Melania Trump

ABOUT

Melania Trump, born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, is a Slovenian-American former model and businesswoman who served as the First Lady of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021. She is married to Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States. Melania is recognized for her sophisticated style, charitable work, and her 'Be Best' initiative, which focuses on the well-being of children, including social media use and opioid abuse prevention.

BEFORE FAME

Melania Knavs was born in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, then part of Yugoslavia, and grew up in Sevnica. Her father, Viktor Knavs, managed car and motorcycle dealerships for a state-owned vehicle manufacturer, and her mother, Amalija, was a patternmaker at a children's clothing manufacturer. Melania developed an interest in fashion from a young age, influenced by her mother’s profession.

She began her modeling career at the age of 16 and was signed to a modeling agency in Milan at 18. Melania worked in the fashion industry in cities like Milan and Paris before moving to New York City in 1996. In New York, she achieved success quickly, appearing on the covers of several magazines including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and InStyle.

TRIVIA

• Melania is the second First Lady born outside the United States; the first was Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams.
• She is fluent in several languages: Slovenian, English, French, Serbian, and German.
• Melania obtained a green card for permanent residency in the United States in 2001 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2006.

FAMILY LIFE

Melania met Donald Trump at a party in 1998, and the couple married in an opulent ceremony at The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2005. Their wedding was attended by numerous celebrities, and Melania wore a custom-made Christian Dior gown. In March 2006, she gave birth to their son, Barron William Trump. Melania has stated that Barron is her highest priority and she is actively involved in his education and upbringing.

ASSOCIATED WITH

Throughout her tenure as First Lady, Melania was associated with numerous high-profile figures and causes. Her 'Be Best' initiative was launched in the company of several prominent personalities advocating for children's welfare. As the spouse of President Donald Trump, she inevitably found herself in the political limelight, often at high-profile events attended by global leaders and dignitaries.

Melania Trump remains a figure of fascination and significance, both for her historic role as First Lady and her varied contributions to fashion and philanthropy.