Melania Trump, born Melanija Knavs in Slovenia in 1970, is a former fashion model who became the 47th First Lady of the United States. She immigrated to America in 1996, married Donald Trump in 2005, and became a naturalized citizen in 2006. As First Lady from 2017-2021 and again starting in 2025, she launched the “BE BEST” initiative focusing on children’s well-being and social media responsibility. Her unique background encompasses modeling, business ventures, and philanthropic work that shaped her public profile.
Melania Trump, born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, stands as a distinctive figure in American political history, having served as First Lady during two non-consecutive presidential terms from 2017 to 2021 and again beginning in 2025. Her parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, provided a middle-class upbringing in Sevnica, Slovenia, where her father managed car and motorcycle dealerships while her mother worked as a patternmaker at a textile factory.
Melania Trump made history as the only First Lady to serve two non-consecutive terms, bringing her Slovenian heritage to American politics.
Melania’s professional journey began at age 16 when she entered the modeling industry while still attending school, later changing her name spelling to Melania Knauss for career purposes. After studying design, she pursued modeling opportunities across Europe, working in Paris and Milan before immigrating to the United States in 1996 with sponsorship from modeling agent Paolo Zampolli. Her modeling career flourished in Manhattan, where she appeared in magazines, television advertisements, and high-profile fashion campaigns. She was discovered by photographer Stane Jerko at age sixteen during a school-sponsored fashion show, though she initially wanted to be a fashion designer rather than a model. She attended the University of Ljubljana for one year before deciding to pursue modeling full-time.
The trajectory of her life changed greatly when she met Donald Trump at a New York fashion event in 1998, leading to their marriage on January 22, 2005, at Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach, Florida. The couple welcomed their son, Barron Trump, in 2006, the same year Melania obtained US citizenship, making her the only naturalized citizen to serve as First Lady and the second foreign-born First Lady after Louisa Adams.
During her tenure as First Lady, Melania launched the “BE BEST” initiative in 2018, focusing on children’s well-being, responsible social media use, and combating opioid abuse. Her unique distinction includes being the only First Lady to serve two non-consecutive terms, following Frances Cleveland’s precedent, and the second Roman Catholic First Lady after Jacqueline Kennedy.
Beyond her political role, Melania established business ventures including Melania Trump Timepieces & Jewelry in 2010 and her “Melania” jewelry brand in 2009. Her philanthropic efforts encompassed serving as Goodwill Ambassador for the American Red Cross from 2005 to 2009, holding leadership positions with the Boys’ Club of New York and American Heart Association, and receiving recognition as Woman of the Year from the Police Athletic League in 2006.
Notably multilingual, Melania speaks Slovenian, English, French, Italian, German, and Serbian, reflecting her European heritage and international background. Her residence at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, serves as the family’s primary home, where she continues her public and philanthropic activities while maintaining her role as wife and mother.
