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, is the First Lady of the United States, serving non-consecutive terms from 2017 to 2021 and since 2025, as the wife of President Donald Trump. She is the first naturalized citizen to hold the position, the second foreign-born First Lady after Louisa Adams, the second Catholic First Lady after Jacqueline Kennedy, and only the second First Lady after Frances Cleveland to serve two non-consecutive terms.
1992: Runner-up in Jana Magazine Look of the Year
In 1992, Melania Knauss was named runner-up in the Jana Magazine Look of the Year contest, which offered an international modeling contract to the top three contestants. She signed with RVR Reclame in Milan, but left a few months later.
1993: Melania portrays first female president
In 1993, Melania portrayed the first female president of the United States during a modeling job in Europe.
1996: Melania immigrates to the United States
In 1996, Melania Knauss immigrated to the United States after being sponsored by Paolo Zampolli.
1996: Moves to Manhattan
In 1996, Melania moved to Manhattan after being encouraged by Paolo Zampolli.
1997: Explicit Photo Shoot
In 1997, Melania was featured in a sexually explicit photo shoot for Max, a French men's magazine.
February 1999: Joins Trump Model Management
In February 1999, Melania became one of the first models recruited to Donald's modeling agency, Trump Model Management.
October 7, 1999: Donald announces candidacy for president
On October 7, 1999, Donald announced his candidacy for the Reform Party presidential nomination, which Melania supported.
January 2000: GQ Magazine Spread
In January 2000, Melania appeared in GQ magazine, with images from a shoot where Donald's Boeing 727 was used.
2000: Melania supports Donald's presidential campaign
In 2000, Melania supported Donald Trump during his presidential campaign.
2009: Melania starts her jewelry brand
In 2009, Melania Trump started her own jewelry brand, called Melania.
2009: Trademarked "Melania" as Jewelry Brand
In 2009, Melania trademarked her name "Melania" as a jewelry brand and began selling jewelry on QVC, intentionally avoiding the "Trump" name in her branding.
2011: Developed Melania Marks Skincare Line
In 2011, Melania developed a caviar-infused skincare line called Melania Marks Skincare, which was never launched and led to a legal dispute that was later settled out of court in her favor.
2016: Contrast to 2020 Campaign Activity
In 2016 Melania was not an active campaigner, which was a contrast to her increased activity in 2020 during her husband's reelection bid.
March 8, 2017: Hosted International Women's Day Luncheon
On March 8, 2017, Melania Trump hosted her first White House event, a luncheon for International Women's Day, where she spoke about gender equality.
2017: Licensed Photos for Royalties
In 2017, Melania Trump licensed photos from her photoshoots through Getty Images, earning between $100,000 to $1,000,000 in royalties.
May 7, 2018: Be Best Awareness Campaign Launch
On May 7, 2018, Melania Trump announced her official public initiative as first lady, the "Be Best" awareness campaign, in the White House Rose Garden. The initiative aimed to support the welfare of children, advocate against cyberbullying, and prevent opioid abuse.
October 2018: Melania Trump's Solo Tour of Africa
In October 2018, Melania Trump undertook a solo tour of Africa, visiting Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt. She spent time with children in schools, orphanages, and hospitals, promoted relief work, and faced criticism for her fashion choices and comments.
April 2020: Staff Reorganization in Anticipation of Reelection Campaign
In April 2020, Melania Trump carried out a major reorganization of her staff in anticipation of her husband's reelection campaign.
2023: Equivalent of $20,000 in 1996 = $39,000 in 2023
The $20,000 that Melania earned in 1996 for accepting modeling jobs when her travel visa did not allow her to work, would be equivalent to $39,000 in 2023.
December 2024: Filming Started on Melania Documentary
In December 2024, filming started on an upcoming documentary film on Melania Trump.
2024: Proudly Behind Nude Modeling
In September of 2024, Melania Trump said that she stood 'proudly behind [her] nude modeling work' in a post on X.
January 2025: Amazon MGM Studios announced licensing of documentary
In January 2025, Amazon MGM Studios announced that it had licensed an upcoming documentary film on Melania Trump.
January 20, 2025: Melania Becomes Second Two-Time Non-Consecutive First Lady
On January 20, 2025, during the 60th United States presidential inauguration, Melania Trump became the second first lady to hold the position two times non-consecutively, after Frances Cleveland.
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.
