Melania Trump’s Stunning Transformation From Model to First Lady
Years before Donald Trump had shown any intention of running for President, Melania mentioned in an interview that she believed her then-boyfriend was destined to fill the role. She also showed a keen interest in acting as the First Lady, explaining how she would approach the position with a very traditional attitude. This meant supporting Donald in every way possible and attending any social obligations. Surprisingly, she also admitted that she would be happy to leave her career in modeling behind for such a thing.
This interview was conducted in 1999. Just 5 years later, Donald and Melania got married, and a further 11 years down the line, the couple officially moved into the White House. Melania’s transformation from supermodel to First Lady was rather noteworthy.
Born and Raised in Yugoslavia
Melania, born Melanija Knavs in 1970, is originally from Novo Mesto, Slovenia (a small town in former Yugoslavia). However, as soon as she started modeling, she officially changed her name to Melania Knauss, as she believed that it would be easier to remember and pronounce. Her family was incredibly hard-working and instilled a similar mindset in their children. In fact, she spent her younger years sharing a bedroom with her sister in a stark, harsh, Communist-era apartment building.
According to her friends and family, Novo Mesto had always been too small for her. She had always dreamed of moving to a big city and achieving something great. Otherwise, she was a very talented student and a well-behaved daughter.
A Desire to Pursue Fashion
Even as a young child, Melania had a love for fashion. In an interview she did with Parenting Magazine, she recalled one of her earliest inspirations in the world of fashion: her very own mother. She worked as a clothing designer for children and even allowed Melania to walk the runway at a number of her fashion shows. Melania had always been skinny and tall - so much so that she was often bullied for it. However, she was not embarrassed, as she had always believed that she was destined to become a model.
Through her parents’ work ethic and determination, Melania was afforded a diverse and fortunate upbringing. She even participated in gymnastics and frequently traveled with her mother to Paris and London for fashion shows.
Discovered at Just 16 Years of Old
At the age of 16, Melania was discovered by a photographer named Stane Jerko. At the time, she had been attending Ljubljana’s Secondary School of Design and Photography while living in her father’s apartment. While waiting for her friend after a local fashion show, Jerko approached her and asked her if she would be interested in doing a photoshoot. At the time, school was very important to her, so she turned it down. A few days later, however, she caved to the request.
Jerko taught Melania how to pose and even connected her with an agency. She then chose to focus on her modeling career and dropped out of architecture school. In the coming years, she found success in Paris and Milan, but she always had her sights set on one fashion mecca in particular: New York City.
Not What She Expected
In 1996, she finally moved to NYC. However, the then-26-year-old model struggled to make a name for herself across the pond. This was mostly due to ageism, which has always been a major problem in the fashion industry. After her success in Europe, this was an incredibly tough period for the model. She had to make numerous trips back to Europe to stamp her Visa, taking a toll on her, physically and mentally.
In a 2016 Harper’s Bazaar interview, she claimed that it never crossed her mind to stay in the USA without papers. She had moved there for her career, and she was going to make it work.
Some Major Modeling Gigs
In the end, her tenacity certainly paid off. After a few months of struggling to land a single gig, she started receiving callbacks from major brands. This included a Camel advert that featured in Times Square in the 90s. One of her most memorable gigs was a Sports Illustrated Issue that featured her hugging a large inflatable whale. Around this time, it is believed that Melania started to have some work done in an effort to land more lingerie jobs.
This clearly paid off, as the former model featured in an infamous British GQ spread in the 2000s, where she posed completely naked. It was a risky move that put her on the map.
Playing Hard to Get
Melania and Donald first crossed paths in 1998. Both had been attending a Fashion Week event held in NYC’s Kit Kat Club. However, at the time, she was not fazed by him or his multi-billion-dollar real estate empire. In fact, she claims that she didn’t know much about him or who he was. A mutual friend introduced the two, and shortly after, Donald asked Melania for her number - a request that she initially turned down. However, as the night went on, she eventually asked him to give her his number instead.
