A resurfaced interview from a past CBS Sunday Morning segment has reignited public interest in the complicated relationships within Donald Trump’s family, revealing candid remarks from his first wife, Ivana Trump, about his subsequent marriages. The interview, which has circulated online following its republication by multiple outlets in October 2025, captures Ivana’s stark preference for Trump’s third wife, Melania, over his second wife, Marla Maples.
In the interview with CBS correspondent Jim Axelrod, Ivana drew a sharp distinction between the two women who came after her in Trump’s romantic life. When asked about her feelings toward Melania and Maples, Ivana stated, “One is a nobody, the other is First Lady.” The comment reflected her acknowledgment of Melania’s prominent position while dismissing Maples, who was married to Trump from 1993 to 1999.
Ivana’s relationship with Trump began in the 1970s when the couple became fixtures of New York society. They married in 1977 and remained together until 1990, when their contentious divorce followed revelations of Trump’s affair with Maples. The couple had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. Despite the acrimonious end to their marriage, Ivana and Trump maintained a relationship for the sake of their children, who became prominent figures during their father’s political campaigns.
When pressed about Maples specifically during the CBS interview, Ivana made clear her unwillingness to engage in any meaningful discussion about Trump’s second wife. She referred to Maples as a showgirl who had never accomplished anything of substance in life, refusing to elaborate further. The correspondent observed that Ivana seemed to place blame for the affair squarely on Maples while effectively exonerating Trump from responsibility.
Ivana’s explanation for this perspective revealed her view of Trump as a passive participant in the infidelity. She claimed that women constantly pursued Trump, suggesting he received thousands of business cards from admirers each night and could have chosen any woman he wanted. According to Ivana, Maples was actively flirting and managed to succeed in capturing Trump’s attention, where others failed.
The interview highlighted the lasting impact of the affair on Ivana’s feelings toward Maples. Axelrod noted during the segment that while Ivana would never forgive Trump’s second wife, she harbored no similar animosity toward Melania. This distinction appeared to stem partly from Melania’s status as first lady, which Ivana seemed to respect as a legitimate accomplishment, in contrast to her characterization of Maples as someone who had achieved nothing noteworthy.
The 1990 divorce between Ivana and Trump became one of the most publicized marital dissolutions of that era, playing out in tabloids and capturing national attention. The separation followed Trump’s relationship with Maples, who was working as an actress and model at the time. Trump and Maples married in 1993 and had one daughter, Tiffany, before divorcing six years later.
Despite the bitter circumstances surrounding their split, Ivana and Trump demonstrated the ability to maintain a working relationship centered on their children. All three of their offspring appeared prominently during Trump’s first presidential campaign, a development that clearly brought Ivana considerable pride according to the CBS interview. The children went on to take active roles in their father’s administration and business dealings.
Ivana passed away in 2022 at age 73. At her funeral, Trump spoke positively about his former wife, describing her as someone who never gave up and took nothing for granted. He acknowledged her role as the mother of three of his children and the lasting bond they maintained despite their divorce more than three decades earlier.
The resurfaced interview offers insight into the complex family dynamics that have characterized Trump’s personal life. Ivana’s comments illustrate how the passage of time and changing circumstances can shape perspectives on past relationships. Her acceptance of Melania, contrasted with her ongoing resentment toward Maples, demonstrates the enduring impact of the affair that ended her marriage while also revealing a pragmatic acknowledgment of current realities.