US ELECTION 2024

Who is Melania Trump? This is Melanija Knavs, the Slovenian former model who was first lady of the United States

Donald Trump’s current wife, his third, could return to being referred to as FLOTUS if the Republican candidate wins the election.

Brendan McDermidREUTERS

Melanija Knavs was one of the most media-friendly first ladies in the history of the United States. The Slovenian former model stood out for her elegant style and personality during her husband Donald Trump’s administration as president of the United States.

Now, with a slightly more reserved style, Melania could return to the White House if the Republican candidate wins the presidential election over the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris.

The backstory of Melania Trump

Born in Novo Mesto, Yugoslavia, now Slovenia, Melanija was the second foreign first lady in US history, and the only naturalised American first lady.

At just 16 years old, she began her modelling career, working with major and renowned photographers in the industry, as well as appearing in several advertising campaigns.

In 1990, this glamorous job took her to prestigious cities such as Milan and Paris, where she stood out for her style and earned the opportunity to appear in top magazines including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and GQ.

However, her career took off in 1996 when she moved to New York City, where she would later meet her now-husband Donald Trump.

Where did Donald Trump first meet Melania?

It was in 1998 when she met her future husband, Trump, during a party in Manhattan, causing great controversy in the media due to the 24-year age difference between the businessman and the model. As subsequent reports have suggested, he prefers much younger girls.

Back in 2005, the couple tied the knot in Mar A-Lago, Florida, and just a year later they had their first and only child from the relationship, who they named Barron William Trump.