History of Melania Trump in Timeline

Melania Trump is a Slovenian-American former model who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and again starting in 2025. As the wife of Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th U.S. President, she holds several distinctions: the first naturalized citizen, the first non-native English speaker, the second foreign-born, the second Roman Catholic, and the second to hold the position nonconsecutively. Her background as a model preceded her role in American politics.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

April 26, 1970: Melania Trump's birth in Novo Mesto, Slovenia

On April 26, 1970, Melanija Knavs was born in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, which was then part of Yugoslavia. Her father, Viktor Knavs, worked selling car parts, and her mother, Amalija Knavs, worked as a patternmaker.

April 26, 1970: Melania Trump's Birth

On April 26, 1970, Melanija Knavs, later known as Melania Trump, was born. She is a Slovenian and American former model.

1992: Runner-up in Jana Magazine Look of the Year contest

In 1992, Melania Knauss was named runner-up in the Jana Magazine Look of the Year contest, which promised its top three contestants an international modeling contract.

1993: Modeled as first female President

In 1993, Melania Knauss portrayed the first female president of the United States in a modeling job.

1995: Met Paolo Zampolli

In 1995, Melania Knauss met Paolo Zampolli, co-owner of Metropolitan Models, in Milan.

1996: Immigration to the United States

In 1996, Melania Knauss immigrated to the United States after being sponsored by Paolo Zampolli.

1996: Moved to Manhattan

In 1996, Melania Knauss moved to Manhattan after being urged by Paolo Zampolli.

1997: Nude Photo Shoot for Max Magazine

In 1997, Melania Knauss was featured in a nude photo shoot for Max, a French men's magazine.

September 1998: Introduction to Donald Trump

In September 1998, Melania Knauss was introduced to Donald Trump by Paolo Zampolli at a party.

1998: Meeting Donald Trump

In 1998, Melania Knauss met Donald Trump in Manhattan, shortly after being introduced by Paolo Zampolli.

February 1999: Featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

In February 1999, Melania Knauss appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

October 7, 1999: Support for Trump's Presidential Candidacy

On October 7, 1999, Melania Knauss supported Donald Trump's announcement of his candidacy for the Reform Party presidential nomination and expressed her intention to be a "traditional" first lady.

1999: Attention from Howard Stern Interview

In 1999, Melania Knauss and Donald Trump gained attention after an interview with Howard Stern on his show, where they answered lewd sexual questions.

January 2000: Appearance in GQ Magazine

In January 2000, Melania Knauss appeared in GQ magazine, with images from a shoot that gained access to Donald Trump's Boeing 727 aircraft.

January 2000: Reported Breakup with Donald Trump

In January 2000, it was reported that Melania Knauss and Donald Trump had broken up, but they reunited a few months later.

2000: Application for EB-1 Visa

In 2000, Melania Knauss applied for an EB-1 visa, also known as an "Einstein visa".

2000: Support for Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign

In 2000, Melania Knauss supported Donald Trump during his presidential campaign.

2001: Received Green Card

In 2001, Melania Knauss received her green card, granting her permanent residency in the United States.

2001: Approval of EB-1 Visa

In 2001, Melania Knauss's application for an EB-1 visa, colloquially known as an "Einstein visa", was approved.

2002: Moved in with Donald Trump

In 2002, Melania Knauss and Donald Trump moved in together at Trump Tower.

April 2004: Appearance on The Apprentice

In April 2004, Melania Knauss made her first appearance on Donald Trump's game show, The Apprentice.

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April 26, 2004: Engagement to Donald Trump

On April 26, 2004, Donald Trump proposed to Melania Knauss on her birthday as they were leaving to attend the Met Gala.

January 22, 2005: Marriage to Donald Trump

On January 22, 2005, Donald Trump and Melania Knauss married at the Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach, Florida, followed by a reception at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

2005: Marriage to Donald Trump

In 2005, Melania Knauss married Donald Trump.

2005: Access Hollywood Tape Recording

In 2005, the Access Hollywood tape was recorded, featuring audio of Donald Trump making lewd remarks about women. The tape was leaked in October 2016, a month before the election, causing immediate concern for Melania Trump's reaction.

March 20, 2006: Birth of Barron William Trump

On March 20, 2006, Melania and Donald Trump had a son, Barron William Trump. Melania chose Barron's middle name, while Donald chose his first name. After Barron's birth, Melania became very involved in his life, reducing her attendance at events with Donald, as he had indicated he would not be actively involved in raising the child.

