1. Melania Trump is the first naturalized citizen to become first lady, the second foreign-born first lady after Louisa Adams, the second Roman Catholic first lady after Jacqueline Kennedy, and the second first lady to serve two non-consecutive terms after Frances Cleveland.
Melania Trump changed the spelling of her name to Melania Knauss, and she traveled to Paris and Milan to seek modeling work before meeting Paolo Zampolli, who hired her and sponsored her immigration to the United States in 1996.
Melania Trump continued working as a model in Manhattan, where Zampolli introduced her to the real estate developer Donald Trump in 1998.
Melania Trump worked to get her more modeling jobs, and she supported him during his 2000 presidential campaign.
Melania and Donald Trump married in 2005, and they had a son, Barron Trump, the following year.
Melania Trump dedicated most of her time to Barron during his infancy, spending less time working or accompanying her husband at events.
Melania Trump started her own jewelry brand, Melania, in 2009.
Melania Trump received major press coverage during the campaign when erotic photos from her modeling years were uncovered and published, and again when a speech she gave at the 2016 Republican National Convention was found to be plagiarized from a similar speech by Michelle Obama.
Melania Trump stayed in Manhattan for the first months of her tenure as first lady, allowing Barron to finish school and Melania Trump to renegotiate her prenuptial agreement.
Melania Trump kept to minimal activity after moving into the White House, often staying in the residence instead of her office in the East Wing, and she held fewer events than previous first ladies.
Melania Trump faced several challenges in 2018, including allegations of extramarital affairs by her husband, surgery for kidney disease, and a tour of Africa that was overshadowed by scrutiny of her wardrobe and personal conduct.
Melania Trump was a close advisor to her husband, influencing his decisions to end the Trump administration's family separation policy and ban fruit-flavored electronic cigarette cartridges.
Melania Trump has an older sister, Ines, and an older half-brother from her father's previous relationship, Denis Cigelnjak, whom she reportedly has never met.
Melania Trump's father denied paternity of Denis, even after it was confirmed by a paternity test.
Melania Trump developed a skill for it by watching her mother work.
Melania Trump was discovered by Slovenian fashion photographer Stane Jerko when she was sixteen, after modeling in a school-sponsored show.
In 1992, Melania Trump was named runner-up in the Jana Magazine Look of the Year contest, which promised its top three contestants an international modeling contract.
Melania Trump signed with RVR Reclame in Milan, but she left the organization a few months later.
Melania Trump spent the following years traveling Europe for modeling jobs, including one in which she portrayed the first female president of the United States in 1993.
Melania Trump modeled for fashion houses in Paris and Milan, where in 1995 she met Metropolitan Models co-owner Paolo Zampolli, who was on a scouting trip in Europe.
Melania Trump's rent was taken from her pay with Zampolli's agency.
Melania Trump lived a healthy lifestyle, managing her diet carefully, and she avoided the drinking and partying that often consumed the lives of the models around her.
Melania Trump did not lead an active social life and only went out on rare occasions.
Melania Trump then received an H-1B visa that allowed her to work.
Melania Trump received her first major job when she posed for a Camel cigarette ad shot by Ellen von Unwerth, which was displayed as a Times Square billboard and ran in Rolling Stone.
When her roommate Atanian left New York, Melania Trump moved to an apartment off of Park Avenue.
Melania Trump passed her test when he gave her multiple personal numbers instead of an office number.
Melania Trump later said that giving her own number would make her "just one of the women he calls".
Melania Trump intentionally gave him an indifferent attitude to his advances, knowing this would pique his interest.
Melania Trump continued to encounter celebrities while attending events with Donald.
Melania Trump continued her modeling career after meeting Donald, though she took fewer jobs as time went on and she dedicated more time to him.
Melania Trump did not let her participate in the business, citing the conflict he had with his first wife after giving her an executive role.
Melania Trump later said that she stood 'proudly behind [her] nude modeling work' in a post on X in September of 2024.
Melania Trump received her green card in 2001, granting her permanent residency in the United States.
Melania Trump made her first appearance on Donald's game show The Apprentice in April 2004 when an episode had the contestants visit their penthouse.