In the early days of their relationship, Melania struggled to trust Donald and his intentions. For this reason, she kept her apartment and refused to move in with him for a number of years. In the end, though, she fell in love with Donald and committed herself fully to their relationship.
A $3 Million Engagement Ring and a $35 Million Wedding Day
In 2004, Donald proposed to Melania with a 12-carat, emerald-cut Laurence Graff diamond ring—valued at a staggering $3 million. However, on their 10th anniversary, they replaced it with an even more impressive 25-carat ring. Walking down the aisle, Melania was covered, head to toe, in Christian Dior. From the 13-foot train to the 16-foot veil, her ensemble was anything but understated. In fact, the dress, which weighed a whopping 60 pounds, reportedly cost around $100,000.
Of course, her wedding look was featured in numerous magazines, including Vogue. According to her wedding planner, she wanted something elegant but not over-the-top. In the end, the wedding cost upwards of $35 million.
A Devoted Mother
In 2006, at the age of 35, Melania Trump gave birth to her first child, Barron Trump. This was the same year that she officially received US citizenship. According to those closest to Melania, she has an assistant for just about every role - from a private chef to a personal shopper. However, when it came to raising her child, she never wanted any help. She assumed a very traditional mothering role, insisting that she would cook, clean up after, and entertain Barron.
More so, she didn’t want Donald to worry about any of these things. In her opinion, as long as Donald was providing for them and spending quality time with his family, he was doing more than enough.
What Makes Her Marriage Work
In an interview, Melania was asked how her marriage has remained so strong for all these years. She insists that being ‘Mrs Trump’ comes naturally to her—almost as though she was destined for such a life. She also claims that she and Donald are incredibly independent, both understanding their roles in their marriage. However, at the end of every day, they come together to share their experiences and simply enjoy each other's company.
Even though Donald brought in more than enough money, Melania still had her own pursuits. To be more specific, she helped launch a skincare line and numerous jewelry collections.
Privacy and Parenthood Over Politics
During Donald’s presidential campaign, Melania kept a relatively low profile. Aside from a few social media posts and carefully composed interviews, she hardly attended any of his campaign events. When asked about this in an interview, she insisted that it was her choice, as they had a 9-year-old son at home who needed a parent present. In other words, she was trying to maintain some sort of normality - for her son’s sake.
When Donald was elected, her approach didn’t change all too much. While most presidential families move into the White House immediately, she waited until her son had settled into his new school before doing so.
Agree to Disagree
In a more recent interview, Melania discussed how she and her husband are equals in their relationship. Donald, on the other hand, believes that she holds more power. More so, they both frequently agree to disagree when it comes to various aspects of their relationship. For example, when Donald was criticized for making crude remarks about women, Melania publicly expressed her disappointment in her husband. This shows just how strong a woman she is.
However, at the end of the day, Melania claims to know her husband best. She believes that her independence, free will, and own mind are what Donald likes so much about her.
America’s Second-Ever Foreign-Born First Lady
At the age of 46, Melania Trump became the country's 45th First Lady. On top of this, she became America’s second-ever foreign-born First Lady - after Luisa Adams, who was a London native. Melania had quite the job when entering the White House: responding to the critics. The public believed that she had worked in the country illegally while on a visitor’s Visa. However, she never shied away from these accusations, insisting that she had always followed the rules.
More so, she shared her own turbulent experience of trying to obtain US residency, explaining that patience and perseverance became her constant companions.
Jackie Kennedy Comparisons
Melania’s attitude toward the role of First Lady became apparent early on in Donald’s tenure as President. She always looked incredibly polished and professional. In her interviews, she explained how she never wanted to be the center of attention at these events. However, it always sort of ended up that way, no matter what. The comparisons between former style icons and First Lady Jackie Kennedy began rolling in fast and strong.
Even Melania herself admitted that she drew inspiration from Jackie, who had a very feminine yet classy style. Although her attire often made headlines, she continued to choose privacy over public image.
