Newly Released Documents Reveal Secret FBI Investigation of Ivana Trump

Billionaire Donald Trump and his wife, Ivana, arrive at a social engagement in New York on Dec. 4, 1989. (Swerzey/AFP/Getty Images)

Ivana Trump, the first wife of former President Donald Trump, was under FBI investigation in the late 1980s and early 1990s according to recent documents obtained by Bloomberg under the Freedom of Information Act.

The heavily-redacted documents (pdf) reveal that the investigation involved agency assets from Canada and Europe. Based on information given, there were sources feeding information to agents, while the department was procuring data from Ivana Trump’s life in Czechoslovakia, her emigration to Canada, and work status in the United States.

Although the reason for initiating the investigation remains unknown, the agency said that some of the related files were destroyed, and hundreds of others are being studied by other government departments, according to Bloomberg.

The FBI confirmed that nearly 900 pages were located concerning Ivana Trump, and claimed that it would take at least five years before they were released. Bloomberg had to sue the agency for the speedy release of 190 pages on March 27.

The Investigation Files

The set of records start with a heavily redacted Feb. 14, 1989, document that states a source “has advised” something, and “based upon the above information it is recommended that a Preliminary Inquiry be opened on Ivana Trump.”

A document dated March 1, 1989, revealed Ivana Trump’s name before marrying Donald Trump was Ivana Winkelmayr.

“Ivana met Donald in 1975 on a ski trip and married him in 1977,” the document states. “Ivana was a former Olympic skier prior to her marriage to Trump.”

A document dated March 7, 1989, shows that the preliminary inquiry was initiated Feb. 22, 1989, and set to expire on June 23, 1989.

Another document stated, “Bureau is requested to conducted [sic] indices search on Ivana Trump and provide all information to office of origin,” with the Washington Metropolitan Field Office given as a lead.

An identity card was included in the files with Ivana Trump’s personal information such as date of birth and address, and employer name—The Trump Organization—and party enrollment given as “Republican.”

A March 13, 1989, document revealed more details about the subject.

“A review of the January 16, 1989 Time magazine article ‘Trump’ revealed that Ivana was raised in Czech, the child of an electrical engineer. She graduated from Charles University, moved to Canada, and became a model (No time frame). She and Donald Trump met in 1976 at the Montreal Summer olympics. They were married in April, 1977 by Norman Vincent Peale. They have a weekend cottage in Greenwich, Connecticut.”

Another document with the same date states that Ivana was born in Vienna.

“She was the alternate for the Czech Olympic ski team before migrating to Montreal, Canada when she became a fashion model. They met at a reception for the Olympic athletes. In addition to their home at Trump Towers, they have a 110 room home in Mar-a-lago, Florida.”

Accusations Possibly Motivated by Jealousy

An unknown source was shown to provide a travel itinerary and other redacted information in a June 1988 letter from the FBI Washington Metropolitan Field Office to the FBI director.

A May 16, 1989, document states, “As part of the PI of subject, NY desires information from subject’s divorce record in Los Angeles, California.”

A May 22, 1989, document said, “On 2-22-89, a Preliminary Inquiry was initiated on Ivana Trump based on allegations made by [redacted].” Following the redactions, the document continued. “It is unknown if the allegations stem from jealousies of her wealth and fame. Investigation continuing.”

Documents then reveal more details into Ivana Trump’s family, her education, her move to Canada, her work status in the United States, permanent residency, and subsequent citizenship on May 25, 1988.

There were further official requests for information regarding Ivana Trump’s emigration, involvement or association with a redacted individual, marriage, employment details, and travel records.

When initially the investigation was said to conclude in June, later documents show that the investigation was prolonged into Sept. 22, 1989 with the justification for the extension given as “Awaiting results of outstanding leads from FBIHQ, Legats Ottawa and Bern.”

Further on, the investigation was extended to Dec. 30, 1989, then to March 30, 1990, and June 28, 1990.

A June 14, 1990, document stated that, “On 6-4-90, XXXX a highly confidential and reliable source advised that Trump had been in Czechoslovakia where she was given an autographed book by President Havel. It was possible that Ivana would again visit Czechoslovakia in July of 1990. She would be hosting a reception at the Plaza Hotel in June.”

The investigation was extended to Sept. 26, 1990, and a document said, “Per referenced communication, no outstanding leads remain. Therefore, no further investigation is being conducted by this office and it is considered closed.”

However, the subject being redacted, another document showed that a private investigation was initiated on July 19, 1990 to August 18, 1990. The document featured the words, “Barrandov Film Industry.”

Newspaper abstracts regarding Ivana Trump’s alleged business dealings were also attached with the file.

A document with investigation dates given from Sept. 17, 1990, to April 10, 1991, said, “Referenced communication delineate extensive investigation done to date into the activities of Jiri Mucha, (son of painter Alphonse Mucha), a leading member of Czechoslovak artistic/intellectual community, a some time ‘arranger’ of fortuitous relationships and/or marriages.”

Ivana Trump died in July 2022 from a fall in her New York home. She was 73, and the mother of Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr.

The remaining records are expected to be released in April, Bloomberg reported.