Melania Trump reasoned that he was more willing to wed as she had not insisted on marriage, and he felt she was an influence in the success he had seen over the previous years.
Donald and Melania Trump married on January 22,2005, at the Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach, Florida.
The ceremony was followed by a reception in the ballroom at Donald's Mar-a-Lago estate, which Melania Trump planned with Preston Bailey.
Melania Trump had one bridesmaid, her sister Ines, who had moved to New York so they could be closer together.
Melania Trump arranged all of the details of the wedding with her planner.
Melania Trump let Donald make decisions about the event, but she refused his suggestion that the wedding be broadcast on NBC.
Melania Trump accepted a transaction element in their relationship, though she cared about Donald and did not believe that she was a gold digger.
Melania Trump had especially bonded with Tiffany, who was six when Melania Trump began dating Tiffany's father, and made sure she felt included among her half-siblings.
When Melania Trump herself became pregnant, it was widely covered in the media.
Melania Trump spent the months with her sister and her parents, who visited throughout the pregnancy.
Melania Trump oversaw the construction of a nursery in Trump Tower.
Melania Trump had a baby shower at the FAO Schwarz toy store, but she insisted that the toys and gifts she received be donated to a children's hospital.
Melania Trump chose her son's middle name, while Donald chose his first name.
Melania Trump later said she approved of this, stating that she "didn't want him changing diapers or putting Barron to bed".
Melania Trump avoided the use of nannies, with a few exceptions in Barron's earliest years, insisting on raising him herself.
Melania Trump became a citizen of the United States on July 28,2006.
Melania Trump then sponsored her parents using the "chain migration" immigration process that her husband later repeatedly criticized.
Melania Trump trademarked her name, Melania, in 2009 as a jewelry brand, which she used to sell less expensive jewelry pieces on QVC.
Melania Trump was intentional about not using the Trump name in her branding, correcting reporters who called it Melania Trump.
Melania Trump drew the designs herself, which were based on three places where she had lived: New York, Palm Beach, and Paris.
Melania Trump then developed a line of caviar-infused skincare products under the brand Melania Trump Marks Skincare in 2011.
Melania Trump alleged that one executive had given a sweetheart deal to the Trumps because he was a family friend.
Melania Trump initially sued the company for $50 million in lost revenue.
Melania Trump was the one who finally convinced Donald to campaign for president in the 2016 presidential election, telling him that he either needed to do it or stop talking about it.
Melania Trump subsequently played a relatively small role in the campaign, which had been atypical of spouses of presidential candidates since the early 20th century.
Unlike Donald's advisors, Melania Trump encouraged him to follow his instincts and say what he felt he should say, with the exception that she does not like his use of profane language.
Melania Trump analyzed the campaign closely from home, following polling and watching how her husband interacted with his opponents.
Melania Trump spoke to him on the phone regularly throughout the campaign, including a conversation after each rally in which she gave a candid evaluation of how he did.
Melania Trump's career as a model was an advantage during the campaign, as she was prepared for photographers and did not need to hire a fashion consultant.
Melania Trump resented being called shy during the campaign, saying that this was an impression spread by people who only briefly met her and wanted their "15 minutes of fame".
Melania Trump's earliest speaking appearances in November 2015 and February 2016 were prompted by Donald calling on her to speak to the crowd.
Melania Trump's first scheduled speech during the campaign did not take place until April 2016.
Hope Hicks was the campaign's main liaison with Melania Trump, facilitating any appearances that she wished to make.
Melania Trump trusted Hicks's judgement and allowed her to weigh the importance of a given appearance.
Melania Trump was involved in the vice presidential selection process, meeting with the top contenders, and her approval of Mike Pence contributed to his selection.
The images did not have a major effect on the campaign, as Melania Trump was seen as the victim, but they were humiliating and she spent the following two months away from the public.
On July 18,2016, Melania Trump gave a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention.
Two days later, Trump staff writer Meredith McIver took responsibility, saying there was a misunderstanding when Melania read passages of Obama's speech as examples.
Melania Trump refused to sit beside him during his recorded apology as politicians' spouses often did in these situations.
