Melania Trump has been in and out of the media since her husband, Donald Trump, served his first term as President of the United States. Her presence in the public eye has been marked by a series of ups and downs, navigating the complexities of her role as First Lady and the scrutiny that comes with it.
Despite the challenges and controversies that have surrounded her, Melania has managed to maintain a significant public profile, characterized by her poise and distinctive sense of style.
Melania’s journey from a model in Slovenia to the First Lady of the United States is nothing short of remarkable. …CONTINUE READING
Throughout her time in the White House, she undertook various initiatives, most notably her “Be Best” campaign, aimed at promoting well-being, combating opioid abuse, and advocating for positive social media behavior. Her efforts in these areas garnered both praise and criticism, reflecting the polarized nature of public opinion in the contemporary political landscape.
Regardless of her many ups and downs in the public eye, Melania is a well-known and primarily well-liked public figure. According to CCN polls, 57 percent of Americans view her positively and have a favorable impression of her. This level of approval highlights her ability to resonate with a significant portion of the population, transcending the often contentious political environment. Her elegance, dedication to her initiatives, and the way she has handled the public’s gaze contribute to this favorable perception.
To learn more about the former First Lady, read on to discover 10 Melanie Trump facts beyond headlines.
How Melania Trump stole the show with her inauguration look
While Donald Trump’s red baseball caps have become a cultural symbol, Melania Trump turned heads at the inauguration (January 20, 2025) with a fashion statement entirely her own.
Standing behind her husband at the Capitol Rotunda as he took the oath of office, Melania’s face was partially hidden beneath the wide brim of a wool boater-style hat, exuding an air of intrigue. Designed by renowned New York milliner Eric Javits, the striking hat added a bold touch to her tailored, military-inspired ensemble. The navy silk wool coat, cinched at the waist, paired with bare legs and stiletto heels, showcased impeccable craftsmanship and sophistication.
Yet, it was the hat that truly stole the show, symbolizing Melania’s enigmatic public image. Her face, partly obscured, reflected a desire to balance her role in the spotlight with a quiet yearning for privacy—an elegant paradox that defined her presence.
She is one of two first ladies in history to have been born outside of the US
Melania Trump was born in Slovenia, making her only the second first lady born outside of the United States. The only other first lady in this category is Louisa Catherine Johnson, who was the wife of sixth US president John Quincy Adams. She was born in England.
She is the only first lady who speaks a language other than English as their first language
Melania Trump holds a unique place in American history as the only First Lady whose first language is not English. Born in Slovenia, her native language shaped her early life, but her linguistic talents set her apart, earning her recognition as a polyglot—someone fluent in multiple languages.
In addition to Slovenian, Melania speaks English, German, Italian, and Serbian with proficiency, making her the most linguistically gifted First Lady the United States has ever had.
Melania is the only first lady from a Communist country
Melania was born in Slovenia. At the time of her childhood, Slovenia was a part of the former country of Yugoslavia, which was a Communist country. She grew up in the small town of Sevnica, where many of the townspeople were not particularly well off financially. Despite this, people knew Melania, or Melanija Knavs (as she was called then), was “always very fancy” and someone who never wore clothes from typical stores.
No other first lady has been the third wife of a US President like her
Melania Trump may have held the prestigious role of First Lady, but she is actually Donald Trump’s third wife. His first marriage was to Ivana Trump, a Czech-American businesswoman and former model, with whom he shares three children: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. The pair were married for 15 years before their high-profile divorce in 1992.
Shortly after, Trump married actress and television personality Marla Maples in 1993. Their marriage, while brief, brought one child, Tiffany Trump, into the family before they divorced in 1999.
Melania, a Slovenian-born former model, became Donald Trump’s third wife in 2005. Their union not only made headlines for its opulence—featuring a lavish wedding at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate—but also cemented her as a public figure in her own right. Together, they have one son, Barron Trump, who has also drawn attention during Trump’s political rise.
Melania has made an appearance in a television commercial
In 2005, Melania Trump appeared in a quirky television commercial for Aflac, a popular American insurance company. The ad had a playful mad scientist theme, where a bizarre experiment caused Melania to swap voices with the company’s iconic Aflac duck mascot.
The humorous commercial blended Melania’s elegance with the duck’s comedic charm, creating a memorable moment that brought a touch of glamour to the Aflac brand. Long before becoming First Lady, this lighthearted role showcased her ability to shine in unexpected ways.
Melania has also been a very successful model
Before becoming the first lady of the United States, Melania Trump was a very successful model. She posed for Sports Illustrated, Vanity Fair, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue. She is also the only first lady of the United States to have posed nude, including for spreads in British GQ in 2000.
Melania Trump is one of the tallest US first ladies in history
Melania Trump is much taller than you might realize. She looks over most people she may meet, standing at 5 foot 11 inches tall. She is actually tied for the title of tallest first lady with two other former first ladies, Eleanor Roosevelt and Michelle Obama.
Melania Trump delayed her move into the White House
No other first lady has ever delayed their move into the White House, with every other first lady moving into the White House immediately upon their husbands moving into the White House. Melania is different from the rest, as she waited a full five months before joining her husband, Donald Trump, in the White House.
There were also rumors that the Trumps did not spend a lot of time together in the White House
Rumors were in the air that the Trumps spent “very little to no time together.” Sources also said that they slept in different bedrooms and had totally different schedules.
There are even conspiracies floated around reporting that she never actually lived in the White House with Donald. The alternative story is that she lived in a house near her son’s school with her parents.
