Ivana Trump was "like an angel" who was willing to help anyone regardless of their politics or religion, one of her close friends has shared with PEOPLE.
Zach Erdem, owner of the 75 Main restaurant in Southampton that features in the TV show Serving the Hamptons, describes Trump as an "incredible mom" who "raised incredible kids" as well as a great wife and advisor to former President Donald Trump.
"She was always supporting charities and everything. She was like an angel. Whoever needed help, she would be there. She didn't care about any politics or religion or whatever, she was ready to help whoever needed it," Erdem says during an interview about Ivana's passing at 73 on Thursday.
"I don't really usually get close to people, but when you find good people, you're always attracted to good people. And I always said she was kind of like a mother to me," he adds.
Erdem first met Ivana in 2003 when he was a busboy at a high-end restaurant in New York City who did not speak much English. He eventually left the restaurant and opened 75 Main in the Hamptons in 2010.
One day I'm sitting in my restaurant with a couple friends and this lady walks in, I get up, I hug her before even saying any words. It was like, so crazy. I saw her like, I missed her. I hadn't seen her in a couple years," he recalls. "And I hugged her very strong like you're missing your mom. She was like, 'Darling, I heard that you own this place. Let's sit down.' We sat down and had a great time."