Career Timeline of Melania Trump: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Melania Trump made an impact.

Melania Trump, a Slovenian-American former model, has served as First Lady of the United States during two non-consecutive terms of her husband, Donald Trump's presidency (2017-2021 and since 2025). She is the first naturalized citizen to hold the role, the second foreign-born first lady after Louisa Adams, the second Roman Catholic first lady after Jacqueline Kennedy, and the second first lady to serve two nonconsecutive terms after Frances Cleveland. Her background as a model and immigrant sets her apart from previous First Ladies.

Sections (5)

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

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

In 2008, Michelle Obama gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention. A paragraph of Melania Trump's speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention was plagiarized from this speech.

2009: Trademarking of Melania Name

In 2009, Melania Trump trademarked her name, Melania, to launch a jewelry brand, selling less expensive pieces on QVC. The jewelry designs were based on New York, Palm Beach, and Paris, and Melania made sure to not use the Trump name. Melania's collections sold out each time.

2011: Development of Melania Marks Skincare Line

In 2011, Melania Trump developed a line of caviar-infused skincare products under the brand Melania Marks Skincare, though it never launched. A legal case with New Sunshine, the company selling the products, ensued over contract disputes, which was settled out of court in Melania's favor after she sued for $50 million in lost revenue.

November 2015: First Speaking Appearance

In November 2015, Melania Trump made one of her earliest speaking appearances in the campaign after Donald called on her to speak to the crowd, where she only said a few sentences.

February 2016: Second Speaking Appearance

In February 2016, Melania Trump made a second speaking appearance in the campaign after Donald called on her to speak to the crowd, where she only said a few sentences.

April 2016: First Scheduled Speech

In April 2016, Melania Trump gave her first scheduled speech during the campaign.

July 18, 2016: Speech at Republican National Convention

On July 18, 2016, Melania Trump delivered a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention. A controversy arose when a paragraph was found to be plagiarized from Michelle Obama's 2008 speech. Melania initially stated she wrote the speech herself "with as little help as possible." Staff writer Meredith McIver later took responsibility.

2016: Less Active Campaigning

During the 2016 presidential election, Melania was not as active a campaigner as she would be in future elections.

2016: Convincing Donald to Run for President

In 2016, Melania Trump convinced Donald Trump to campaign for president. She made it clear she would not be pressured into campaigning and would only make appearances when she wanted. Citing the need to stay home with Barron, she played a small role in the campaign, also reducing her activity on social media.

January 2017: Becoming First Lady

In January 2017, Melania Trump became First Lady of the United States after her husband Donald Trump was inaugurated as president.

March 8, 2017: First White House Event

On March 8, 2017, Melania Trump hosted her first White House event, a luncheon for International Women's Day. She spoke about her life as a female immigrant and about working towards gender equality through education.

2017: Licensing Photos Through Getty Images

In 2017, Melania Trump licensed photos from her photoshoots through Getty Images to control their use and maintain an income. She received royalties, estimated between $100,000 to $1,000,000, for each use.

May 7, 2018: Announcement of Be Best Campaign

On May 7, 2018, Melania Trump held a press conference at the White House Rose Garden to announce her official public initiative as first lady, the Be Best awareness campaign, focusing on children's welfare, cyberbullying, and opioid abuse prevention.

October 2018: Solo Tour of Africa

In October 2018, Melania Trump embarked on a solo tour of Africa, visiting Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt, focusing on children's welfare and promoting USAID relief work but faced criticism for fashion choices.

2019: First Appearances at the Kennedy Center

In 2019, Melania Trump made her first appearances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as its honorary chair, a role she had due to political tensions initially been uninvolved in.

April 2020: Staff Reorganization

In April 2020, Melania Trump reorganized her staff in anticipation of her husband's reelection campaign, appointing Marcia Lee Kelly and Emma Doyle to senior roles and shifting responsibilities after removing Lindsay Reynolds.

November 2020: Unveiling of Floor Frame Sculpture

In November 2020, Melania Trump unveiled the abstract sculpture Floor Frame by Isamu Noguchi in the White House Rose Garden. She described it as "embodying themes of resilience and renewal."

2021: End of First Lady tenure and lowest approval rating

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

July 2024: Increased Visibility and Memoir Announcement

In July 2024, Melania Trump became more visible after the attempted assassination of her husband and announced her upcoming memoir titled "Melania", but declined an invitation to speak at the Republican National Convention.

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December 2024: Filming Starts for Documentary

In December 2024, filming began for an upcoming documentary film on Melania Trump directed by Brett Ratner.

January 2025: Amazon Licenses Documentary and Cryptocurrency Launch

In January 2025, Amazon MGM Studios licensed an upcoming documentary film on Melania Trump. On the eve of Donald's inauguration, Melania launched her own cryptocurrency, the $Melania coin.

January 2025: Travels to Disaster Areas

In January 2025, during the first few days of her second tenure as first lady, Melania traveled with President Trump to North Carolina and Southern California to monitor the progress of rescue services after Hurricane Helene and the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.

January 20, 2025: Second Non-Consecutive Term as First Lady Begins

On January 20, 2025, Melania Trump became the second first lady to hold the position two times non-consecutively, after Frances Cleveland, during Donald Trump's second inauguration.

February 2025: Announcement of White House Tour Resumption

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

March 3, 2025: Solo Appearance on Capitol Hill for Take It Down Act

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, a bill concerning the removal of intimate imagery posted online without consent.

April 2025: Honoring Recipients 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.

July 2025: Hospital Visit and Flood Damage Survey

In July 2025, Melania Trump visited patients at Children's National Hospital, bringing gifts and participating in Independence Day activities with the children. Melania Trump also traveled with President Trump to survey damage following the July 2025 Central Texas floods.

August 2025: Influence on Russo-Ukrainian war policy shift

In August 2025, Melania Trump reportedly influenced President Trump's policy shift on the Russo-Ukrainian war after expressing concern over continued attacks. Following Melania's concern, President Trump issued a 50 day deadline for a ceasefire. Subsequently, Melania Trump authored a letter to President Putin, delivered by President Trump, urging compassion for children affected by the war and calling for peace.

October 2025: Addressed U.S. Navy and facilitated reunion of displaced children

In October 2025, Melania Trump addressed the U.S. Navy for its 250th celebration. Melania Trump also announced that eight children displaced during the Russo-Ukrainian war were reunited with their families following talks with Putin.