7 photos that show off Melania Trump's killer body — including her iconic Sports Illustrated shoot

The same year that Melania Knauss tied the knot with Donald and became Mrs Trump, she arrived to the Primetime Emmy Awards in a soft grey column gown with an empire waist.

Newly bound to her businessman husband, Melania didn't hesitate to make a statement, opting for a tone darker than her white wedding dress and several thin, floaty layers.

The Met Gala, officially known as the Costume Institute Benefit, is one of America's most notable fashion events. It only makes sense, then, that Donald would choose the moment they set off for the Met Ball to propose in 2004, which also happened to be Melania's 34th birthday.

The year later, Melania arrived to the Gala as a married woman in a black satin Alexander McQueen gown, bursting at the bottom with white tulle layers.

Five years before she was wed to Donald and, unknowingly, just over a decade away from becoming the First Lady, Melania modelled for Sports Illustrated magazine, a notable accomplishment for any pro model.

In 2000, then Melania Knauss was at the top of her game, posing in a swimsuit for the pages of Sports Illustrated and attending the issue's launch party in a dress that similarly showed off her figure.

Cutouts abounded at the Time 100 Gala in 2016 as Melania sported an otherwise conservative dress that showed some daring with a thigh-high slit and slash down from the collar. 

White doesn't have to be boring: Melania used the contrast to keep things subtle in the clinging floor-length gown that showed up well against the all-red backdrop.

There's nothing more 'of its time' than that particular shade of minty teal. In 2012, four years before her husband took office, Melania embraced the trending tone with a high-necked, floaty gown.

The lightweight fabric is clearly at its best when you add some movement and Melania expertly crossed her legs, shifting a length of the gown into a smooth draped segment by her side.

A pale pink, figure hugging dress might not be everyone's first thought when planning to attend an exhibition. However, in 2003 Melania was invited to the launch party for Manolo Blahnik's exhibition, with Anna Wintour as a host, meaning her outfit makes all kinds of sense.

The figure-hugging outfit kept things pared back, proving a good fit is worth more than any bejewelled frock. Simple straps stopped it from feeling fussy while the deep V neckline kept things playful, and a little on the saucier side.

Just a year before he moved into the White House, Donald Trump was still ruling the boardroom as a reality TV business coach on The Celebrity Apprentice. Alan Sugar for the other side of the Atlantic, Donald provided feedback for business hopefuls and celebs alike in the US Apprentice franchise.

His wife Melania showed up to support her husband at the season finale, held at Trump Towers. With a trendy A-line mini dress, Melania left her legs bare for the occasion, looking both at home and ready for a party.