A Literal Fashion Statement
As her tenure as First Lady went on, there was a noticeable change in her wardrobe. In 2018, as Melania boarded a plane bound for the Mexican border, paparazzi photographed her wearing a green jacket that read, ‘I really don’t care, do you?’. Some believed that this jacket was highly inappropriate, as Trump had been on her way to meet with children who had been separated from their parents.
However, according to her and her husband, the jacket was actually a message to all of the news media outlets who had been heavily criticizing her family based on untrue stories.
Her Own Initiative
In 2018, Melania launched her very own initiative, entitled ‘Be Best’. The program aims to assist children who face major social issues. More so, the program encourages children to find the right path in life while educating them on the importance of social, emotional, and physical health. To be more specific, it has focused heavily on online safety (especially for young people), as well as the dangers of opioid use.
Melania has attended numerous events to promote her initiative, including meetings with children from underprivileged countries such as Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi.
Flak From the Press
There’s no denying the fact that Melania is married to one of the most controversial and heavily criticized men in the world. With that being said, Melania received her fair share of flak from the press as well. In subsequent interviews, she described her treatment from the press as unfair and unjust. Many Republicans even went as far as to say that Melania was the most disrespected First Lady in American history.
For example, when Melania decided to make a few changes to the White House Rose Garden, rumors began to spread that she had purposely removed trees chosen by Jackie Kennedy. There was public outrage over this incident, but the rumors were proved false a few months later.
Leaving Her Mark
Like most First Ladies, Melania Trump left her mark on the White House with many of the changes she made and preservation projects she did. She focused on historical preservation, as well as caring for the natural beauty of the space. According to a member of White House staff, she always wanted to know what others had done before her, proving just how important maintaining tradition was to her.
Overall, she made some much-needed alterations to the Rose Garden, restored old furniture, and even repainted the Red Room to make it shine again.
Supporting Her Husband’s Reelection Campaign
Unsurprisingly, Melania was in her husband’s corner during his 2020 reelection campaign. She even made a speech at one of his rally events, which was rather out-of-character for the former First Lady. Many believed that she saved face for her husband during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he had ultimately dismissed the impact of the virus. However, she expressed solidarity with those affected by the pandemic and it's awful consequences.
It became evident that Melania was not afraid to speak her mind when it came to spreading a message that she deemed right.
Waving a White Flag
The 2020 Presidential election was one for the books. After the result was announced, Donald Trump simply refused to admit defeat to Joe Biden, claiming that the election had been taken from him. While many in his corner agreed with this sentiment, others believed that he was fighting an already lost battle. According to those closest to the couple, Melania was one of these people - she knew when to hang up the towel.
She reportedly told her husband that he should accept the outcome of the election and cut his losses. However, her advice fell flat, and Donald continued to escalate the situation.
Embracing Life After the White House
While Melania claimed that being the country's First Lady was her greatest privilege, she didn’t struggle to adapt to life after the White House. In fact, many reported that she was doing just fine—thriving even. However, the same could not be said for her husband. Contrary to her usual traditional tendencies, she chose a life of privacy as the former First Lady. She didn’t attend too many social events, opting for quality time with her son instead.
More so, she didn’t write a memoir about her time in the White House, which was common for former First Lady’s to do. It’s safe to say that she definitely could have done this, as the country would have loved to hear her own first-hand account of her time in the White House.
Navigating the Indictments Against Her Husband
In 2023, Donald Trump was indicted on both state and federal charges. He spent a lot of time in court, which brought even more negative attention to the family. However, Melania managed to avoid the public eye for the most part. While she publicly supports her husband, she prefers a life of privacy with no scrutiny from the press. Unsurprisingly, she hated the legal entanglements and rarely accompanied her husband to court.
According to those closest to them, the fourth indictment was a problem for her husband—not her. While she still supported him, she didn’t let his legal issues influence her own life, especially since she had a young son to support and care for.
