Childhood and Education Journey of Melania Trump in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Melania Trump. A timeline of key moments.

Melania Trump is a Slovenian-American former model and the current First Lady of the United States (since 2025), a position she also held from 2017 to 2021 during Donald Trump's previous presidency. She holds the distinction of being the first naturalized citizen to become First Lady, the second foreign-born First Lady, the second Roman Catholic First Lady, and the second First Lady to serve two non-consecutive terms.

Sections (5)

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

April 26, 1970: Birth of Melanija Knavs

On April 26, 1970, Melanija Knavs was born in Novo Mesto, Yugoslavia (now Slovenia).

April 26, 1970: Melania Trump's Birth

On April 26, 1970, Melanija Knavs, later known as Melania Knauss Trump, was born. She is a Slovenian and American former model who became the First Lady of the United States.

1985: CNN International Debut

In 1985, CNN International debuted and gave Melania's family access to American media which influenced her and provided exposure to global fashion.

1988: Start of Polling

In 1988, polling began for candidate's spouses. In 2016, Melania Trump became the only candidate's spouse since 1988 to have a disapproval rating greater than their approval rating.

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.

1993: Portrayal of First Female President

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

1995: Meeting Paolo Zampolli

In 1995, Melania met Paolo Zampolli, co-owner of Metropolitan Models, during a scouting trip in Europe.

1996: Immigration to the United States

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

1996: Move to Manhattan

In 1996, Melania moved to Manhattan after being urged by Paolo Zampolli to travel to the United States.

1997: Sexually Explicit Photoshoot for Max

In 1997, Melania was featured in a sexually explicit photo shoot for Max, a French men's magazine, photographed by Alexandre Ale de Basseville. The photos were unpaid, promising Melania exposure in a prominent magazine.

September 1998: Introduction to Donald Trump

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

1998: Meeting Donald Trump

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

February 1999: Appearance in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

In February 1999, Melania appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, photographed by Antoine Verglas.

October 7, 1999: Donald Trump's Reform Party Candidacy Announcement

On October 7, 1999, Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the Reform Party presidential nomination with Melania's support. She stated she would be traditional like Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy if he became president.

1999: Attention After Howard Stern Interview

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

January 2000: GQ Magazine Feature

In January 2000, Melania was featured in a GQ magazine spread, with images from a shoot that had access to Donald Trump's Boeing 727.

January 2000: Brief Breakup with Donald Trump

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

2001: Receiving Green Card

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

2002: Moving in Together at Trump Tower

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

April 2004: Appearance on The Apprentice

In April 2004, Melania 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 on her birthday as they were leaving to attend the Met Gala. She also signed his prenuptial agreement without issue.

January 22, 2005: Melania and Donald Trump's Wedding

On January 22, 2005, Donald and Melania Trump were married at the Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach, Florida, followed by a reception at Donald's Mar-a-Lago estate planned by Melania. The wedding was attended by numerous celebrities.

2005: Marriage to Donald Trump

In 2005, Melania Knauss married Donald Trump.

March 20, 2006: Birth of Barron William Trump

On March 20, 2006, Melania and Donald Trump's son, Barron William Trump, was born. Melania chose Barron's middle name, and took the primary role in raising him, avoiding nannies and limiting her social engagements.

July 28, 2006: Melania Becomes a U.S. Citizen

On July 28, 2006, Melania became a citizen of the United States. After becoming a citizen she sponsored her parents using the "chain migration" immigration process that her husband later repeatedly criticized. Melania and Barron maintain dual citizenship, both in the United States and Slovenia.

2009: Launch of Melania Jewelry Brand

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

2016: Controversies during the 2016 Presidential Campaign

In 2016, during Donald Trump's presidential campaign, Melania Trump faced press coverage for erotic photos from her modeling years and for a speech at the Republican National Convention that was found to be plagiarized from a speech by Michelle Obama. She also defended her husband following the release of the Access Hollywood tape.

2016: Unfavorable Approval Rating

In 2016, during the presidential election, Melania Trump had a disapproval rating greater than her approval rating, making her the only candidate's spouse since polling began in 1988 to have such a rating.

2016: Publication of Old Photos by New York Post

In 2016, photos from a 1997 sexually explicit photoshoot of Melania were published by the New York Post.

January 2017: Becoming First Lady

In January 2017, Melania Trump became the First Lady of the United States, with an approval rating of 36 or 37%.

January 20, 2017: Announcement to Stay in Manhattan

After Donald's inauguration as president on January 20, 2017, Melania announced that she would not move to Washington, D.C. with him, instead staying in Manhattan so Barron could finish the school year there. During this time, Melania negotiated new terms for her prenuptial agreement with Donald to reflect the changes in their lives.

March 8, 2017: Hosts First White House Event

On March 8, 2017, Melania 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.

May 2017: Incident in Israel Highlights Independent Streak

In May 2017, during a visit to Israel, Melania slapped away Donald's hand after he forgot she was walking beside him. This incident led to press coverage noticing her independent streak for the first time.

May 2017: Visit to Vatican City

In May 2017, the Trumps visited Vatican City. As Melania was visiting as a Roman Catholic, Pope Francis blessed her rosary beads, and she placed flowers at the feet of a statue of the Madonna at the Vatican's Bambino Gesù children's hospital.

June 11, 2017: Move into the White House

On June 11, 2017, Melania and her son, Barron, moved into the White House. Melania and Donald chose to sleep in separate bedrooms.

2017: First Term as First Lady

In 2017, Melania Trump assumed the role of First Lady of the United States for the first time, serving until 2021.

April 2018: Increased Approval Rating

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.

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

On August 9, 2018, Melania Trump's parents were granted American citizenship, which revitalized accusations of hypocrisy against the Trumps regarding chain migration.

2018: Challenges as First Lady in 2018

In 2018, Melania Trump faced allegations of extramarital affairs by her husband, underwent surgery for kidney disease, and experienced scrutiny of her wardrobe during a tour of Africa.

2019: Appearances at the Kennedy Center

In 2019 Melania made her first appearances at the Kennedy Center, as one of her official duties, she was the honorary chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

November 2020: Trump Unveils Sculpture in White House Rose Garden

In November 2020 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" in her eponymous memoir.

2020: Public association with the role of first lady

By 2020, Melania Trump had become more publicly associated with the role of first lady. Although often seen as cold by the public, those who interacted with her described her as a warm presence. During this time, the use of the hashtag #FreeMelania had decreased.

2020: Endorsement of Election Fraud Claims

In 2020, during the presidential election, Melania Trump endorsed her husband's false claims of election fraud.

2021: End of Tenure as First Lady

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

2021: End of First Lady Term

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

2021: Leaving the White House

In 2021, after leaving the White House, Melania Trump largely stayed out of the public view before assuming the role of First Lady again in 2025.

November 5, 2024: Donald Wins Election

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

2024: Michael Cohen's Testimony

In 2024, Donald's former personal counsel Michael Cohen testified that Donald had privately credited her as having suggested that the campaign's response strategy should best characterize the conversation on the tape as "locker room talk".