Before she was First Lady Melania Trump, she was Melanija Knavs the daughter of a the daughter of a chauffeur-turned-car salesman father Viktor and fashion designer mother Amalija. It's been nearly 40 years since her first photoshoot after being 'discovered' in Slovenia, but what did the First Lady look like when she debuted on the modelling scene? Read on to see her transformation from early modelling star to White House resident...
© Sygma via Getty ImagesMelania met her future husband in 1998
Meeting Trump
Working as a high fashion model means a lot of glamorous parties, and it was at one of these events during New York Fashion week in 1998 that Melania met Trump.
They married in 2005 at The Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, with the bride donning a $100,000 Christian Dior gown, complete with a 16-foot veil. The couple welcomed a son, Barron, in 2006.
Early career
Born Melanija Knavs, Melania Trump (née Knauss) was born in Slovenia. She was 'discovered' at just 16 years old by a Slovenian photographer and posed for one of her first photo shoots in 1987. Two years later, when the future First Lady was 18, she signed with a Milan modelling agency and flew around Europe and the US for high-profile ad campaigns.
Her former roommate Victoria Silvstedt revealed details of Melania's strict fitness routine, explaining that they lived in a sixth floor apartment and would often run up the stairs after a light meal. She also detailed Melania's ambitions in the fashion world, saying that she admired Sophia Loren for her classic elegance and Italian glamour.
© Getty ImagesMelania has kept her involvement with policy private
First lady status
Melania Trump has held the title of First Lady twice, during her husband's first term as President and during his current term which began in 2024. During his first term, she delayed moving in to the White House, remaining in New York until Barron's school term ended.
She has kept her public involvement in politics minimal, telling GQ in 2016: "I chose not to go into politics and policy. Those policies are my husband's job." Melania reportedly does advice her husband but keeps the details on the down-low. "Nobody knows and nobody will ever know," she told the magazine. "Because that's between me and my husband."
© Getty ImagesMelania firmly denied having any cosmetic procedures or injections in 2016
Cosmetic procedure rumours
The First Lady has denied having any cosmetic procedures, telling GQ: "I didn't make any changes. A lot of people say I am using all the procedures for my face. I didn't do anything. I live a healthy life."
"I take care of my skin and my body. I'm against Botox, I'm against injections," she said. "I think it's damaging your face, damaging your nerves. It's all me. I will age gracefully, as my mom does."
© Getty ImagesBarron keeps himself largely out of the public eye
Only son Barron
Born on 20 March 2006, Barron Trump is the only child of Melania and Donald Trump. He prefers to keep out of the spotlight, though he is easily spotted out in public, standing at around 6'9" tall.
Details around his private life are sparse, though reports from those close to him suggest he has a good social life at New York University and in mid-2025 he was rumoured to have a girlfriend.
© Getty ImagesMelania is also a step-mother to Trump's four children from previous relationships
Step-mother of four
As well as her only son Barron, Melania is a step-mother to four children from Donald Trump's previous marriages to Marla Maples and his first wife Ivana Trump.
Donald welcomed three children with Ivana during their marriage: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric. In his second marriage to Marla, he welcomed a daughter, Tiffany.
