Donald Trump wins: How Melania Trump went from the runway to the White House

Melania Trump, born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, didn’t exactly follow the usual path to becoming a U.S. First Lady. Growing up in the small Slovenian town of Sevnica (back in Yugoslavia days!), she embarked on her modelling career as a teenager. By 16, she was gracing magazines, runway shows, and major campaigns across Europe, and also briefly attended the University of Ljubljana, but her ambitions took her from the quiet streets of Slovenia to the bustling fashion scenes in Milan and Paris. Her life took a new turn in 1996 when she moved to New York City—landing her smack dab in the centre of American glitz and glamour, and soon enough, in the orbit of real estate mogul Donald Trump.

Melania and Donald Trump’s wedding

Melania and Donald Trump’s romance blossomed quickly after meeting at a party in 1998. Donald’s larger-than-life personality and Melania’s grounded demeanor balanced each other out, and by 2004, they were engaged. They tied the knot in 2005 with a high-profile Palm Beach wedding at Donald’s Mar-a-Lago estate, attended by the hotshots like Bill and Hillary Clinton and other A-listers. The two welcomed their son Barron in 2006, with Melania often opting for a quieter life away from the paparazzi while raising him.

Melania Trump - The First Lady

As First Lady from 2017 to 2021, Melania became known for her low-key approach to the role, focusing primarily on children’s causes. Her “BE BEST” initiative aimed to promote children’s wellness, anti-bullying efforts, and awareness around opioid use. Though she championed these issues with a calm dedication, Melania was not a First Lady who sought the limelight. She often let her fashion do the talking, creating iconic moments with her designer wardrobe—from a military-inspired Alexander McQueen ensemble for the 2020 Republican National Convention to her Hervé Pierre white jumpsuit with a green sash during a 2020 visit to India’s Taj Mahal.

Now, Melania lives a relatively private life, reportedly working on a memoir about her White House years. She remains an enigmatic figure, stepping into the public eye only occasionally. But her mix of glamour and mystery keeps her in the spotlight, leaving the world curious about the woman who went from small-town Slovenia to the U.S. First Lady, with elegance, quiet confidence, and a love for high fashion along the way. And as Donald Trump won, she is also currently celebrating his win.