Last updated on July 28th, 2023 at 01:13 am
Melania Trump (Melania Knauss) was born on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. She grew up in a modest apartment in a housing block in Sevnica, a town situated in southeastern Slovenia. Melania’s father, Viktor Knavs, was a car salesman, and her mother, Amalija Knavs, worked in a textile factory.
After completing her secondary education, Melania began modeling in Milan and Paris. She later moved to New York City in 1996 and continued her modeling career, working for famous designers such as Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace. In 2005, she married businessman and real estate developer Donald Trump.
As First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump focused her efforts on several initiatives, including the “Be Best” campaign, which aimed to promote the well-being of children and combat cyberbullying. She also supported military families and visited children’s hospitals and other organizations that support children.
During Donald Trump’s presidency, Melania was known for her fashion choices, which were often the subject of media attention. She also faced criticism for her apparent reluctance to embrace the traditional first lady role and for her controversial statements and actions, such as wearing a jacket with the words “I Don’t Care, Do U?” on a visit to a detention center for migrant children.
Melania Trump’s time as First Lady ended on January 20, 2021, when her husband’s term in office came to an end. Since leaving the White House, she has maintained a relatively low profile and has not announced any plans for future endeavors.
Early Life and Education
Melania Trump (Melania Knauss) was born on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, which was then part of Yugoslavia. She grew up in Sevnica, a small town in southeastern Slovenia, where her parents, Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs, raised her and her younger sister Ines.
Melania’s father worked as a car dealer, while her mother worked in a textile factory. Melania has described her parents as hardworking and loving and has cited them as important influences in her life.
As a child, Melania attended the Secondary School of Design and Photography in Ljubljana. She was a good student who enjoyed languages and the arts. Melania also showed an early interest in modeling, and at the age of 5, she began taking modeling classes.
Melania’s childhood was relatively modest. However, her family was supportive of her interests, and Melania said that her parents encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
Apart from modeling, Melania was reportedly interested in fashion, design, and architecture as a young person. She also enjoyed sports and outdoor activities, such as skiing and tennis.
Career:
Melania began modeling at the age of 16 in Slovenia, where she was born and raised. To pursue her modeling career she moved to Milan, Italy, at the age of 18 and later moved to New York City. In the United States, she signed up with a top modeling agency and appeared in various print and television advertisements. She has also appeared on numerous magazine covers, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vanity Fair. Melania was featured in a sexually explicit photo shoot for the January 1996 issue of Max, a French men’s magazine. The photos were taken by photographer Alexandre Ale de Basseville and featured Melania alongside another female model, Emma Eriksson. Melania. Melania was also posed nude for the January 2000 UK edition of GQ magazine, where she appeared on the cover naked except for diamond jewelry and reclining on fur, aboard Trump’s custom-fitted Boeing 727. These photos have been a source of controversy and criticism for Melania, particularly during her time as First Lady of the United States.
Jewelry designing: Melania launched her jewelry collection in 2010, which featured affordable pieces that were sold on QVC. The collection included items such as bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, and was designed to be both stylish and accessible to women of all ages and backgrounds.
First Lady of the United States:
Melania served as First Lady from 2017 to 2021, during this she focused on various initiatives related to children’s health and well-being. In addition to her “Be Best” campaign, she also oversaw the renovation of the White House Rose Garden and the redesign of the White House Tennis Pavilion.
Overall, Melania Trump’s career has been marked by diverse interests and accomplishments, including modeling, jewelry design, and philanthropy. As First Lady, she used her platform to advocate for causes that were important to her and continued to be involved in charitable work and public appearances since leaving the White House.
Relationship with Donald Trump:
Melania Trump and Donald Trump have been married since January 22, 2005. They first met in 1998 at a party during New York Fashion Week, while Melania was working as a model. They began dating soon after and eventually became engaged in 2004.
Throughout their relationship, Melania has been a supportive partner to Donald, accompanying him on his campaign trail and attending numerous public events and speeches. However, their relationship has also faced some controversy and scrutiny, particularly during Donald’s presidency.
In early 2018, according to reports Donald had allegedly had an affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2006, shortly after Melania gave birth to their son Barron. Donald has denied the allegations, and Melania has largely remained silent on the matter. However, in her memoir, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former friend and advisor to Melania, claimed that Melania had expressed her frustration and anger over the allegations and how they were impacting her family.
