Melania Trump, a Slovenian-American former model, held the position of first lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021 during her husband Donald Trump's presidency. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the first naturalized U.S. citizen to assume the role of first lady. Her only predecessor as a foreign-born first lady was Louisa Adams.
April 26, 1970: Birth of Melania Trump
Melania Trump was born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, in Slovenia.
1982: First Siena College First Ladies Study
The Siena College Research Institute conducted its inaugural study evaluating the performance and impact of American first ladies in 1982.
1985: Early Influences on Melania Knavs' Life
In 1985, a teenage Melania Knavs was influenced by the United States through the presidency of Ronald Reagan and the launch of CNN International.
1988: Beginning of Spouse Approval Rating Tracking
Polling to gauge public opinion on the spouses of presidential candidates began in 1988.
1992: Melania Knauss' Early Modeling Success
In 1992, Melania Knauss, using the name Melania Knauss, was named runner-up in the Jana Magazine "Look of the Year" contest, leading to her signing with RVR Reclame in Milan.
1993: Melania Knauss' Modeling Career and Notable Photoshoot
In 1993, Melania Knauss' modeling career led her to portray the first female president of the United States in a photoshoot.
1995: Melania Knauss Meets Paolo Zampolli
Melania Knauss met Paolo Zampolli, the co-owner of Metropolitan Models, in Milan in 1995, marking a significant turning point in her life and career.
1996: Melania Knauss Moves to Manhattan for Modeling
In 1996, at the age of 26, Melania Knauss moved to Manhattan to pursue modeling opportunities, guided by Paolo Zampolli.
1996: Melania Knauss Immigrates to the United States
Sponsored by Paolo Zampolli, Melania Knauss immigrated to the United States in 1996 to further her modeling career.
1997: Melania Knauss' Explicit Photoshoot for Max Magazine
Melania Knauss participated in a sexually explicit photoshoot for the French men's magazine Max in 1997. These photos resurfaced in 2016, garnering significant attention.
September 1998: First Encounter: Melania Knauss and Donald Trump
Melania Knauss and Donald Trump had their first encounter in September 1998 at a party. Knauss' refusal to give Trump her phone number and insistence on receiving his instead left a lasting impression.
1998: Melania Knauss Meets Donald Trump
In 1998, a pivotal encounter took place between Melania Knauss and Donald Trump in Manhattan, introduced by Zampolli.
February 1999: Melania Knauss Joins Trump Model Management
In February 1999, Melania Knauss became one of the initial models to join Donald Trump's newly established modeling agency, Trump Model Management. In the ensuing months, she was featured in numerous magazines and advertisements orchestrated by individuals connected to Trump.
October 7, 1999: Donald Trump Announces Reform Party Candidacy
On October 7, 1999, Donald Trump declared his candidacy for the Reform Party presidential nomination. Melania Knauss, his girlfriend at the time, expressed strong support for his decision. When questioned by The New York Times about her potential role as First Lady, Knauss stated she envisioned herself adopting a traditional approach similar to Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy.
1999: Public Attention and Continued Modeling Career for Melania Knauss
Melania Knauss and Donald Trump's relationship gained public attention in 1999, particularly after an interview on Howard Stern's show. Knauss continued her modeling career, albeit at a reduced pace, as she dedicated more time to Trump.
January 2000: Melania Knauss and Donald Trump Break Up
News of Melania Knauss and Donald Trump's separation became public in January 2000. The reason for their breakup remained unclear, with conflicting accounts regarding who initiated the split.
2000: Melania Knauss Supports Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign
Melania Knauss showed her support for Donald Trump during his 2000 presidential campaign.
2001: Melania Knauss Receives Green Card
Melania Knauss was granted permanent residency in the United States in 2001 after receiving her green card.
2002: Melania Knauss and Donald Trump Move in Together
Melania Knauss and Donald Trump began living together in Trump Tower in 2002.
April 2004: Melania Knauss Appears on "The Apprentice"
In April 2004, Melania Knauss made her inaugural appearance on Donald Trump's reality TV show, "The Apprentice". The episode featured contestants visiting the couple's penthouse.