July 2006: Alleged Extramarital Affair

In July 2006, an alleged extramarital affair between Donald Trump and pornographic actress Stormy Daniels reportedly took place after the Trumps' marriage and the birth of their son, according to a scandal that broke in January 2018.

July 28, 2006: Melania Becomes a US Citizen

On July 28, 2006, Melania Trump became a citizen of the United States. Subsequently, she sponsored her parents' immigration using a process later criticized by her husband. Melania and her son Barron maintain dual citizenship of both the United States and Slovenia.

2008: Michelle Obama's Speech at the Democratic National Convention

In 2008, Michelle Obama delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention. In July 18, 2016, a paragraph from this speech was plagiarized in Melania Trump's speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention, leading to controversy.

2009: Launch of Jewelry Brand

In 2009, Melania Knauss started her own jewelry brand named Melania.

July 2016: Publication of Nude Images in New York Post

In July 2016, more nude images of Melania Trump were published on the front page of the New York Post in a story titled "The Ogle Office". While the images were not seen to have a major impact on the campaign as Melania was viewed as the victim, they were humiliating, and she spent the subsequent two months away from the public.

July 18, 2016: Speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention

On July 18, 2016, Melania Trump gave a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention. The speech caused controversy when a paragraph was found to have been plagiarized from Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic National Convention speech. Melania stated she wrote the speech herself with minimal assistance, and Trump staff writer Meredith McIver later took responsibility for the misunderstanding.

2016: Disapproval rating greater than approval rating

During the 2016 presidential election, Melania Trump became the only candidate's spouse since 1988 to have a disapproval rating greater than their approval rating.

2016: Press Coverage and Speech Controversy during 2016 Election

In 2016, Melania Trump received press coverage during the campaign when erotic photos from her modeling years were republished. Also in 2016, a speech she gave at the Republican National Convention was found to be plagiarized. She also defended her husband following the release of the Access Hollywood tape.

2016: Republishing of Nude Photos

In 2016, nude photos of Melania Knauss from a 1997 issue of Max magazine were republished by the New York Post.

January 2017: Approval rating leading up to becoming First Lady

In January 2017, leading up to becoming First Lady, Melania Trump's approval rating stood at 36 or 37%.

2017: Became First Lady of the United States

In 2017, Melania Trump became the First Lady of the United States as the wife of Donald Trump.

April 2018: Melania learned she was afflicted with kidney disease

In April 2018, Melania Trump learned that she was afflicted with kidney disease, but she only disclosed this information to her parents, husband, and sister.

April 2018: Approval rating increase

In April 2018, Melania Trump's approval rating increased to 57% in a CNN poll after she received public sympathy amid allegations that her husband had committed adultery.

May 7, 2018: Launch of Be Best Awareness Campaign

On May 7, 2018, Melania Trump held a press conference in the White House Rose Garden to announce her official public initiative as first lady, the Be Best awareness campaign. The initiative was created to support the welfare of children, advocate against cyberbullying, and prevent opioid abuse.

August 9, 2018: Melania's Parents Granted American Citizenship

On August 9, 2018, Melania Trump's parents were granted American citizenship, revitalizing accusations of hypocrisy against the Trumps regarding Melania's parents' immigration status due to Donald Trump's stance against chain migration.

October 2018: Melania's Africa Tour and Controversies

In October 2018, Melania Trump embarked on a solo tour of Africa, visiting Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt. She spent time with children in schools, orphanages, and hospitals, promoted USAID relief work, and faced criticism for her fashion choices, including a pith helmet in Kenya. She responded to criticisms by saying she was "the most bullied person in the world".

2018: Criticism of Husband's Immigration Policy

In 2018, Melania Trump was openly critical of her husband's "zero tolerance" policy of denying asylum at the Mexico–United States border, where children were being separated from their parents. She influenced his decision to end it.

2018: Challenges as First Lady in 2018

In 2018, as First Lady, Melania Trump faced challenges including allegations of extramarital affairs by her husband, surgery for kidney disease, and scrutiny over her wardrobe during a tour of Africa.

October 2019: Justice Department Lawsuit Against Winston Wolkoff

In October 2019, the Justice Department filed a civil suit against Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, alleging breach of a nondisclosure agreement.