Despite these challenges, Melania and Donald have remained married and have continued to support each other in their personal and professional lives.
Early Relationship:
Melania Trump met Donald Trump at a party in 1998 while working as a model in New York City. They began dating, and Melania soon moved into Donald’s apartment in Trump Tower. They became engaged in 2004 and were married in a lavish ceremony in 2005.
Marriage:
Melania Trump and Donald Trump were married in a lavish ceremony at Trump’s “Mar-a-Lago” resort in Palm Beach, Florida on January 22, 2005. The wedding was attended by numerous celebrities and high-profile politicians, including former President Bill Clinton and future President Barack Obama.
Throughout their marriage, Melania has been a supportive partner to Donald, accompanying him on his campaign trail and attending numerous public events and speeches. However, their marriage has faced several controversies during Donald’s presidency.
Role in Presidential Campaign:
Melania Trump played a strong and significant role in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, particularly during the 2016 election. She made numerous public appearances in support of her husband, speaking at campaign events and rallies across the country.
Melania’s most notable speech during the campaign came at the Republican National Convention in July 2016, where she delivered a well-received address that praised her husband’s leadership qualities and vision for the country. However, the speech was soon marred by accusations of plagiarism, as several passages were found to be similar to a speech delivered by Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention in 2008.
Despite the controversy, Melania remained an active participant in the campaign, appearing at rallies and events alongside her husband and other members of the Trump family. She also played a prominent role during the presidential inauguration ceremony in January 2017, where she became the first First Lady to be born outside of the United States since Louisa Adams in 1825.
During Donald Trump’s presidency, Melania continued to play a public role, championing causes such as children’s health and well-being and advocating for increased support for military families. However, her tenure as First Lady was also marked by controversy and criticism, particularly over her response to issues such as immigration and the separation of families at the border.
The first lady of the United States (2017-2021):
Melania Trump was the First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021 during her husband Donald Trump’s presidency. She focused on children’s health, anti-bullying efforts, and support for military families. Melania also made several high-profile public appearances and represented the United States on international trips. Her tenure was marked by some controversy, particularly over her response to issues such as immigration and the separation of families at the border. Since leaving the White House, she has largely stayed out of the public eye.
Be Best Campaign:
The “Be Best” campaign is a public awareness campaign initiated by the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump. The campaign aims to promote the well-being and positive development of children, with a particular focus on issues such as cyberbullying, opioid abuse, and overall emotional and physical health.
The campaign was officially launched in May 2018 and has been active ever since. Here are some of the key steps and activities of the campaign
Promoting positive social media usage:
The “Be Best” campaign emphasizes the importance of responsible social media usage, especially among young people. The campaign encourages parents and teachers to teach children about online safety, and it provides resources and tips for responsible social media use.
Addressing opioid abuse:
The “Be Best” campaign also aims to fight against the opioid epidemic by raising awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse and promoting programs that help those struggling with addiction.
Focusing on children’s well-being:
The campaign promotes the overall well-being of children, including their physical and emotional health.
Partnering with organizations:
The “Be Best” campaign has partnered with several organizations and government agencies to promote its message and reach a wider audience.
Raising awareness of cyberbullying:
The “Be Best” campaign has a particular focus on raising awareness of cyberbullying, which can have a significant impact on children’s mental health and well-being. The campaign provides resources and guidance to help parents and teachers identify and address instances of cyberbullying.
Net Worth:
Melania Trump has a net worth of $50 million till March 2023.
Approval Ratings:
During her husband’s 2016 campaign, Melania Trump was the least popular presidential candidate spouse in modern polling. However, as First Lady, she managed to improve her favorability ratings from 2016 to mid-2018, reaching a peak of 57% approval in May 2018 per CNN polling. Melania Trump was also reported to have polled more popularly among the American public than other members of her family, including her husband and stepchildren. However, she finished her tenure in 2021 as the least popular first lady ever polled, with a final approval rating of 42% and a final disapproval rating of 47%.
Personal life:
Melania Trump has been known to keep a relatively private personal life, and little is known about her hobbies and interests outside of her public appearances and official duties as the First Lady of the United States.