April 26, 2004: Donald Trump Proposes to Melania Knauss
On April 26, 2004, Melania Knauss's birthday, Donald Trump proposed marriage to her as they prepared to attend the Met Gala.
January 22, 2005: Donald Trump and Melania Knauss Marry
On January 22, 2005, Donald Trump and Melania Knauss exchanged vows at the Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach, Florida. The ceremony was succeeded by a reception held in the ballroom at Donald's Mar-a-Lago estate, meticulously planned by Melania with the assistance of event planner Preston Bailey.
2005: Marriage of Melania Knauss and Donald Trump
Melania Knauss and Donald Trump were married in 2005.
2005: Recording of the Access Hollywood Tape
The Access Hollywood tape, featuring controversial remarks by Donald Trump about women, was recorded in 2005, shortly after his marriage to Melania Trump.
March 20, 2006: Barron William Trump is Born
Barron William Trump, the son of Donald and Melania Trump, was born on March 20, 2006. Melania selected her son's middle name, while Donald chose his first name, which he had previously used as a pseudonym when impersonating his own public relations representative.
July 2006: Alleged Extramarital Affair
In July 2006, while married to Melania and after the birth of their son, Donald Trump allegedly had an extramarital affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
July 28, 2006: Melania Trump Becomes a US Citizen
Melania Trump attained United States citizenship on July 28, 2006.
2008: Michelle Obama's Democratic National Convention Speech
Michelle Obama delivered a speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, portions of which were later plagiarized in Melania Trump's 2016 Republican National Convention speech.
2009: Melania Trump Launches Jewelry Brand
In 2009, Melania Trump trademarked her name, "Melania," to establish a jewelry brand. She utilized this brand to market more affordable jewelry pieces on the home shopping channel QVC.
2009: Launch of Melania Trump's Jewelry Brand
Melania Trump launched her own jewelry brand, "Melania," in 2009.
2011: Melania Trump Launches Skincare Line
Melania Trump introduced "Melania Marks Skincare," a line of caviar-infused skincare products, in 2011. However, the brand never officially launched and became embroiled in a legal dispute when the manufacturing company, New Sunshine, experienced management changes and nullified the contract.
November 2015: Melania Trump's Earliest Speaking Appearances
In November 2015, Melania Trump made her earliest speaking appearances at her husband's campaign events, prompted by Donald Trump asking her to address the crowd.
February 2016: Melania Trump's Speaking Appearances Continue
Melania Trump continued to make brief speaking appearances at her husband's campaign events in February 2016, encouraged by Donald Trump.
April 2016: Melania Trump's First Scheduled Campaign Speech
Melania Trump delivered her first scheduled speech during Donald Trump's presidential campaign in April 2016, marking a more significant step in her public role.
July 2016: Publication of Melania Trump's Nude Photos
In July 2016, scandalous nude images of Melania Trump from her modeling career were published in the New York Post, causing controversy and leading her to withdraw from the public eye for two months.
July 18, 2016: Melania Trump's Plagiarized Speech at the Republican National Convention
On July 18, 2016, Melania Trump delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention that included a paragraph plagiarized from Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic National Convention speech, sparking controversy and leading to a staff member taking responsibility.
2016: Resurfacing of Melania Knauss' 1997 Photoshoot
The explicit photos from Melania Knauss' 1997 photoshoot for Max magazine resurfaced in 2016, causing controversy.
2016: Donald Trump Runs for President
Melania Trump played a pivotal role in persuading Donald Trump to run for president in the 2016 election. She believed it was time for him to either commit to a campaign or cease discussing it. As the campaign commenced, Melania made it clear to her husband that she would not be pressured into campaigning or attending events against her will and would only participate in appearances she deemed appropriate.
2016: Melania Trump Sues Daily Mail for Libel
Melania Trump filed a libel lawsuit against the Daily Mail in 2016 over allegations that she had worked as an escort, initially seeking damages for lost career opportunities but later changing the claim to emotional distress.
2016: Contrast in Campaign Involvement
In contrast to her limited involvement in the 2016 presidential election, Melania Trump actively campaigned for her husband during the 2020 election.
