
A few things may immediately spring to mind when you think of Melania Trump: elegance, poise, and, of course, her status as the former (and now current again) First Lady of the United States. However, there is an intriguing backstory that many people are unaware of that goes beyond the viral handshakes and fashion statements.
Let’s take a look back at Melania Trump’s life today, from her upbringing in a small Slovenian town to her rise to international prominence. Her age, height, weight, and marital status with Donald Trump will all be discussed, along with her net worth and the “are they even together?” rumors. Prepare yourself for a comprehensive, relatable look at the woman who makes headlines.
Early Life and Background
Melania was raised in the tiny town of Sevnica after being born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia (then a part of Yugoslavia). She was brought up in a modest but encouraging household and is currently 55 years old as of 2025.
Her mother, Amalija Knavs, was employed as a patternmaker in a textile factory, and her father, Viktor Knavs, was a car dealer. Melania’s early interest in fashion and design was fostered by her parents, who supported her goals despite the limitations of living in communist Yugoslavia. She has a half-brother, Denis Cigelnjak, from her father’s previous relationship, as well as an older sister, Ines.
Melania attended Sevnica Elementary School before continuing her education at Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, at the Secondary School of Design and Photography. She studied architecture and design at the University of Ljubljana when she was 19, but she left after just one year to pursue a career in modeling. With this choice, she changed her name from Melanija Knavs to Melania Knauss, which she chose to reflect her desire to model internationally.
Quick Bio/Wiki
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Melanija Knavs (later Melania Knauss Trump) |
Date of Birth | April 26, 1970 |
Age | 55 years old |
Place of Birth | Novo Mesto, Slovenia (then Yugoslavia) |
Nationality | Slovenian (by birth), American (naturalized in 2006) |
Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
Weight | Approximately 139 pounds (63 kg) |
Marital Status | Married to Donald J. Trump (since 2005) |
Children | One son – Barron William Trump (born 2006) |
Languages Spoken | English, Slovenian, German, French, Serbian |
Education | Studied at University of Ljubljana (did not complete) |
Profession | Former model, entrepreneur, former First Lady of the United States |
Modeling Debut | Age 16 in Slovenia |
Moved to U.S. | 1996 (for modeling career) |
U.S. Citizenship | Gained in 2006 |
Net Worth (Est.) | Studied at the University of Ljubljana (did not complete) |
How Old Is Melania Trump?
As of 2025, Melania Trump is 55 years old, having been born on April 26, 1970. You’ll probably agree if you’ve seen her in recent public appearances. 55 has never looked better. Melania has aged like fine wine, whether it’s due to her genes, skincare routine, or her ultra-private lifestyle.
But don’t be fooled by the glamour. This woman has experienced a lot: growing up under communist control, coming to the United States by herself, and entering the political fishbowl that is America.
How Melania Met Donald Trump
When Melania met Donald Trump, a television personality and real estate tycoon, at a New York Fashion Week party in 1998 apparently at the Kit Kat Club, her life took a drastic turn. Donald’s marriage to Marla Maples at the time ended in 1999. Aware of Donald’s reputation as a “ladies’ man,” Melania famously asked for his phone number rather than giving it to him. Though it had its ups and downs, including a brief breakup when Melania saw Donald’s ex-girlfriend Kara Young leaving Trump Tower, their relationship started soon after.
On January 22, 2005, the couple got married in a lavish ceremony at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, after they had reconciled. High-profile guests like Hillary Clinton attended the event, which was a media spectacle, and Melania wore a $200,000 Christian Dior gown. Barron William Trump, named after a fictitious name Donald Trump once used, was born in 2006 to Melania. In the same year, Melania became the first naturalized citizen to hold the position of First Lady of the United States.
In 2017, there were rumors of a romantic relationship with Hank Siemers, who was the former head of security at Tiffany & Co. in Trump Tower. But since Siemers was married and had kids, these rumors were disproved, and there was no solid proof to back them up. The only known romantic relationship Melania has is with her husband of 20 years, Donald Trump.

Modeling Career
At the young age of 5, Melania started modeling by taking part in children’s fashion shows. By the age of 16, she was collaborating on commercial projects with Slovenian photographer Stane Jerko. When she signed with a Milan, Italy, modeling agency at the age of 18, she got her big break and went on to work in Paris. She won an international modeling contract in 1992 after placing second in Ljubljana’s Jana Magazine “Look of the Year” competition.
Paolo Zampolli’s modeling agency sponsored Melania’s immigration, allowing her to relocate to New York City in 1996. As she made appearances on the covers of high-profile publications like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue in 2000, her career took off. She also appeared in well-known advertising campaigns, such as a Times Square billboard for Camel cigarettes.
Speaking six languages fluently Slovene, English, French, German, Italian, and Serbo-Croatian Melania was in high demand as a model due to her versatility and charisma. Her statuesque figure and measurements of 38-26-37 inches, along with her height of 5 feet 11 inches and weight of about 139 pounds (63 kg), complemented her elegant persona.
First Lady of the United States: 2017–2021 and 2025–Present
Melania took on the role of First Lady during Donald Trump’s first term (2017–2021) and after his reelection in 2025. She brought a distinct viewpoint to the White House as the first naturalized citizen to hold the position and the second foreign-born First Lady (after Louisa Adams). Launched in 2018, her Be Best initiative prioritized preventing opioid abuse, promoting social media responsibility, and promoting children’s wellbeing.
She traveled abroad to support these causes, including a 2018 solo trip to Africa, where she interacted with military families and children’s hospitals.
In contrast to her predecessors’ more public roles, Melania’s tenure was characterized by a reserved demeanor. According to biographer Mary Jordan, she postponed her 2017 move to the White House so Barron could finish his school year in New York.
This decision also allowed her to renegotiate her prenuptial agreement, though Melania’s spokesperson denied this. Her status as a style icon was cemented by her frequent headline-grabbing fashion choices, such as the iconic boater-style hat she wore to the 2025 inauguration.
Melania had to deal with a number of issues, such as a libel case against the Daily Mail for claiming she was employed by an escort agency and a plagiarism scandal in 2016 over her speech at the Republican National Convention, which was similar to Michelle Obama’s.
After she prevailed in the lawsuit, it was redefined as an emotional distress claim. Her influence was demonstrated in 2018 when she publicly denounced child separations as part of her advocacy, especially against her husband’s “zero tolerance” border policy.
Melania Trump’s Height and Weight
Melania weighs about 139 pounds (63 kg) and is a stunning 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall. She dominated the modeling industry for years thanks to those statistics.
However, she has kept her grace and figure even after modeling. She’s always First-Lady-ready, not just camera-ready. She stands out in any space thanks to her posture, understated style choices, and unwavering composure.
Melania Trump’s Net Worth
Melania’s estimated net worth ranges from $10 million to $50 million. She makes her money through her jewelry/skincare ventures, modeling contracts, and licensing agreements. She tried a skincare brand after launching the Melania™ Timepieces & Jewelry line on QVC. Even though those endeavors didn’t always make news, they did generate actual revenue.

Final Thoughts
One of those people who will always be fascinating is Melania Trump. She seems to have erected a silent stronghold around her family life, speaks infrequently, and makes selective appearances. She has, however, also been in some of the most prominent positions in the world, and she has managed them with composure.
In one lifetime, she has been the First Lady of the United States, a Slovenian girl with lofty aspirations, and a supermodel in the fashion capitals of Europe and New York City. Twice.
There is a woman who has done things her own way behind that serene exterior. And to be honest, isn’t that what draws people to her?
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