Melania Trump holds the distinction of being Donald Trump’s third wife, having embarked on a successful career as a Slovenian American model before assuming the role of First Lady. Before Melania, Donald Trump married Czech model Ivana Zelníčková and actress Marla Maples. His first marriage to Ivana took place in 1977 at the Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan.
During their union, they welcomed three children into the world: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. Ivana became a naturalized United States citizen in 1988, showcasing her commitment to her new home. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in 1992 following Donald Trump’s well-publicized affair with actress Marla Maples. Together, Donald and Marla had a daughter named Tiffany. The media extensively covered both of these high-profile divorces, further highlighting the complexities of Donald Trump’s personal life.
Meddling Media
The media was all over the wedding and made sure to be there every step of the way, starting with the bride’s $200,000 dress by John Galliano of the house of Christian Dior. The dress was designed with around 300 feet of Duchesse satin and beautifully embroidered. It took a reported 550 hours to complete.
The wedding dress featured over 1,500 hand-stitched crystal rhinestones and pearls, a 13-foot train, and a 16-foot veil. Melania paired the dress with even more extravagance; three diamond bracelets and a diamond necklace. Melania was later featured in "Vogue" with a 14-page spread of her $100,000 Christian Dior strapless gown.
Becoming a Citizen
Melania became a U.S. citizen in 2006, one year after being married to Donald. She received U.S. citizenship on a visa that is allocated to immigrants with “extraordinary ability” and “sustained national and international acclaim.”
She stated, “I followed the law. I never thought of staying here without papers. I had a visa, I traveled every few months back to the country to Slovenia to stamp the visa. I came back, applied for a green card, and applied for citizenship after many years of green card. So I went by the system, I went by the law. And you should do that, you should not just say let me stay here, and whatever happens, happens.”
Baby Mama
In March 2006, Melania Trump and Donald Trump joyously welcomed their first child together, a son named Barron William Trump. The couple bestowed upon him a name that held significance for both of them. Donald had the honor of selecting his first name, which carries a strong and distinguished presence.
Melania, on the other hand, had the privilege of choosing his second name, William, infusing a touch of her personal preference into their son's identity. This collaboration and mutual decision-making demonstrated their commitment to nurturing their growing family and creating a meaningful legacy for their beloved son, Barron.
Doing It All on Her Own
Despite leading a lavish and privileged lifestyle, Melania Trump has always chosen to take on the responsibility of caring for her child without the assistance of a nanny. In a 2016 interview with Harper's Bazaar, she proudly emphasized her hands-on approach to parenting. Melania firmly believed in the significance of spending quality time with her child and acknowledged that those precious hours of bonding and nurturing were invaluable.
While she had a chef and an assistant to support her, Melania personally took on the role of caring for her child. This choice reflected her deep commitment to being actively involved in her son's upbringing and exemplified her belief in the fundamental importance of parental presence and engagement.