The mysterious life of Melania Trump, a former supermodel who is the subject of fashion scandals and bizarre conspiracy theories
Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP
- Melania Trump broke from first lady tradition in many ways.
- As a former lingerie model and an immigrant, she's very different from most modern first ladies.
- While Trump has the support of many loyal fans, her time as first lady was filled with controversy.
Melania Trump was a first lady unlike any other.
She was the only first lady in almost 200 years to be born outside the US, and the only first lady whose native language isn't English. Trump was also the first first lady to be a former lingerie model.
Her actions as the first lady of the US similarly broke from tradition, winning over loyal fans and sparking questions from conspiracy theorists. Trump also became known for her fashion choices, with fans applauding her designer outfits and critics slamming her expensive tastes.
On Friday, April 26, she is celebrating her 54th birthday.
Here's what we know about the mysterious former first lady — and the conspiracies and controversies that dogged her during Donald Trump's presidency and beyond.
AP Photo/Darko Bandic
The other first lady born outside the US was Louisa Catherine Johnson, the wife of John Quincy Adams. She was born in England, though her father was an American merchant.
AP Photo/Darko Bandic
While modeling in Europe, Trump reportedly learned to speak six languages, making her the most linguistically gifted first lady in American history, CNN reported.
At a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives in 2023, she recalled navigating a "labyrinth" of paperwork to become a US citizen.
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Inside Edition reported that she consumes seven pieces of fruit a day.
Peter Morgan/Reuters
She refused to give Donald Trump her number at first, but later asked for his and ended up calling him a few days later.
Gary I Rothstein/Reuters
Guests included Matt Lauer, Katie Couric, Kelly Ripa, Barbara Walters, Rudy Giuliani, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Trump's wedding dress was a satin Christian Dior gown that featured 1,500 crystal rhinestones and pearls.
Chris Pizzello/Reuters
While the Trumps have staff to help with cooking and housework, Trump told People magazine in 2018 that she's a "hands-on" mom who didn't hire a traditional nanny. Page Six reported that the Trumps did, in fact, have a live-in nanny.
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Her first major political scandal took place when she appeared to copy parts of her 2016 Republican National Convention speech from a speech Michelle Obama had given at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
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Melania Trump and Barron, however, did not immediately move to the White House, staying in New York City until the end of Barron's school year. It was a pricey decision, with security costing roughly $27 million.
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During a trip to Israel in May 2017 — Donald Trump's first trip abroad since taking office — much was made of the body language between the pair when Trump appeared to swat her husband's hand away.
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Critics slammed her for wearing an outfit that cost more than most Americans earn in a year.
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She still wore a $1,380 Balmain shirt to pick vegetables in the White House vegetable garden started by Michelle Obama.
She is not the only first lady to select designer outfits, however.
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Many were struck by how much her father, Viktor Knavs, looked like Donald Trump.
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Trump changed into the more sensible footwear — Timberland work boots — on the plane.
Donald Trump defended his wife from critics, saying that she had dressed up "out of respect for the White House" and added that she "wants to look good leaving the front entrance."
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Trump's spokeswoman called Ivana's comments "attention-seeking and self-serving noise."
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The conspiracy theory was based on little evidence other than one bad photo of Trump and the fact that she had a Secret Service agent who looked strikingly similar to her in some photos.
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Her initiatives included speeches to address bullying and solo trips to speak with those affected by the opioid crisis.
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The first lady spent the five-day, four-country tour in Africa exploring programs dedicated to childhood well-being.
The trip was also significant considering it came after Donald Trump had spoken about the continent in vulgar and inaccurate terms.
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Along the way, she became the most popular Trump in the White House. A February 2019 Fox News poll had the first lady earning a 47% approval rating after two years in the White House, compared to the president's 43%.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
The book detailed little-known details about Trump's fashion, strategy, and life inside the White House, including the fact that she reportedly lived on a separate floor of the residence from her husband.
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Trump also made occasional appearances throughout the coronavirus pandemic, either in front of socially distanced reporters or through video messages.
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The New York Times reported in July 2023 that Trump had repeatedly refused her husband's offers to join him at campaign events, though she continued to support him behind the scenes.
Donald Trump told "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker in September that Trump is a "private person" and that he likes to keep her away from campaigning because "it's so nasty and so mean."
Trump appeared to distance herself from Donald Trump's subsequent 2024 reelection campaign until April 2024, when she spoke at a Log Cabin Republicans event.