How education and upbringing influenced the life of Melania Trump. A timeline of key moments.
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.
On April 26, 1970, Melanija Knavs, who would later become Melania Trump, was born. She is the first lady of the United States since 2025 and previously held the role from 2017 to 2021.
In 1996, Melania Knauss immigrated to the United States after being sponsored by Paolo Zampolli.
In 1996, Melania moved to Manhattan after being encouraged by Paolo Zampolli.
In 2001, Melania received her green card, granting her permanent residency in the United States.
On January 22, 2005, Donald and Melania married at the Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach, Florida, followed by a reception at Mar-a-Lago.
On March 20, 2006, Melania and Donald Trump's son, Barron William Trump, was born. Melania chose the middle name, and Donald chose the first name. Melania insisted on raising Barron herself with minimal help.
On July 28, 2006, Melania Trump became a citizen of the United States. She subsequently sponsored her parents for citizenship using "chain migration".
In November 2015, Melania Trump made one of her first speaking appearances after being prompted by Donald to speak to the crowd.
In February 2016, Melania Trump made another speaking appearance after being prompted by Donald to speak to the crowd.
In April 2016, Melania Trump delivered her first scheduled speech during Donald Trump's presidential campaign.
On July 18, 2016, Melania Trump gave a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention. A paragraph of the speech was found to be plagiarized from Michelle Obama's 2008 speech.
In 2016, Melania convinced Donald Trump to campaign for president. She took a small role in the campaign and cited the need to stay home with her son Barron.
On January 20, 2017, after Donald Trump's inauguration as president, Melania announced she would not immediately move to Washington, D.C., and would instead stay in Manhattan with Barron. She also negotiated her prenuptial agreement.
In May 2017, Melania and Donald Trump visited Vatican City. Melania, as a Catholic, had her rosary beads blessed by Pope Francis and placed flowers at the Madonna statue.
On June 11, 2017, Melania and her son, Barron, moved into the White House. Melania and Donald Trump chose to sleep in separate bedrooms.
In 2017, Melania Trump became the First Lady of the United States for the first time, as the wife of President Donald Trump.
In April 2018, Melania Trump learned that she was afflicted with kidney disease, sharing the information only with her parents, husband, and sister.
In 2018, Melania Trump planned the White House Christmas decorations, which were widely derided for their unconventional design.
In 2021, Melania Trump left the White House, largely staying out of the public view before assuming the role of first lady again in 2025.
In 2021, Melania Trump's term as First Lady of the United States came to an end with the conclusion of Donald Trump's presidency.
In September 2024, President Trump and Melania traveled to parts of North Carolina that were hit by Hurricane Helene.
In 2024, during the trial of Donald J. Trump, Michael Cohen testified that Melania Trump suggested the campaign's response to the Access Hollywood tape should be to characterize the conversation as "locker room talk".
In January 2025, President Trump and Melania monitored the progress of fire rescue services for the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.
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.
In 2025, Melania Trump assumes the role of First Lady again.
In 2025, Melania Trump became the First Lady of the United States again, as the wife of President Donald Trump.