Religion:
Melania Trump was raised in a predominantly Catholic family in Slovenia, and she was baptized in the Catholic Church. However, after she married Donald Trump, Melania became a non-denominational Christian. Melania believed that faith plays an important role in her life and that she regularly reads the Bible. However, she has also stated that she respects people of all faiths and does not try to impose her religious beliefs on others.
Health:
Melania Trump has been reported to have had various health issues during her time as First Lady of the United States. In May 2018, she underwent kidney surgery to treat a benign kidney condition. In October 2020, Melania Trump also tested positive for COVID-19 along with her husband, Donald Trump, and received treatment at the White House.
Melania also advocated for children’s health and wellness, including promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity.
Philanthropy:
Melania Trump has been involved with several philanthropic efforts over the years, both before and during her time as First Lady of the United States. Here are some details-
The Be Best campaign:
Melania Trump launched the “Be Best” campaign in May 2018, which focuses on children’s health and well-being, including addressing issues such as cyberbullying and the opioid epidemic.
Children’s National Hospital:
Melania Trump has visited the “Children’s National Hospital” in Washington, D.C., numerous times during her time as First Lady, meeting with children and families and advocating for children’s health and wellness.
Hurricane Harvey relief:
In 2017, Melania Trump donated a portion of her inaugural gown to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to be displayed in an exhibit on first ladies. The remainder of the gown was auctioned off, with the proceeds going to the “Hurricane Harvey relief” efforts.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America:
Melania Trump has been involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, visiting several of their clubs across the United States and advocating for their programs.
American Red Cross:
Melania Trump has also been involved with the American Red Cross which is a non-profit humanitarian organization. Melania visited their headquarters in Washington, D.C., and supported their disaster relief efforts.
These are just a few examples of Melania Trump’s philanthropic efforts. As the First Lady, Melania Trump used her platform to promote various causes and charities and advocated for the health and well-being of children.
Parodies:
As a public figure and former First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump has been the subject of numerous parodies and impersonations in various forms of media, including television shows, online videos, and social media.
Television, Music Videos, and Films:
Melania Trump has made a few appearances in television, film, and music videos throughout her career, most notably during her time as First Lady of the United States.
Television:
Melania Trump appeared as herself in several episodes of “The Apprentice,” a reality TV show hosted by her husband, Donald Trump. She also appeared on various news programs, such as “60 Minutes” and “Good Morning America,” during her time as First Lady.
Film:
Melania Trump made a cameo appearance in the 2001 film “Zoolander,” starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson. In the film, she played herself and was shown walking down a runway during a fashion show.
Music videos:
In 1999, Melania Trump appeared in a music video for the Slovenian pop group “Siddharta.” The video, titled “Lunanai,” features Melania dancing and singing with the band.
White House events:
As First Lady, Melania Trump often hosted events at the White House that were televised, such as the annual Easter Egg Roll and the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
Literature and Theatre:
In 2018, a book titled “Fire and Fury Inside the Trump White House” by Michael Wolff was released, which included several controversial statements attributed to Melania Trump. The book caused a media frenzy and Melania’s spokesperson publicly denied the statements attributed to her in the book.
Melania Trump has also been mentioned in several other books, including “Unhinged: An Insider’s Account of the Trump White House” by Omarosa Manigault Newman and “Fear: Trump in the White House” by Bob Woodward.
As for theatre, Melania Trump has been the subject of several plays, including “Melania” by Dutch playwright, Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer, which premiered in the Netherlands in 2019. The play is a fictional account of Melania’s life and explores themes of identity and power. There have also been several satirical plays and sketches that have portrayed Melania Trump in a comedic light, including “The First Annual Trump Family Special” by The Public Theater in New York City.
Future Plans of Melania Trump:
When Trump’s presidency comes to an end, First Lady Melania Trump is reportedly focusing on a future away from Washington DC, accepting the election results and packing to leave the White House for their Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. She intends to settle Barron, her and the president’s son, into his new school and step out of the spotlight. Her next chapters include documenting her White House renovations and redesign of the Rose Garden, continuing her “Be Best” initiative, and planning her husband’s presidential library, which may lead to conflict within the Trump family. Despite her husband’s “stop the steal” campaign, Ms. Trump was reportedly against a protracted challenge to the election results and the 6 January 2021 rally on the Ellipse. She has also refused to meet with incoming first lady Dr. Jill Biden and has revived her dormant personal Twitter account to be an ambassador for “Be Best”.