2016: Unprecedented Negative Approval Rating
During the 2016 presidential election, Melania Trump made history as the first candidate's spouse since 1988 to have a negative approval rating.
2016: Melania Trump's Role in the 2016 Presidential Election
Melania Trump played a limited but impactful role in Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Her past modeling photos and a speech at the Republican National Convention drew significant media scrutiny.
January 2017: Beginning of Tenure as First Lady
Melania Trump's approval rating as she became first lady in January 2017 was relatively low, ranging from 36% to 37%.
January 20, 2017: Inauguration of Donald Trump and Melania's Decision to Stay in New York
After Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2017, Melania Trump announced her decision to remain in New York City with their son Barron so he could finish the school year.
March 8, 2017: Melania Trump Hosts International Women's Day Luncheon
Melania Trump hosted her first White House event, a luncheon for International Women's Day, on March 8, 2017, where she spoke about gender equality.
May 2017: Trump's Visit to Vatican City
During a visit to Vatican City in May 2017, Melania Trump had her rosary beads blessed by Pope Francis and paid respects at a statue of the Madonna.
May 2017: Incident with Donald Trump in Israel
In May 2017, while visiting Israel with Donald Trump, Melania Trump was left behind by her husband and slapped his hand away when he reached for hers, drawing media attention to her independent streak.
June 11, 2017: Melania and Barron Trump Move into the White House
On June 11, 2017, Melania Trump and her son Barron moved into the White House, where she continued to maintain separate sleeping arrangements from Donald Trump.
2017: Melania Trump Becomes First Lady of the United States
Melania Trump assumed the role of First Lady of the United States in 2017 when her husband, Donald Trump, was inaugurated as President.
2017: Melania Trump Earns Royalties from Image Licensing
Melania Trump earned royalties between $100,000 and $1,000,000 in 2017 by licensing photos from her modeling career through Getty Images, controlling their use and generating income.
January 2018: Allegations Against Donald Trump and Impact on Melania
In January 2018, allegations of Donald Trump's extramarital affair with Stormy Daniels surfaced, said to have occurred in July 2006. This led to a decrease in Melania's public appearances and her cancellation of joint events with her husband, including the 2018 State of the Union Address. The scandal also brought to light Michael Cohen's involvement in silencing the alleged affair and his regret for lying to Melania. Another alleged affair with Karen McDougal in 2006 added to the public humiliation Melania experienced.
April 2018: Melania Trump's Kidney Disease Diagnosis
In April 2018, Melania Trump was diagnosed with kidney disease, a health matter she only disclosed to her immediate family.
April 2018: Increase in Approval Rating
In April 2018, Melania Trump's approval rating saw a significant increase, reaching 57% according to a CNN poll. This surge in popularity was attributed to public sympathy following allegations of her husband's infidelity.
May 7, 2018: Launch of the Be Best Campaign
On May 7, 2018, Melania Trump launched her initiative as first lady, the "Be Best" campaign, in the White House Rose Garden. The campaign aimed to address child well-being, cyberbullying, and opioid abuse. The initiative's name drew criticism for its grammar.
August 9, 2018: Melania Trump's Parents Granted Citizenship
On August 9, 2018, Melania Trump's parents were granted American citizenship. This sparked accusations of hypocrisy against the Trumps due to Donald's stance against chain migration, the process that allowed them entry.
October 2018: Melania Trump's Solo Africa Tour
In October 2018, Melania Trump embarked on a solo tour of Africa, visiting Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt. During her trip, she focused on children's welfare, visiting schools, orphanages, and hospitals. She promoted the U.S. Agency for International Development's relief work, which contradicted her husband's proposed funding cuts.
2018: Challenges and Advocacy During Melania Trump's Time as First Lady
The year 2018 marked a time of both personal challenges and advocacy for Melania Trump. She faced allegations about her husband's infidelity, underwent surgery for a kidney condition, and participated in a controversial tour of Africa. Despite these challenges, she focused on children's issues through her "Be Best" campaign and advocated against family separation policies.
