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From humble beginnings in Slovenia to gracing billboards in Times Square, Melania Trump carved a path few could have imagined. Explore her evolution through stunning photos that capture her transformation over the years.
Melania's story began in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, a small town in the former Yugoslavia. She was born on April 26, 1970, to Viktor and Amalija Knavs, growing up in a modest household.
As Melanija Knavs, she displayed an early interest in fashion and creativity, which led her to study design. However, her aspirations quickly shifted toward modeling, a career that would take her far beyond the borders of her home country.
She built a promising modeling career in Europe, appearing in magazines and advertisements. But despite her success, she longed for a bigger stage. In 1996, she made the life-changing decision to move to New York City to further her career — a bold leap that would require courage and resilience.
Leaving Europe was no easy feat for Melania. In her autobiography, she reflected on the emotional farewell with her family, “The distance between America and Europe felt immense, and my family and I had found these goodbyes particularly difficult.”
She felt a mix of exhilaration and trepidation, knowing this journey was unlike anything she had experienced before. “This was America…New York! A different world altogether,” her autobiography details.
The move was a gamble. At 26, Melania was already older than many aspiring models trying to break into one of the most competitive industries in Manhattan.
Her new home, a small shared apartment near Gramercy Park, had little more than a futon behind a Styrofoam wall. But Melania's determination was unwavering.
New York in the 1990s was the epitome of glamor and excess, defined by supermodels like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. Melania steadily built a solid career through a combination of hard work and adaptability.
She secured various high-profile opportunities, including one of her most notable achievements in 1997 — a Camel Lights advertising campaign, which saw her image plastered across a Times Square billboard, cementing her presence in the city's fashion scene.
Melania also embraced the era's bold and provocative culture, posing nude with another female model for the French men's magazine Max.
Throughout this period, her style was striking and versatile, blending the sultry sophistication of European fashion with the flamboyance of the New York modeling world.
Irene Marie, a representative who worked with her, noted, “I wouldn't say she reached supermodel height. She wasn't the most expensive model, but she was a high-end model.”
By the late 1990s, Melania had transitioned from a small-town girl in Slovenia to a recognized figure in New York's fashion and social scenes. However, her rise in the modeling world was just the beginning of a life story that would soon take an unexpected turn.
From Meeting Donald and Becoming First Lady
In 1998, on a vibrant evening during New York Fashion Week, Melania's life took an unexpected turn when she crossed paths with Donald Trump.
The two met at the Kit Kat Club, a venue buzzing with editors, designers, and other prominent figures. Melania recalled the moment in her autobiography, describing the lively atmosphere filled with music, dancing, and lively conversation.
When Donald approached her table, he introduced himself with confidence. Although Melania recognized his name, she admitted to knowing little about him aside from his reputation as a businessman.
Although Donald was accompanied by a date, he seemed captivated by Melania. When he eventually asked for her number, she stood firm, saying, “I am not giving you my number; give me yours and I will call you.”
Her decision to set boundaries left a lasting impression on Donald, and the two began seeing each other shortly after. Their connection deepened over time, with Melania describing her initial interactions with Donald as refreshing.
At 28 years old, Melania found Donald's authenticity, work ethic, and zest for life both infectious and inspiring. Despite being older than her, he made her feel at ease. Melania fondly recalled their chemistry, “Our connection felt natural — as if our souls had known each other for a long time.”
On January 22, 2005, Melania and Donald solidified their bond in a lavish wedding ceremony at the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida. A year later, the couple welcomed their son, Barron, adding a new chapter to their family life.
When Donald was elected president in 2016, Melania's life transformed once again. As the first lady, she adopted a wardrobe that reflected her elevated role, blending timeless elegance with her European fashion influences.
From tailored coats to bold colors and structured silhouettes, she made deliberate choices that balanced diplomacy and personal style. In addition to fashion, her advocacy as first lady centered on children's well-being.
In 2018, she launched the BE BEST initiative, a campaign focused on promoting kindness, healthy living, and respect. In 2024, Donald's successful reelection brought Melania Trump back to the role of first lady.
Her return marked a continuation of her understated yet impactful presence on the global stage. Her journey — from a young Slovenian model to a prominent figure in American history — has been nothing short of extraordinary, beautifully told through her evolving sense of style.
