Melania Trump biography 2025 | From Slovenian Model to America’s First Lady with a $50–$70 Million Net Worth

Melania Trump, born Melanija Knavs, has navigated a remarkable journey from a small town in Slovenia to the White House, serving as the First Lady of the United States during Donald Trump’s presidencies (2017–2021 and 2025–present). As the second foreign-born and first naturalized U.S. citizen to hold the role, she has brought a unique perspective to the position. Known for her modeling career, business ventures, and enigmatic public persona, Melania’s net worth is estimated at $50–$70 million, largely from her entrepreneurial efforts and strategic investments. Below is a comprehensive biography, detailing her early life, career, recent activities, controversies, and financial standing, with a summary table and SEO-optimized tags for high traffic and low competition.

Early Life and Education

Born on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Yugoslavia (now Slovenia), Melania grew up in Sevnica, a modest town in the Lower Sava Valley. Her father, Viktor Knavs, managed a car and motorcycle dealership and was a member of the Slovenian Communist Party, while her mother, Amalija Ulčnik, worked as a patternmaker for Jutranjka, a children’s clothing manufacturer. Melania, alongside her older sister Ines, participated in factory fashion shows as a child, sparking her interest in modeling. She has a half-brother, Denis Cigelnjak, whom she has never met due to her father’s earlier relationship.

Tucker Carlson said,

Melania Trump is more beautiful than Jill Biden and Michelle Obama!

Give me a Thumbs Up 👍, If you agree with Tucker Carlson! pic.twitter.com/6skmV04ALL

— ᴺᵉʷˢ Ivanka Trump 🇺🇸🦅 (@IvankaNews_) June 19, 2025

Melania attended the Secondary School of Design and Photography in Ljubljana, later enrolling at the University of Ljubljana to study design and architecture. She dropped out after her first year to pursue modeling, a decision that shaped her global trajectory. Fluent in Slovenian, English, French, German, and Serbian, her multilingual skills reflect her European upbringing.

Modeling Career

Melania began modeling at 16, discovered by Slovenian photographer Stane Jerko in 1987. Adopting the name Melania Knauss, she signed with agencies in Milan and Paris, appearing in high-profile campaigns and gracing covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Vanity Fair, and Glamour. In 1996, she moved to New York City, sponsored by modeling agent Paolo Zampolli, and worked with Irene Marie Models and Trump Model Management. Her career included a cameo in Zoolander (2001) and appearances on Donald Trump’s The Apprentice (2004–2015).

Business Ventures

Melania leveraged her modeling success into entrepreneurial ventures. In 2010, she launched Melania Timepieces and Jewelry through QVC, reportedly earning over $45 million, with $7 million in the past year alone. In 2013, she introduced a caviar-based skincare line, Melania Caviar Complexe C6. Her 2024 memoir, Melania, became a #1 New York Times bestseller, generating significant royalties. In January 2025, she launched the $Melania cryptocurrency, following the $Trump coin, capitalizing on her public profile. Her role as an executive producer for a $40 million Amazon MGM Studios documentary, filmed starting December 2024, adds to her financial portfolio.

First Lady Role and Advocacy

Melania became First Lady on January 20, 2017, but delayed moving to the White House until June to allow her son, Barron, to finish his school year in New York. Her signature initiative, Be Best (launched 2018), focused on children’s well-being, combating cyberbullying, and addressing opioid abuse. She visited children’s hospitals, schools, and orphanages, including a 2018 solo trip to Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt to promote USAID programs. Her advocacy influenced policies, such as Donald Trump’s ban on fruit-flavored e-cigarette cartridges and the end of the family separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2018.

In her second term (2025–present), Melania has continued Be Best, emphasizing children’s welfare. She has made limited public appearances, including attending the Kennedy Center’s Les Misérables opening on June 4, 2025, with Donald Trump, a Barbara Bush stamp unveiling, and a Celebration of Military Mothers on May 8, 2025. She also accompanied Trump to North Carolina (post-Hurricane Helene) and Southern California (wildfire monitoring) in January 2025. On February 25, 2025, she announced the reopening of White House public tours.

