Melania Trump

Melania Knauss Trump, born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, in Slovenia, is a prominent figure known for her work as a model and her role as the third wife of former President Donald Trump. She first served as First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021, and returned to the role in 2025, making her the first naturalized citizen and non-native English speaker to hold this position.

Her modeling career began at age 16 in Yugoslavia, and she later changed her name to Melania Knauss while seeking opportunities in Paris and Milan. In 1996, she immigrated to the United States after being sponsored by Paolo Zampolli, who introduced her to Donald Trump in 1998. They married in 2005 and welcomed their son, Barron Trump, in 2006. Melania launched her own jewelry line, Melania, in 2009.

Though she played a relatively quiet role during Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Melania faced scrutiny due to the revelation of her past modeling photos and a speech that was criticized for plagiarism. As First Lady, she focused on children's issues through her Be Best initiative and supported her husband on key policy decisions, including changes to family separation policies.

After leaving the White House in 2021, Melania remained out of the spotlight until her return as First Lady in 2025, marking a significant chapter in her life while continuing to navigate her public and private roles.