Melania Trump received significantly more attention from the press following the incident, and she was frustrated by the pity she received.
Melania Trump was the second foreign-born woman to hold the title of first lady after Louisa Adams, who was born in England, and Melania Trump was the first naturalized citizen to hold the title.
Melania Trump has said that she can speak English, Italian, French, and German in addition to her native Slovene, but in public she has only spoken English and Slovene.
Melania Trump was the second Roman Catholic first lady of the United States, after Jacqueline Kennedy.
Melania Trump stoked resentment among many of the people in New York, who predominantly opposed the Trumps, because of the costs and traffic issues caused by the Secret Service presence.
Melania Trump was given the Secret Service code name "Muse" to go along with the president's name "Mogul".
On March 8,2017, Melania Trump hosted her first White House event, a luncheon for International Women's Day.
Melania Trump spoke to an audience of women about her life as a female immigrant and about working towards gender equality both domestically and abroad, noting the role of education as a tool against gender inequality.
The first major public attention Melania received was after an incident in May 2017 while the Trumps were visiting Israel.
Donald had forgotten that Melania Trump was by his side when he was walking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and she fell behind from the group.
Melania Trump retained the head florist appointed by Michelle Obama, Hedieh Ghaffarian.
Melania Trump had a reputation in the White House for being "drama-free", and for treating the staff well.
Melania Trump had a close, trusting relationship with her staff, and she was protective of them when conflict arose.
Melania Trump had most of the Obama-era decor replaced, and like the Obamas, the Trumps paid for it out of pocket instead of using the allotted funding.
Melania Trump oversaw restorations of several rooms in the building, including the bowling alley in the White House basement and the first lady's hairdresser's room.
Melania Trump kept one office, called the "swag room" by aides, in which she kept trinkets she collected while she was first lady.
Melania Trump personally involved herself in decorations and planning within the White House.
Melania Trump was particular about how things were designed and arranged whenever events were planned, but she would take on a calm and relaxed demeanor once the event began.
Whenever a foreign dignitary arrived at the White House, Melania Trump had the Blue Room set aside where she ate lunch or drank tea with the dignitary's spouse.
When choosing which presidential china set to use, Melania Trump often chose the Clinton administration china with its gold embroidery.
Melania Trump held events less frequently than her predecessors, with a typical week featuring three or fewer events, all under one hour long.
The design was widely derided, which Melania Trump ascribed to personal taste.
Melania Trump made her first appearances at the Kennedy Center in 2019.
Melania Trump unveiled the abstract sculpture Floor Frame by Isamu Noguchi in the White House Rose Garden in November 2020.
Melania Trump described it as "embodying themes of resilience and renewal" in her eponymous memoir.
Michael Cohen, who had arranged the silencing of the alleged affair, stated that his greatest regret was lying to Melania Trump, saying that she didn't deserve it.
Melania Trump learned in April 2018 that she was afflicted with kidney disease, but she only told her parents, her husband, and her sister.
Those around Melania Trump noticed that she was generally happier by mid-2018.
In October 2018, Melania Trump took a tour of Africa without Donald, visiting Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt.
Melania Trump spent much of her time with children in schools, orphanages, and hospitals.
Melania Trump used the trip to tout relief work being carried out by the United States Agency for International Development, which raised questions about her husband's intention to cut its funding.
Melania Trump received criticism for her fashion choices, where a photo opportunity in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza was seen as exploitive and a pith helmet she wore in Kenya was criticized for its association with colonialism in Africa.
Melania Trump twice complained to the president, but no immediate action was taken.
Melania Trump felt that in taking such a similar trip, Ivanka was intruding on the first lady's role.
Melania Trump was the one person exempt from the criticism and distrust that Donald leveled against those around him in the White House.
Melania Trump held her opinion in high regard, often agreeing with her when she made it known, and he valued her loyalty as she did not seek public attention of her own.
Melania Trump believed that it was not her duty as first lady to take policy positions in her own right, but simply to advise Donald regarding his.
Melania Trump was the only person among those around him who could critique him directly without repercussion.
Melania Trump paid close attention to media coverage throughout Donald's presidency, providing her input on what would make good optics and maintain his image.
Melania Trump provided advice on how to pose for pictures and has given him suggestions on how to appear when moving.
The nature of their relationship allowed Melania Trump to overlook erratic behavior from Donald, as she had long believed that there was no use in trying to change someone's personality, especially her husband's.
Melania Trump had influence over her husband's staff, and Donald sometimes fired individuals on her advice.
Melania Trump's advocacy was a major factor in her husband's decision to ban fruit-flavored electronic cigarette cartridges.
About one year into her tenure, Melania Trump hired Reagan Thompson as a policy advisor, though she had yet to adopt any official initiatives at the time.
Melania Trump was upset when her stepdaughter Ivanka began receiving the credit for changing the president's mind on the issue.
Melania Trump decided to visit the border herself, ignoring her husband's worries about keeping media attention on the border and the Secret Service's need of advance notice to plan her trip.
On May 7,2018, Melania Trump held a press conference in the White House Rose Garden to announce her official public initiative as first lady, the Be Best awareness campaign.
Melania Trump acknowledged the discrepancy but insisted that she would continue because she felt it was a good cause.
Melania Trump carried out a major reorganization of her staff in April 2020 in anticipation of her husband's reelection campaign.
Melania Trump appointed Marcia Lee Kelly as her senior advisor and Emma Doyle as her policy advisor.
Melania Trump became an active campaigner for her husband during the 2020 presidential election, which was a strong contrast to her 2016 activity.
Melania Trump took the topic more seriously after the COVID-19 lockdowns began, using her Twitter account to encourage social distancing during the pandemic and promote official medical advice.
Melania Trump mentioned her "I really don't care, do u" jacket in the tapes, admitting that she wore it to irritate liberals.
In September 2022, Melania Trump said in an interview with Breitbart News that the audiotapes had been strategically edited to make people believe that her duties in the White House had been unimportant to her.
Melania Trump's focus at this time was on compiling photo albums of the decorations and renovations she had overseen through her tenure.
Melania Trump later said that she would have commented if she had been "fully informed of all the details".
Melania Trump did not contact incoming first lady Jill Biden to make transition arrangements or provide her the traditional tour of the White House.
Melania Trump did follow the tradition of leaving a letter for the incoming first lady.
Melania Trump retained one White House advisor, Marcia Lee Kelly, to help her during the post-presidency.
Melania Trump kept in contact with her successor Jill Biden, and the two have exchanged birthday cards.
In November 2023, Melania Trump attended the memorial service for former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.
Melania Trump remained out of public view during her husband's court appearances and his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election, limiting her campaign events to two fundraisers for the Log Cabin Republicans.
Melania Trump became more visible in July 2024 by putting out a statement following the attempted assassination of her husband and appearing at the 2024 Republican National Convention, though she declined an invitation to speak at the event, making her the first candidate's spouse not to speak at the convention since Barbara Bush began the tradition.
Melania Trump caused controversy among Republicans in the lead up to the book's publication when she announced her support for the right to abortion.
In January 2025, Amazon MGM Studios announced that it had licensed an upcoming documentary film on Melania Trump directed by Brett Ratner for distribution in theatres and on Amazon Prime Video.
Less than two weeks before assuming the role of first lady again, Melania Trump attended the funeral for former President Jimmy Carter.
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 February 2025, Melania Trump announced that public tours of the White House would resume on the 25th day of the month.
On March 3,2025, Melania Trump made her first solo appearance as first lady for the term by attending a roundtable discussion at Capitol Hill on the "Take It Down Act", a bill that could speed the removal of intimate imagery posted online without an individual's consent, or revenge porn.
Melania Trump has been seen by the American public as the first foreigner first lady.
Melania Trump is often seen as cold by the public, though people who interact with her describe her as a warm presence.
Melania Trump did her own clothes shopping, but she was assisted by designer Herve Pierre, hair stylist Mordechai Alvow, and make up artist Nicole Byrl.
Melania Trump was ranked as being the worst of 40 assessed American first ladies, receiving the lowest assessments in all of the metrics that were weighed.