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 who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and again starting in 2025. Married to President Donald Trump, she is the first naturalized U.S. citizen to hold the position of First Lady. She is also the second foreign-born First Lady, following Louisa Adams, and only the second Roman Catholic First Lady after Jacqueline Kennedy. Furthermore, she's the second First Lady to serve two non-consecutive terms, after Frances Cleveland.

Sections (5)

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

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: Debut of CNN International

In 1985, the debut of CNN International gave Melania Trump and her family access to American media, influencing her with global fashion during her youth in Slovenia.

1993: Portrayal of First Female President

In 1993, Melania portrayed the first female president of the United States during one of her modeling jobs in Europe.

1995: Meeting Paolo Zampolli

In 1995, Melania met Metropolitan Models co-owner Paolo Zampolli, who was on a scouting trip in Europe, in Milan. Zampolli would later become a long time friend and play an important role in her life.

1996: Immigration to the United States

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

1996: Move to Manhattan

In 1996, Melania moved to Manhattan upon the urging of Paolo Zampolli, where he said he would like to represent her.

September 1998: Meeting 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. Paolo Zampolli introduced them and they began dating shortly thereafter.

October 7, 1999: Donald Trump Announces Candidacy

On October 7, 1999, Donald Trump announced his candidacy for the Reform Party presidential nomination, with Melania supporting the move.

January 2000: Brief Breakup with Donald Trump

In January 2000, news broke that Melania and Donald Trump had broken up, though they reunited a few months later.

2000: Support for Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign

In 2000, Melania Knauss supported Donald Trump during his presidential campaign while he helped her get more modeling jobs.

2001: Green Card Acquisition

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

2002: Move to 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.

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

On January 22, 2005, Donald Trump and Melania Knauss were married at the Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach, Florida, followed by a reception at Donald's Mar-a-Lago estate. Melania meticulously planned the wedding with Preston Bailey, and the event was attended by numerous celebrities. Melania had her sister Ines as her only bridesmaid, and she declined Donald's suggestion to broadcast the wedding on NBC.

2005: Marriage to Donald Trump

In 2005, Melania Knauss and Donald Trump married.

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, William, while Donald chose his first name, Barron. Melania was active in Barron's life, raising him without nannies and accordingly spent less time attending events with her husband.

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

On July 28, 2006, Melania became a citizen of the United States. Following this, she sponsored her parents' immigration using the "chain migration" process. Melania and Barron maintain dual citizenship in the United States and Slovenia, and she spends most of her time at Trump residences with her parents and son.

2009: Launch of Jewelry Brand

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

2016: Melania Convinces Donald to Run for President

In 2016, Melania Trump convinced Donald Trump to campaign for president. She made it clear that she would not be pressured into campaigning or attending events, and that she would only make appearances when she wanted to. Melania played a relatively small role in the campaign, citing the need to stay home with her son Barron. Her daily routine was altered by the campaign, and she became less active on social media.

2016: Campaign Controversies and Defense of Donald Trump

In 2016, Melania Trump received press coverage during Donald Trump's presidential campaign when erotic photos from her modeling years were published, and a speech she gave at the Republican National Convention was found to be plagiarized. She also defended her husband after the release of the Access Hollywood tape.

2016: Publication of Old Photos

In 2016, photos from a 1997 sexually explicit photo shoot for Max magazine were published by the New York Post, bringing the photos back into the public eye.

January 20, 2017: Inauguration and Decision to Stay in Manhattan

After Donald Trump's inauguration as president on January 20, 2017, Melania Trump announced that she would not move to Washington, D.C. with him, instead staying in Manhattan. This was to allow Barron to finish the school year there and to introduce him to the White House gradually. During this time, Melania negotiated new terms for her prenuptial agreement with Donald to reflect the changes in their lives since it was signed and to ensure that Barron received a suitable inheritance.

May 2017: Incident in Israel

During a visit to Israel in May 2017, Melania Trump received public attention when Donald Trump forgot that she was by his side and she fell behind the group while walking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She slapped away his hand when he reached out to grab hers. This event marked the first time press coverage of Melania took notice of an independent streak.

May 2017: Trump's Visit to Vatican City

In May 2017, Melania and Donald Trump visited Vatican City. As a Roman Catholic, Melania had her rosary beads blessed by Pope Francis and placed flowers at the feet of a statue of the Madonna at the Vatican's Bambino Gesù children's hospital.

June 11, 2017: Melania and Barron Move into the White House

On June 11, 2017, Melania Trump and her son, Barron, moved into the White House. Melania and Donald chose to sleep in separate bedrooms. In her first year, Melania gave only eight speeches, and she communicated her activities through video. Most of Melania's appearances as first lady in 2017 were in Manhattan and Washington, and she typically spoke about women's and children's issues.

2017: First Term as First Lady

In 2017, Melania Trump first became the First Lady of the United States, serving alongside her husband, President Donald Trump.

2017: Melania Licenses Photos Through Getty Images

In 2017, to protect use of her image and maintain an income, Melania Trump licensed photos from her photoshoots through Getty Images. She received royalties for each use. The Office of Government Ethics reported that she made $100,000 to $1,000,000 in royalties.

April 2018: Diagnosis of Kidney Disease

In April 2018, Melania Trump learned that she was afflicted with kidney disease and only shared the information with her parents, husband, and sister.

August 9, 2018: Parents Granted American Citizenship

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

2018: Challenges as First Lady

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

2018: Melania Plans White House Christmas Decorations

In 2018, Melania Trump personally involved herself in the decorations and planning within the White House. One of her most ambitious projects was planning the White House Christmas decorations. She filled the East Collonnade with red cranberry-laden trees set atop a green carpet. The design was widely derided, which Melania ascribed to personal taste.

April 2020: Staff Reorganization

In April 2020, Melania Trump reorganized her staff, appointing Marcia Lee Kelly as her senior advisor and Emma Doyle as her policy advisor, and becoming an active campaigner for her husband.

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" 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, which contrasted with her earlier efforts to protect her privacy.

2020: Endorsement of Election Fraud Claims

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

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: Departure from the White House

In 2021, after leaving the White House, Melania Trump largely stayed out of the public view.

July 2024: More Visible in July 2024

In July 2024, Melania became more visible after the attempted assassination of her husband and appeared at the 2024 Republican National Convention, though she declined to speak. She also announced her intention to publish a memoir, titled 'Melania'.

November 5, 2024: Donald Trump wins election

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

2024: Michael Cohen's Testimony in The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump Trial

In 2024, during The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump trial, Donald Trump's former personal counsel, Michael Cohen, testified that Donald Trump had privately credited Melania Trump as having suggested that the campaign's response strategy should best characterize the conversation on the Access Hollywood tape as "locker room talk".

January 20, 2025: Second Tenure as 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.