Personal Life

Melania met Donald Trump in 1998 at a New York Fashion Week party hosted by Paolo Zampolli. Despite Trump arriving with another date, Melania insisted on taking his number, a move she later described as a test of his intentions. They began dating in 1999, got engaged in 2004, and married on January 22, 2005, at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach, Florida, with a $200,000 Christian Dior gown and guests like Hillary Clinton and Billy Joel. Their son, Barron William Trump, born March 20, 2006, is fluent in Slovenian and English, reflecting Melania’s cultural influence. Melania is fiercely protective of Barron, an NYU student, shielding him from media scrutiny. The family resides primarily at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, valued at $350 million, with additional properties including a $1.5 million Trump Tower apartment purchased in 2016.

Melania became a U.S. permanent resident in 2001 and a naturalized citizen in 2006, making her the first naturalized First Lady. In 2018, she underwent an embolization procedure for a benign kidney condition at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Controversies

Melania’s tenure has not been without controversy:

• 2016 RNC Speech: Her Republican National Convention speech drew plagiarism accusations for similarities to Michelle Obama’s 2008 address, leading to an apology from a speechwriter.
• Immigration Scrutiny: Allegations surfaced that Melania worked in the U.S. before obtaining a proper visa, sparking debate during Trump’s 2016 campaign, which focused on immigration.
• 2017 Lawsuit: Melania won a $2.9 million settlement against the Daily Mail for a 2016 article alleging she worked as an escort, which she claimed caused emotional distress and lost business opportunities.
• 2020 Election Stance: She endorsed Trump’s false 2020 election fraud claims, stating in her memoir, “I am not the only person who questions the results,” drawing criticism.
• Abortion Stance: Her 2024 memoir revealed a pro-choice position, clashing with Republican anti-abortion activists and causing tension before the election.
• Public Absence: Melania’s limited 2024 campaign appearances, including skipping a speech at the RNC, broke tradition and fueled speculation about her commitment. Her statement after a July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump called for “unity.”
• Africa Tour (2018): Her wardrobe, including a pith helmet in Kenya, was criticized for colonial connotations, and her trip was overshadowed by Trump’s proposed USAID cuts.

Recent Activities (2025)

Melania has maintained a low profile in her second term, focusing on selective engagements. She attended former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral in January 2025 and spoke at the International Women of Courage Awards. Her support for the Take It Down Act, addressing deepfake revenge porn, aligns with her Be Best cyberbullying focus. Posts on X highlight her Kennedy Center appearance with Trump, with @nicksortor noting her “stunning” presence, while @LongTimeHistory criticized her $237,000 Log Cabin Republicans speaking fee and $330,607 for another engagement, suggesting financial opportunism.

Net Worth

Melania’s net worth is estimated at $50–$70 million, derived from:

• Modeling Career: Earnings from international campaigns and magazine covers, estimated at $5–$10 million.
• Business Ventures: Melania Timepieces and Jewelry ($45 million+), Melania Caviar Complexe C6, and memoir royalties (potentially $1–$2 million).
• Documentary Deal: A share of Amazon’s $40 million licensing fee for her 2025 documentary as an executive producer.
• Real Estate: A $1.5 million Trump Tower apartment and access to Mar-a-Lago’s value.
• Speaking Engagements: $237,000 from Log Cabin Republicans and $330,607 for other events in 2024–2025.

Claims of a $250 million net worth, tied to Trump’s wealth, lack evidence, as her fortune is largely self-made. A 2024 ExploreNetWorth estimate of $5 million is outdated and inconsistent with her business success.

Summary Table

Outlook

At 55, Melania Trump remains an enigmatic figure, balancing a private life with high-profile duties. Her selective 2025 appearances, focus on Be Best, and advocacy for issues like children’s welfare and deepfake legislation highlight her deliberate approach. Her $50–$70 million net worth underscores her business acumen, while her pro-choice stance and limited campaign involvement suggest independence from Trump’s political machine. As she navigates her second term, Melania’s influence—rooted in poise and strategic discretion—continues to shape her legacy.

Sources: Wikipedia, Britannica, Biography.com, Marca, Finance Monthly, WhiteHouse.gov, USA Today, Posts on X