2018: Melania Trump's Criticism of Family Separation Policy
In 2018, Melania Trump publicly criticized her husband's "zero tolerance" policy at the U.S.-Mexico border, which led to family separations. She expressed disapproval and advocated for immigration reform. Privately, she strongly opposed the policy and influenced her husband's decision to end it.
2018: Melania Trump's White House Christmas Decorations
In 2018, Melania Trump's unconventional Christmas decorations at the White House, featuring red cranberry-laden trees, drew criticism and were attributed to her personal taste.
October 2019: Justice Department Files Lawsuit Against Stephanie Winston Wolkoff
In October 2019, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, alleging a breach of a nondisclosure agreement. The lawsuit, later dropped in February 2021, was seen as a response to Wolkoff's tell-all book about Melania Trump.
2019: First Appearances at Kennedy Center
In 2019, Melania Trump made her first appearances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she served as the honorary chair. Her attendance was delayed due to her husband's presidency alienating many in the media and art communities.
2019: Criticism and Hypocrisy Surrounding "Be Best"
In 2019, Melania Trump's "Be Best" campaign faced heightened criticism for hypocrisy, as her husband continued to engage in online attacks. The campaign's focus on cyberbullying clashed with Donald Trump's criticism of Greta Thunberg, a teenage activist with autism, drawing further scrutiny.
April 2020: Melania Trump's Staff Reorganization
In April 2020, Melania Trump restructured her staff in preparation for her husband's re-election campaign. Key appointments included Marcia Lee Kelly as senior advisor and Emma Doyle as policy advisor. The reorganization also saw the removal of chief of staff Lindsay Reynolds.
October 1, 2020: Release of Audiotapes and "Melania and Me"
On October 1, 2020, audio recordings of Melania Trump, released by her former advisor Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, revealed her controversial statements about her role as first lady. The tapes, featured in Wolkoff's tell-all book "Melania and Me," captured her frustration and criticism towards the media, public expectations, and her White House duties.
December 2020: Historical Ranking of First Ladies
In December 2020, the Siena College Research Institute released its fifth study ranking American first ladies, the first to include Melania Trump. She received the lowest scores across all metrics, placing her last among the 40 first ladies evaluated.
2020: End of Tenure as First Lady
In 2020, despite Donald Trump's election loss, Melania endorsed his claims of victory. She became increasingly withdrawn, focusing on documenting White House renovations and remaining silent during the January 6th Capitol attack.
2020: Melania Trump's Involvement in the 2020 Election Controversy
In the final months of her tenure as First Lady in 2020, Melania Trump supported her husband's unfounded claims of election fraud, adding to the controversy surrounding the election.
2020: Leaked Tapes Reveal Melania Trump's Stance on Family Separation
In 2020, leaked audio recordings revealed Melania Trump's statements regarding the family separation policy. While expressing sadness about the situation, she questioned the legitimacy of asylum claims and dismissed concerns about children's living conditions, sparking controversy.
2020: Public Perception and Speculation
By 2020, Melania's public image shifted as she took a more active role. Despite this, she remained an enigma, with speculation about her feelings towards her husband fueled by her reserved demeanor and alleged marital issues.
February 2021: Lawsuit Against Wolkoff Dropped
In February 2021, under the Biden administration, the Justice Department dropped the lawsuit against Stephanie Winston Wolkoff.
2021: End of Tenure and Historical Ranking
Melania Trump concluded her time as first lady in 2021 with an approval rating of 42%, marking her as the least popular first lady since the inception of such polling.
2021: End of Melania Trump's Tenure as First Lady
Melania Trump's time as First Lady concluded in 2021 when Donald Trump's presidency ended.
September 2022: Melania Trump's Response to Audiotapes
In September 2022, Melania Trump addressed the controversial audiotapes released in 2020. In an interview with Breitbart News, she claimed the recordings were edited to misrepresent her perspective and downplay the importance of her White House responsibilities.
2024: Michael Cohen's Testimony in Donald Trump Trial
In 2024, Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former personal counsel, testified that Melania Trump suggested characterizing the Access Hollywood tape conversation as "locker room talk."