When Ivana Trump unexpectedly passed away in July 2022, where she was laid to rest surprised many people. The former model, businesswoman, and first wife of Donald Trump was buried at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. At first, this choice seemed very personal. However, as time went on, it became apparent that Ivana’s grave, located just past the first tee, might have had a purpose beyond just sentiment. It could be part of a larger, more calculated plan involving farmland loopholes, cemetery designations, and significant tax benefits.
Ivana, who was 73 when she died from injuries after a fall in her Manhattan home, had always been close to the Trump family. Her passing brought heartfelt tributes from Donald and their three children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric—who celebrated her strength, style, and dedication as a mother and grandmother. Her burial took place soon after her death, and by the time people noticed the unusual burial site, the decision had already been made.
Her grave, which looks plain and is surrounded by white flowers, is situated at the back of the golf course, far enough away from the game that most golfers won’t notice it. It’s a peaceful and private place that feels personal, but if you look more closely, you’ll see it has another purpose too.
Donald Trump had been planning a cemetery at Bedminster for over ten years.
In 2012, news came out that he wanted to create a family mausoleum on the land. The idea changed as time went on, starting as a private tomb, then becoming a family cemetery with 10 plots, and eventually turning into a large public burial ground with 284 plots. Papers from the Trump Family Trust also revealed that they were looking into another property in New Jersey to gain nonprofit cemetery status, which would provide significant tax advantages.
According to New Jersey law, land designated for cemeteries is mostly free from various taxes, including property, income, sales, business, and even inheritance taxes. Nonprofit cemetery organizations do not have to pay taxes on the land they oversee. Additionally, by officially marking parts of a golf course for cemetery purposes, a large section of the property can avoid regular taxes.
However, getting this plan approved was challenging. Bedminster is a beautiful and upscale township known for its rolling hills and fancy homes. It’s not exactly a place that wants to have mausoleums or chapels by the road. Donald’s initial idea for a big mausoleum was turned down. But with the assistance of consultants and former town officials, he made his proposal smaller and got the green light for a more subtle plan: up to 500 graves, as long as they were kept out of view.
The updated plan allowed club members, who reportedly paid $150,000 to join and $20,000 each year in dues, to be buried on the property. Ed Russo, a consultant for Donald, mentioned that the burial area would be small, with only one or two burials happening each year. A nonprofit organization would oversee the cemetery, which could help lower the Trump Organization’s property taxes for that land.
At the same time, Donald had already discovered other clever ways to reduce taxes on the property. For instance, he claimed that part of the estate was farmland because mulch was made from trees on the property. This strategy gave him a huge tax break—on one piece of land worth $461,000, he only paid $16.31 in property taxes. Overall, by using farmland assessments on nearly 184 acres of the resort, he saved more than $88,000 each year.
Everything about Ivana’s burial at the golf course seemed less like a sudden tribute and more like a clever plan to ensure the estate could be classified as a cemetery.
For the Trump family, the site was also significant on a personal level. Donald had previously mentioned his desire to be buried there, calling the Bedminster property a place where people “respect each other.” While some critics doubted whether Ivana’s burial was done out of genuine feelings or for financial reasons, it might have been a mix of both.
Ultimately, Ivana Trump’s burial site turned into more than just a place to rest; it marked the conclusion of a long-term plan regarding land use that had been developing quietly for years. Whether this was driven by emotions, a desire to leave a legacy, or a clever method to safeguard assets remains uncertain. However, it is clear that her burial made a bold vision come to life—where feelings of loss, real estate, and tax regulations all came together on the lush fairways of a golf course in New Jersey.