2019: Criticism of Be Best Campaign and Hypocrisy

In 2019, the Be Best campaign drew criticism for its perceived hypocrisy, challenging cyberbullying while her husband was known for attacking people online. This was highlighted when the president criticized Greta Thunberg after Melania criticized Pamela Karlan for mentioning Barron Trump.

April 2020: Staff Reorganization

In April 2020, Melania Trump carried out a major reorganization of her staff in anticipation of her husband's reelection campaign, appointing Marcia Lee Kelly as her senior advisor and Emma Doyle as her policy advisor. Lindsay Reynolds was removed as chief of staff.

October 1, 2020: Release of Audiotapes by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff

On October 1, 2020, Melania Trump's former advisor Stephanie Winston Wolkoff released audiotapes that featured Melania making profane statements about her image and role as first lady, discussing her "I really don't care, do u" jacket, and expressing frustration with Christmas decorations.

December 2020: Ranked worst first lady in Siena College Research Institute study

In December 2020, the Siena College Research Institute released a study ranking Melania Trump as the worst of 40 assessed American first ladies. She received the lowest assessments in all of the metrics that were weighed.

2020: Rumors of animosity toward husband became less common

By 2020, rumors of Melania Trump's secret animosity towards her husband became less common as she became more publicly associated with the role of first lady, despite disliking being seen as helpless.

2020: Endorsement of False Election Claims and Departure from White House

In 2020, despite Donald Trump's election loss, Melania Trump endorsed his false statement that he had been the legitimate election winner. She stopped visiting her office, focused on photo albums, and did not immediately comment on the January 6 United States Capitol attack. On January 18, she released a farewell video and left a letter for Jill Biden but did not make transition arrangements.

2020: Endorsement of Election Fraud Claims

In 2020, during the final months of her initial tenure as First Lady, Melania Trump endorsed her husband's false claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

February 2021: Justice Department Lawsuit Dropped

In February 2021, under the Biden administration, the Justice Department dropped the civil suit against Stephanie Winston Wolkoff.

2021: Leaving the White House

After leaving the White House in 2021, Melania Trump largely stayed out of the public view before assuming the role of first lady again in 2025.

2021: Finished tenure as least popular first lady since polling began

In 2021, Melania Trump finished her tenure as the least popular first lady since polling began with a rating of 42%.

2021: End of First Lady tenure

In 2021, Melania Trump's tenure as First Lady of the United States came to an end.

September 2022: Melania's Interview with Breitbart News

In September 2022, Melania Trump stated in an interview with Breitbart News that the audiotapes released by Stephanie Winston Wolkoff had been strategically edited.

November 2023: Attendance at Rosalynn Carter's Memorial Service

In November 2023, Melania Trump attended the memorial service for former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

July 2024: Increased Visibility and Memoir Announcement

In July 2024, Melania Trump became more visible after an attempted assassination of her husband, appearing at the 2024 Republican National Convention but declining to speak. She announced her intention to publish a memoir titled "Melania" and caused controversy by supporting abortion rights.

September 2024: Hurricane Helene Hit Parts of North Carolina

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene hit parts of North Carolina.

September 2024: Defense of Nude Modeling Work

In September 2024, Melania Knauss stated that she stood 'proudly behind [her] nude modeling work' in a post on X (Twitter).

November 5, 2024: Donald Trump Wins the Election

On November 5, 2024, Donald Trump won the presidential election.

December 2024: Filming Starts for Melania Documentary

In December 2024, filming commenced for a documentary film about Melania Trump, directed by Brett Ratner.

2024: Michael Cohen's Testimony Regarding 'Locker Room Talk'

In 2024, Michael Cohen testified during The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump trial. He stated that Donald Trump credited Melania as suggesting the campaign's response strategy characterize his conversation on the 2005 Access Hollywood tape as "locker room talk".

January 2025: Amazon MGM Studios Licenses Documentary and Attends Jimmy Carter's Funeral

In January 2025, Amazon MGM Studios announced it had licensed a documentary film on Melania Trump for distribution. Also in January 2025, Melania Trump attended the funeral for former President Jimmy Carter.

January 2025: Southern California Wildfires

In January 2025, Southern California experienced wildfires.

January 20, 2025: Second Inauguration as First Lady

On January 20, 2025, during Donald Trump's second inauguration, Melania Trump became the second first lady to hold the position two times non-consecutively, after Frances Cleveland, and the first one to assume the role of first lady at two non-consecutive inaugurations.

February 2025: Resumption of White House Public Tours

In February 2025, Melania Trump announced that public tours of the White House would resume on the 25th day of the month.

