inside the home. Or perhaps they just don’t like the fact that it looks this gaudy.
The price was slashed down to $22.5 million in September 2023 and then removed from the market altogether last November, property records report. It wound up being listed again in June at the drastically reduced price of $19.5 million.
According to records, Ivana, who was married to Donald Trump from 1977 to 1992, purchased the townhouse the same year that she and her husband split. The couple shared three children — Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric.
The six-story townhome has five bedrooms and five full bathrooms. It’s located in the tony Lenox Hill neighborhood of Manhattan. Inside the home, a gated elevator brings guests to every level. And there are other grand curved staircases as well. Other touches include huge windows that overlook the interior courtyard inside the Versailles-themed dining room.
There are plenty of other lavish touches — a crystal chandelier and silk wallpaper are found throughout the first floor while a gold-embossed marble fireplace graces the second-floor living room. French doors that open out to the private terrace can also be found in the luxurious primary bedroom on the third floor. Like I said, that bathroom is very, very pink: Clad entirely in pink onyx marble and it includes a large soaking tub.
Hmmm, and why wouldn’t someone just grab up that townhouse asap? Jonathan Miller, president of Miller Samuel Inc., which is a real estate appraisal and consulting firm, in an interview with CNBC said the townhome is overpriced.
The Pepto-Bismol decor probably isn’t helping, either.
“The highly personalized interior decor of this townhouse is also probably contributing to the marketing delay since,” Miller noted.
Apparently, the average time a New York townhouse sits on the market is typically five and a half months, Miller said.
Ivana died from blunt force injuries to her torso when she fell, according to the New York City Examiner’s Office. Her death is considered an accident and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
A funeral Mass was held for her in New York City and was attended by Trump and their kids. An altar adorned with red roses and 73 candles to celebrate every year of her life. She was buried in a private plot at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump spends many of his summers. She rests in peace in a forgotten part of the Golf Club, and this is rather sad when you consider that this woman spent so much time caring for children and catering to her husband’s whims.
It’s as if this is a case of out of sight, out of mind.
I’m sure many potential buyers are also thinking of the extensive renovations they may need to do, in addition to the high property taxes, and that would be enough to turn them off.
Evan Joseph Photography
