The mysterious Melania Trump has captured the public’s interest for decades, ever since her love story with Donald Trump began. The Slovenian model has many talents beyond her stunning sense of style. She has been featured on the cover of fashion magazines for many years. The working mother has also been a successful entrepreneur. She is an ambassador for multiple non-profit organizations.
She’s faced criticism and been scrutinized as any celeb in the spotlight has. She’s also faced the immense pressure of being a First Lady. As an immigrant, Melania achieved what many might see as the American dream. Still, she faced backlash for her actions (and, of course, her husband’s) during the family’s time in office.
Some might regard her as cold and reserved. This perception places her in a different category from the warm and charismatic first ladies of the past. Melania grew up in a communist country. She lived a life very different from her experiences in the US. Because of these challenges, she has overcome many hardships. With a potential second term on the horizon with the 2024 election, all eyes will surely be on Melania again. Read on to uncover the untold secrets of this enigmatic woman.
She was raised in Slovenia
This female entrepreneur grew up in Slovenia, which it was run by the communist party and known as Yugoslavia. Her childhood was humble, with working-class parents. Her dad was a car dealer, and her mom worked in the textile industry. Despite her lavish lifestyle today, she once lived in apartment housing near smoking factory chimneys. She dropped out of school and entered the US on a tourist visa. Then, she got a working visa and changed her name from Knavs to Knauss.
She worked as an international model
Melania Trump experienced her first taste of success as a model at the young age of 16. She was inspired by her mother, who was a fashion designer. After being discovered by Stane Jerko, she did a test shoot. Her photos were sent out. She worked in cities like Milan and Paris. Eventually, she graced covers like Harper’s Bazaar in Bulgaria, Vanity Fair in Italy, and British GQ for a notoriously nude shoot.
She met her husband at NY Fashion Week
Melania and Donald first connected when Donald was on a date with another woman. She didn’t give him her number. However, she called him a few days later. She told Harper’s Bazaar she was struck by his energy and “sense of vitality.” Donald had the baggage of four kids and a not-yet-finalized divorce. Despite this, they finalized their relationship in 2004. The proposal happened at the Met Gala.
Her wedding was extremely opulent
Melania and Donald’s $2.5 million wedding was as lavish as you can imagine—they married at Episcopalian Church, Bethesda-by-the-Sea. There were 450 guests, including A-listers like Anna Wintour and Elton John. Even Bill and Hillary Clinton attended. This is ironic given Hillary ran against Donald Trump in 2016. Opera star Camellia Johnson performed. Melania wore a Christian Dior dress of more than 300 feet of white satin. The dress cost $100,000 and had more than 500 hours of embroidery work.