March 3, 2025: First Solo Appearance for the Term

On March 3, 2025, Melania Trump made her first solo appearance as first lady for the term by attending a roundtable discussion at Capitol Hill on the Take It Down Act.

April 2025: Honoring Recipients at International Women of Courage Awards and Reopening White House Garden Tours

In April 2025, Melania Trump honored recipients at the annual International Women of Courage Awards and reopened tours of the White House gardens in early bloom.

April 21, 2025: White House Easter Egg Roll

On April 21, 2025, Melania Trump hosted the White House Easter Egg Roll with her husband, which drew crowds of around 40,000.

May 2025: Hosting Celebrations and Events at the White House

In May 2025, Melania Trump hosted a celebration honoring military mothers, an event where a postage stamp dedicated to former first lady Barbara Bush was unveiled, and welcomed the children of White House employees for "White House Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day".

May 2025: Report of $Melania Coin Launch and Dubious Activity

In May 2025, it was reported by the Financial Times that two dozen wallets purchased $2.6 million worth of the $Melania coin minutes before Melania announced the launch on her Truth Social account and then sold them off in the upcoming days for $100 million.

June 2025: Attendance at Congressional Picnic and U.S. Army Anniversary Parade

In June 2025, Melania Trump attended the 2025 Congressional Picnic and the U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Parade.

July 2025: Influenced President Trump's policy shift on Russo-Ukrainian war

In July 2025, Melania Trump reportedly influenced President Trump's policy shift on the Russo-Ukrainian war after expressing concern over the conflict's impact on children. President Trump subsequently laid out a 50-day deadline for a ceasefire.

July 2025: Survey of Flood Damage and Opera House Renaming Proposal

In July 2025, Melania Trump traveled with President Trump to survey damage following the July 2025 Central Texas floods. On July 22, House Republicans proposed renaming the opera house at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after Melania.

July 2025: Visited patients at Children's National Hospital

In July 2025, Melania Trump visited patients at Children's National Hospital, bringing gifts and participating in Independence Day activities with the children.

August 2025: Authored letter to President Putin

In August 2025, Melania Trump authored a letter to President Putin, which President Trump hand-delivered during the Alaska summit. The letter, which was published on social media, urged compassion for children affected by war and called for peace.

August 2025: Threatened to sue Hunter Biden for one billion dollars

In August 2025, Melania Trump threatened to sue Hunter Biden for one billion dollars after he claimed that she had been introduced to Donald Trump by Jeffrey Epstein. Donald Trump encouraged her to pursue legal action after Biden refused to retract his comments.

September 17, 2025: Attended banquet with King Charles III and Queen Camilla

On September 17, 2025, Melania Trump and President Trump attended a banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

October 2025: Announced Muse Films production company

In October 2025, Melania Trump announced Muse Films, her own production company, and its first project, a documentary about herself titled "Melania," directed by Brett Ratner.

October 23, 2025: Reported to be eschewing Washington, D.C.

On October 23, 2025, CNN reported that Melania Trump was "eschewing the nation's capital for New York and Palm Beach" and using the Office of the First Lady of the United States far less, employing a "skeletal staff".

November 2025: Raised concerns over demolition of East Wing

In November 2025, The Wall Street Journal and The Hill reported that Melania Trump privately raised concerns over her husband's demolition of the East Wing to make room for the White House State Ballroom. President Trump dismissed these reports.

2025: Assumed role as First Lady of the United States

In 2025, Melania Trump assumed the role of First Lady of the United States, a position she previously held from 2017 to 2021.

2025: Value of earnings from modeling jobs

In the United States, her earnings in 2025 for ten modeling jobs, despite her travel visa not allowing it, were approximately $41,000.

January 16, 2026: Addressed schools on Artificial Intelligence

On January 16, 2026, Melania Trump addressed schools across the nation through Zoom, discussing how students can use artificial intelligence for creativity and warning about its potential to hijack their thinking.

January 30, 2026: Scheduled Release of Melania Documentary

The documentary titled Melania, was scheduled for release in US theaters and other territories on January 30, 2026.

March 2026: Presided over a United Nations Security Council meeting

In March 2026, Melania Trump became the first first lady to preside over a United Nations Security Council meeting, which was held to discuss children, technology, and education in conflict. Later that month, she hosted a two-day Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit at the State Department and introduced a Humanoid robot known as Figure 3.