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Ivana Trump, ex-wife of US tycoon Donald Trump, arrived in Bahrain today to develop plans for a real-estate project in the kingdom.
The former vice-president of interior design for the Trump Organisation has been selected to do interior design work on a number of high-profile apartments, duplexes and penthouses in the region in recent months.
She has travelled from Dubai with her business partner Ahsan Hassan Darvesh, a director of the Darvesh Group, a leading timber and construction enterprise.
She revealed on her website: "I just love multitasking ... if you have plans to visit Dubai and Bahrain (and more people go every year), then you'll find IVANA HOTELS & CONDOMINIUMS there.
"I just signed deals in the two major tourist and business places. And, inside each property you'll find Ivana Spas, restaurants, business centres, etc. The rooms will also have IVANA amenities to start and end each night on a romantic, luxurious high. Each building will be 80-100 storeys tall. Isn't that amazing?"
A close contact of Ms Trump's told GulfWeekly: "She will be meeting VIPs and people from the government to arrange certain legalities as it seems she has found something in Bahrain - her eye is on something.
"Although she might have a few other opportunities popping up during her stay, her main concern is a real estate venture.
"Ivana is coming in with her signature designs and wants to experience what living in Bahrain is like. She wants to get a feel for the place which is very much a part of her design work."
Ivana has recently been putting her design touches to a luxury residential tower which will be built by a Dubai-based real estate developing company in downtown Beirut.
Born in Czechoslovakia, she worked as a model for some of Canada's top fur companies. In 1976, she moved to New York, divorced her school sweetheart and met Donald J Trump, son of prominent real estate developer, Fred Trump.
In 1977, she married Donald in a lavish society wedding. The Trumps became leading figures in New York high society and business during the 1980s.
They set to work on several massive projects, including the construction of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
They had three children: Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka and Eric.
Ivana took a major role in the Trump Organisation becoming the vice-president of Interior Design for the company, spearheading the signature design of Trump Tower. Afterwards, Donald appointed her to head up the Taj Mahal Hotel and Casino as president.
In the late 1980s, Trump decided to leave Atlantic City in order to devote more time to her family. However, Donald asked her to oversee the restoration of the landmark Plaza Hotel, and she took over as its president. She was named Hotelier of the Year in 1970. Trump's work at the Plaza would be the zenith of her work within the Trump Organisation.
Towards the end of that year, rumours began to circulate that Donald was having an affair with a former beauty queen, Marla Maples.
The divorce battle fuelled extensive pieces in the gossip columns. The situation was resolved after the sudden death of Ivana's father from a massive heart attack. The Trumps stood side by side at the funeral and their divorce was settled soon after.
Although the settlement remains sealed by the courts it is rumoured that Ivana received $20 million, the $14 million family estate in Connecticut, a $5 million housing allowance, all of her jewellery and partial use of Mar-A-Lago, the family home in Palm Beach which also serves as a private club for the Palm Beach elite.
She played a cameo role in the Hollywood film The First Wives Club with the memorable line: "Remember girls, don't get mad, get everything."
Ivana is presently involved in a trademark dispute with Donald regarding the use of her name for use with real estate services.
