Melania Knauss Trump
Personal Information
Physical Attributes
Family Members
Social Media
Location Information
Additional Information
Biography
Melania Trump
Melania Trump (born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970) is a Slovenian-American former model who served as First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021 as the wife of Donald Trump, the 45th president. The only First Lady born outside the U.S. in modern history, Melania maintained a relatively low public profile compared to her predecessors, focusing on initiatives like her "Be Best" campaign against cyberbullying while often generating controversy through her fashion choices and private demeanor.
Early Life in Slovenia
Born in Novo Mesto, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia), Melania was raised in the small industrial town of Sevnica. Her father Viktor Knavs was a car dealer, and her mother Amalija worked at a textile factory. She attended Secondary School of Design and Photography in Ljubljana, showing early artistic talent.
Modeling Career Beginnings
| Year | Milestone | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | First modeling contract at 16 | Ljubljana |
| 1992 | Won "Look of the Year" contest | Italy |
| 1996 | Moved to New York | United States |
| 2000 | Appeared in Sports Illustrated | New York |
Relationship with Donald Trump
First Meeting
Met Donald Trump at a party during New York Fashion Week when she was 28 and he was 52. Reportedly rejected his initial advances by giving him her business number instead of personal contact.
Engagement
Trump proposed with a 15-carat diamond ring worth $1.5 million after five years of dating. The couple had been living together at Trump Tower.
Wedding
Married in a lavish ceremony at Episcopal Church in Palm Beach followed by reception at Mar-a-Lago. The wedding dress reportedly cost $100,000.
Son Barron Born
Gave birth to Barron William Trump, her only child and Donald Trump's fifth. Became U.S. citizen the same year.
First Ladyship (2017-2021)
"Be Best" Initiative
Melania's signature campaign focused on three pillars:
- Child well-being (especially opioid crisis)
- Social media responsibility
- Opioid abuse prevention
Controversies and Highlights
| Event | Year | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| "I Really Don't Care" Jacket | 2018 | Wore controversial jacket while visiting migrant children | White House Renovation | 2017-2020 | Spent $1.75 million on redesign |
| Christmas Decorations | 2018 | Blood-red trees criticized as "creepy" |
| COVID-19 Response | 2020 | Faced criticism for delayed public messaging |
Post-White House Life
Since leaving Washington, Melania has:
- Launched a NFT venture in 2022 featuring digital artwork
- Maintained low public profile at Mar-a-Lago
- Reportedly negotiated prenup revisions in 2017 and 2022
- Occasionally appeared at Trump political events
Public Image and Legacy
Key Characteristics
Personality
- Private and reserved
- Fluent in 5 languages
- Known for stoic demeanor
Fashion
- Wore $51,000 coat on Egypt trip
- Known for bold sartorial choices
- Frequently wore European designers
Cultural Impact
- Only immigrant First Lady since 1825
- First former fashion model as FLOTUS
- Maintained unusual independence
Conclusion
Melania Trump remains one of the most enigmatic modern First Ladies, maintaining her privacy while navigating the spotlight with quiet determination. Her journey from small-town Slovenia to the White House represents a remarkable immigrant story, even as her tenure was marked by controversies and an often tense relationship with the media. As she continues her post-Washington life, Melania's legacy reflects both the changing role of presidential spouses and the enduring complexities of the Trump family narrative.