Melania Trump, born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia), is a Slovenian-American former model who has served as the First Lady of the United States twice, first from 2017 to 2021 during her husband Donald Trump’s first term as the 45th President, and again starting from 2025 following his election as the 47th President.
She is the second foreign-born first lady of the United States after Louisa Adams and the first naturalized U.S. citizen to hold the position.
Early Life and Education
Raised in Sevnica, Slovenia, Melania grew up in a modest family where her father, Viktor Knavs, was a car salesman, and her mother, Amalija, was a pattern maker in a textile factory.
She attended the Secondary School of Design and Photography in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, where she studied design and architecture.
After one year at the University of Ljubljana, she left to pursue a career in modeling, which began in Slovenia at the age of 16.
Melania Trump’s Modeling Career
Her modeling career took off in Milan and Paris, leading her to New York in 1996, where she was sponsored by Paolo Zampolli’s modeling agency.
Under the name Melania Knauss, she graced the covers of several magazines, including Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and appeared in campaigns for brands like Revlon, and in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2000.
Her multilingual capabilities (Slovenian, English, French, Italian, German, and Serbo-Croatian) aided her international modeling career.
Marriage and Family
Melania met Donald Trump in 1998 at a fashion industry party in New York City. After a long courtship, they married on January 22, 2005, at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Their son, Barron Trump, was born on March 20, 2006, which coincided with Melania becoming a U.S. citizen.
Known for her private nature, Melania maintained a low profile, focusing on her family alongside her career in modeling and later launching her own jewelry and skincare lines.
Role as First Lady
During her husband’s first term, Melania initially stayed in New York to allow Barron to finish his school year before moving to the White House in June 2017.
Her official initiative as First Lady, “Be Best,” launched in 2018, focused on children’s well-being, addressing issues like cyberbullying, opioid abuse, and promoting kindness.
She undertook numerous international trips, including a solo journey to Africa in 2018 to promote USAID programs, and hosted various state dinners and public events.
Her tenure was marked by both praise and criticism; while some appreciated her efforts in child welfare, others critiqued her fashion choices or perceived lack of engagement in political issues.
However, Melania was noted for her influence behind the scenes, reportedly advising her husband on staff decisions.
Post-White House and Second Term
After Donald Trump’s first presidency ended in 2021, Melania largely retreated from public life, focusing on her family and personal initiatives.
She was involved in philanthropy, particularly through “Fostering the Future,” an extension of her “Be Best” campaign aimed at supporting foster children with scholarships.
In 2024, she published her memoir, “Melania,” which became a bestseller, reflecting on her life and experiences.
With Donald Trump’s re-election in 2024, Melania has returned to the White House as First Lady, continuing her advocacy for children and families, which has now expanded to include digital literacy and online safety in response to growing technology use among the youth.
Public Perception and Legacy
Melania Trump’s public persona has often been described as enigmatic and reserved.
Her time as First Lady has been characterized by a focus on her role as a mother and advocate for children, while navigating the political landscape with a more private and selective public engagement approach compared to many of her predecessors.
Her journey from a small town in Slovenia to one of the most recognized women in the world underscores her unique place in U.S. history.
Frequently Asked Questions on Melania Trump
1. Who is Melania Trump?
Melania Trump is the wife of former President Donald Trump and served as First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and again starting in 2025. She is a Slovenian-American former model and businesswoman.
2. Where was Melania Trump born?
She was born in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, which was part of Yugoslavia at the time of her birth on April 26, 1970.
3. What was Melania Trump’s profession before becoming First Lady?
Melania worked as an international fashion model, appearing in magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and in campaigns for brands like Revlon.
4. How did Melania Trump meet Donald Trump?
Melania met Donald Trump in 1998 at a party in New York City organized by fashion industry contacts.
5. When did Melania and Donald Trump get married?
They were married on January 22, 2005, at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
6. How many children do Melania and Donald Trump have?
They have one son together named Barron Trump, born on March 20, 2006.
7. What is Melania Trump’s initiative as First Lady?
Her main initiative is called “Be Best,” which focuses on children’s well-being, including issues like cyberbullying, opioid abuse, and fostering kindness.
8. When did Melania Trump become a U.S. citizen?
Melania became a naturalized U.S. citizen in July 2006.
9. Has Melania Trump written any books?
Yes, she published her memoir titled “Melania” in October 2024.
10. What languages does Melania Trump speak?
Melania is multilingual, speaking Slovenian, English, French, Italian, German, and Serbo-Croatian.
11. What controversies has Melania Trump been involved in?
She was notably involved in a controversy over a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention that contained plagiarized elements from Michelle Obama’s previous speech.
12. What is Melania Trump’s net worth?
While exact figures are private, her net worth is often speculated to be significant due to her modeling career, business ventures, and association with Donald Trump’s wealth.
13. How does Melania Trump view her role as First Lady?
Melania has described her role as one where she advocates for children and families, often preferring a more private approach to her public duties.
14. What was Melania Trump’s response to the family separation policy?
She publicly opposed the policy and influenced her husband to end the practice of separating families at the border.
15. Does Melania Trump have a college degree?
Melania studied at the University of Ljubljana for one year but did not complete a degree, choosing instead to pursue modeling.
16. How has Melania Trump influenced fashion?
Known for her chic and elegant style, Melania has influenced fashion through her public appearances, often wearing high-end designers and setting trends.
17. Has Melania Trump ever worked in politics before being First Lady?
No, she had no political experience before becoming First Lady, though she supported her husband’s political campaigns.
18. What are Melania Trump’s views on abortion?
In her memoir, she expresses support for a woman’s right to choose, which contrasts with some Republican stances.
19. What is Melania Trump’s stance on cyberbullying?
As part of her “Be Best” initiative, she has actively campaigned against cyberbullying, aiming to educate children on responsible digital behavior.
20. How did Melania Trump handle her husband’s presidency?
She maintained a private life while fulfilling her First Lady duties, often focusing on her family and selected public engagements.
21. What charities does Melania Trump support?
Melania has supported various children’s charities, focusing on education, health, and well-being, notably through her “Be Best” campaign.
22. What did Melania Trump do after leaving the White House?
She continued her advocacy work, launched new initiatives like “Fostering the Future,” and wrote her memoir.
23. How has Melania Trump’s public image changed over time?
Initially seen as an enigmatic figure, her image has evolved to show more of her advocacy work, though she remains somewhat private.
24. What is Melania Trump’s educational background?
She attended the Secondary School of Design and Photography in Ljubljana and studied architecture and design at the University of Ljubljana for one year.
25. How does Melania Trump manage her public appearances?
Melania is known for being selective with her public engagements, often appearing at significant events while maintaining a low media profile.