Putting Her Son First
During 2023, amidst the legal issues, Melania’s biggest concern was still her son. While Donald’s indictments undoubtedly took a toll on the entire family, she was worried about how the public's negative opinion and scrutiny of his father would affect him. During this time, she spent more time with her son, often going on trips to escape the brutal American press. More so, her own family rallied around her and her son during this difficult time.
The whole Knauss family wanted to maintain a sense of normality for Barron. As a result, Melania and Barron moved into her family's estate in Mar-a-Lago, away from the public eye and the negative headlines surrounding Donald.
No Interest in Living at the White House
With Donald Trump set to return to the presidency in 2025, Melania Trump reportedly has no interest in returning to the White House. According to a source close to the family, she is more than happy to continue to reside at the Trump estate in Mar-a-Lago. If one thing is clear, it’s that Melania does what Melania wants, and, at this point, it seems that a life of privacy and independence is on the cards.
It will be interesting to see if she performs the traditional roles of a First Lady, as she did during her first tenure. She doesn’t seem to care much about the public’s opinion of her. However, her various campaigns show that she is passionate about unity and supporting those who need it most.
A Conservative LGBTQ+ Organization
In April of 2024, Melania made an appearance at a Republican fundraiser that aimed to support an LGBTQ+ organization called the Log Cabin Republicans. She was presented as a speaking guest of honor, and, according to attendees of the event, she managed to raise a whopping $1 million that evening. The money has since been used to provide much-needed relief to members of LGBTQ+ communities in swing states. More so, the foundation aims to raise awareness for conservative LGBTQ+ groups.
According to a member of the Log Cabin Republicans, Donald Trump’s party ‘hears them, sees them, and supports them’. The Republicans also commented on how elegant, understanding and professional Melania was throughout the event. She apparently took the time to speak and take photos with everyone while cementing the importance of unity and diversity.
A Proud Mother
It’s safe to say that Melania is not one for public appearances. However, in 2024, she stepped out of her comfort zone by attending her son’s high school graduation ceremony. Notably, the former First Lady was dressed to impress, sporting an incredibly classy Christian Dior jacket and Michael Kors pencil skirt. According to those closest to Melania, the graduation ceremony was an emotional moment for her, as she had always been closely involved in Barron’s life and upbringing. She once described her son as ‘her world’, which goes to show just how devoted a mother she really is.
More so, she is excited to see her son pursue his own passions - whatever they may be. It seems as though Donald and Melania have different ideas about what career field they’d like Barron to go into.
A Low Profile
There’s no denying the fact that Melania Trump lives a lavish lifestyle. However, it has come at a cost. In 2024, Donald Trump was convicted and found guilty on 34 separate counts of fraud. During this difficult time for the Trump family, Melania did her best to keep her distance. She never accompanied her husband to the trials or commented publicly about the proceedings. Additionally, when her husband was found guilty, she was nowhere to be seen. When asked about her absence, it became evident that Donald himself also wanted his wife sheltered from public scrutiny.
Everything that the Trumps do seems to go against standards set out by former Presidents and First Lady’s. While his family, including his two eldest sons and daughters, rallied around him and frequently stood beside him in court, Melania remained silent on the matter.
A Statement Regarding the Assassination Attempt
In July of 2024, Donald Trump had a near-death experience when he survived an assassination attempt while speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania. The following day, Melania released a statement that expressed just how terrifying the ordeal had actually been for her and her family. In it, she called the shooter a ‘monster who recognizes her husband as an inhuman political machine’. She also explained the moment that she realized her life, as well as her son's life, had been on the brink of a devastating change. Finally, she thanked the Secret Service for rushing to her husband’s side, risking their own lives for such a purposeless and unnecessary reason.
During this scandal, Melania proved to the world that she still has the attributes and attitude of a First Lady. While she may enjoy her privacy, it is evident that she strongly supports the idea of unity, regardless of our differences.