Melania Trump

Melania Trump, born April 26, 1970, is the wife of President Donald J. Trump, serving as First Lady during his two terms in office. Born in Slovenia, she worked as a successful fashion model before her marriage to Trump and role in the White House. She is the mother of Barron Trump.

Early Life

Melania was born Melanija Knavs in Novo Mesto, Yugoslavia, now part of Slovenia. Her parents were Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs. She studied design and architecture at the University of Ljubljana before pursuing a career in modeling.

Modeling Career

Melania had a successful career as a fashion model, working with prestigious fashion houses in Paris and Milan. In 1996, she relocated to Manhattan, and continued her modeling career. In 1998, she met Donald Trump, then known as a New York real estate mogul, and the two began dating shortly after. She continued her modeling career in the early years of their relationship.

Relationship and Marriage to Donald Trump

Donald and Melania became a well-known New York City power couple and were frequently seen together at events and press appearances, boosting Melania’s fame. In 2000, the couple broke up but reunited months later. They moved into Trump Tower together in 2002 and were married in January 2005.

Trump’s Presidential Campaigns

Melania received further public attention as her husband ventured into politics. She has been supportive of Donald’s presidential runs, delivering speeches at the Republican National Conventions in 2016 and 2020, but has played a more low-key role than most presidential spouses. Many noted that she was largely absent from his 2024 campaign. She has defended her husband in the face of his many controversies, including the infamous Access Hollywood tape, his alleged affair with Stormy Daniels, and his false claims of election fraud in the 2020 election.

Children

Melania is the mother of one child, Barron Trump. She is known to be a very close and protective mother to her son, keeping him out of the spotlight when he was a child. When Donald Trump moved into the White House in 2016, Melania lived with Barron in New York so he could finish out his school year.

Role as First Lady

Melania’s main initiative as First Lady during Trump's first term was the “Be Best” campaign, which focused on well-being for youth and advocating cyberbullying. The campaign was widely criticized as hypocritical, given the president’s own tendency towards bullying.  She opposed the Trump administration’s family separation immigration policy.

Citizenship

Melania became a naturalized US citizen in 2006. She is the first naturalized citizen to serve as First Lady, and the first foreign-born First Lady since Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams.