For many years, people have been fascinated by the marriage between Melania and Donald Trump. Examine the couple’s love journey from their 1998 first meeting to Melania’s tenure as First Lady and their subsequent return to Mar-a-Lago.
At a New York Fashion Week gathering in September 1998, Donald and Melania Trump first crossed paths. Melania mentioned in her memoir that she got a call from a friend who wanted to invite her to the Kit Kat Klub.
“On a Friday night in September 1998, as I settled into the comfort of my New York City apartment after a whirlwind trip to Paris, my phone rang. It was a friend of mine,” the former model recalled.
“My boyfriend is throwing a party at the Kit Kat Klub tomorrow night. Please come. We haven’t seen each other in so long,” Melania’s friend said. “I just got back from Paris,” she replied.
Melania first turned down the invitation since she preferred quiet evenings to going out to clubs, but she later had second thoughts.
“While I was tired and jet-lagged, I loved the idea that my weekend was about to be filled with the company of friends. […] After all, it was Fashion Week—a time of glamour and sophistication. I was actually looking forward to mingling with industry insiders and trendsetters,” she wrote.
The enthusiasm of the crowd and the brilliant lights produced a memorable scene when the model came. Melania and her companions made themselves at home in the VIP area, taking in the elegant and bustling setting.
Soon after, though, she saw a man coming toward her table. “Hi, I’m Donald Trump,” he said. Although she didn’t know anything about him, she knew his name.
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The two started talking when the model gave a courteous response. She was drawn to Donald’s charisma and self-assurance. He was there with a date, but Melania was still the center of his attention.
“He asked me about my time in New York, my Slovenian home, and my world travels. It was a moment of connection, a brief encounter that left a lasting impression. It was nice to make a new acquaintance,” she shared in her memoir.
As the night went on, he asked for her phone number. She declined and instead suggested, “Give me your number,” seemingly taking him by surprise. “I’ll give you my number,” he replied, “if you promise to call me.”
The pair later met for lunch, and Melania recalled learning of Donald’s children and former marriages, “I refrained from passing any judgment, choosing instead to enjoy his company,” she shared.
“I really liked that about him. After returning home, I was giddy with joy. It’s truly a rare feeling to instantly connect with someone on such a deep level,” she added.
“I was immediately at ease in Donald’s company, as if our souls had known each other for a long time. Our chemistry was undeniable, and our connection felt natural,” the former model continued.
Their relationship deepened in the following months. At 28, Melania found herself drawn to Donald’s larger-than-life personality. “As someone who had traveled the globe and encountered many types of people, I found Donald to be different, a breath of fresh air,” she wrote.
She added, “His work ethic and success were admirable. He projected a sense of authenticity. He had a zest for life that was infectious. He was successful and hardworking, but also so down to earth and real. I really liked that about him.”
Despite their age difference of 24 years, they developed a natural connection. She reflected on his private side, “As I got to know him better, I realized the public only saw a part of Donald Trump. In private, he revealed himself as a gentleman, displaying tenderness and thoughtfulness.”
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However, there were early problems in their relationship. Donald and Melania briefly parted ways in January 2000 when Donald sought the Reform Party nomination. They were reunited in February after a brief period of separation.
By 2004, Melania had moved into Trump Tower and was living with Donald, helping him out around the house and cooking for him. Even though she was seeing a well-known man, the future First Lady still desired seclusion.
“I made a conscious effort to maintain a sense of privacy in our relationship. The press followed him around constantly. I wasn’t one for seeking attention, so I tried to keep our time together as low-key as possible,” she shared.
He made the already spectacular event even more memorable that year by popping the question at the Met Gala. Less than a year later, on January 22, 2005, Melania wore an opulent Dior gown to their lavish wedding at Donald’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
In the end, the couple also chose to spend their honeymoon at the house. Barron Trump, their son, was born in 2006.
Melania recalled the moment she shared the pregnancy news, “He came home (one day last August), and I told him he’d be a daddy. And his reaction was… at first, he needed to take it in. It was a real surprise. And then he was very happy.”
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Donald interjected, “I expected we were going to have children, so I wasn’t totally surprised. But I was surprised by the speed of it. It happened very quickly.”
Melania assumed the role of First Lady of the United States by 2016. On January 20, 2017, her husband was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States after defeating Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.
She assumed her position as First Lady with poise and dignity. She supported her husband’s political aspirations while putting Barron’s upbringing first. She was under public scrutiny during his presidency, yet she never wavered in her commitment to her duties and family.
The pair went back to Mar-a-Lago after Donald lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden. Melania led a quiet, family-focused life while Donald concentrated on his political goals.
Melania got ready for a second term as First Lady after Donald defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Her newfound confidence was praised by her close advisors, who included interior designer Tham Kannalikham, stylist Hervé Pierre, and photographer Regine Mahaux.
“She’s always been hands-on, but she’s more free nowadays to make a statement,” Regine shared. “She’s a different person than she was eight years ago and has always been true to herself. This time, it feels like a different energy with new people that the President has surrounded himself with,” they added.
Those closest to Melania Trump characterized her as poised and committed to her duty as she began her second term as First Lady. Additionally, the couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in January 2025, indicating that her marriage was stronger than ever.
“There is something in her — the strong woman — but at the same time, there is the soft power; she’s really good at balancing her husband,” said Regine.
Reflecting on the couple’s enduring bond, Regine continued, “Sometimes I wonder how she could have the courage to keep on going; they’ve gone through so much. She’s committed. She loves him and he loves her.”
The bond between Melania and Donald Trump has persisted despite their considerable age difference. Their marriage has been cemented by their everlasting dedication to one another, their kid, and their common goals, demonstrating that love and loyalty endure the test of time and scrutiny.
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