Melania Trump’s family background: parents, sister, and marriage to Donald — details
6 march 2025 в 08:13
The First Lady of the United States, Melania Knauss Trump, has attracted public attention not only for her role in the White House during both of Donald Trump’s presidential terms, but also for her career as a former model. Although much is known about her time in the public eye, her family background has sparked significant curiosity.
Learn more about Melania’s background, her family, and her relationship with Donald below.
Melania, originally named Melania Knauss, was born on April 26, 1970 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. She is the first First Lady of the United States who is a naturalized citizen.
Melania’s parents are Viktor and Amalija Knauss. Her father is currently 80 years old, and her mother passed away in January 2024 at the age of 78 after battling an unknown illness.
Melania, who has an older sister Ines born in 1968, and a step-brother Denis Cigelnjak from her father’s previous marriage (whom, according to GQ, he does not acknowledge), has spoken highly of her parents and her childhood, including during the 2016 Republican National Convention.
«I was born in Slovenia, a small, beautiful, and then communist country in Central Europe. My sister Ines, an incredible woman and friend, and I were raised by my wonderful parents. My elegant and hardworking mother Amalija introduced me to fashion and beauty. My father Viktor instilled in me a passion for business and travel».
Viktor worked as a driver, as reported by The New York Times, before becoming a traveling car salesman for a state-owned car company. Later, he opened his own bicycle and auto parts store in Ljubljana, as noted by GQ. Amalija worked as a designer at the state textile factory «Jutranjka» from 1964 until her retirement in 1997, according to The New Yorker.
Melania, 54, married Donald, 78, on January 22, 2005, meaning they have been married for 20 years.
Their journey began in 1998, when former modeling agent Paolo Zampolli organized a fashion week party in New York City, attended by both Melania, then known as Melania Knauss, and Donald. They soon began dating, and in 2004, Donald proposed to Melania at the Met Gala. The following year, they were married in a ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida, and celebrated their wedding at Donald’s Mar-a-Lago estate
Learn more about Melania’s background, her family, and her relationship with Donald below.
Melania, originally named Melania Knauss, was born on April 26, 1970 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. She is the first First Lady of the United States who is a naturalized citizen.
Melania’s parents are Viktor and Amalija Knauss. Her father is currently 80 years old, and her mother passed away in January 2024 at the age of 78 after battling an unknown illness.
Melania, who has an older sister Ines born in 1968, and a step-brother Denis Cigelnjak from her father’s previous marriage (whom, according to GQ, he does not acknowledge), has spoken highly of her parents and her childhood, including during the 2016 Republican National Convention.
«I was born in Slovenia, a small, beautiful, and then communist country in Central Europe. My sister Ines, an incredible woman and friend, and I were raised by my wonderful parents. My elegant and hardworking mother Amalija introduced me to fashion and beauty. My father Viktor instilled in me a passion for business and travel».
Viktor worked as a driver, as reported by The New York Times, before becoming a traveling car salesman for a state-owned car company. Later, he opened his own bicycle and auto parts store in Ljubljana, as noted by GQ. Amalija worked as a designer at the state textile factory «Jutranjka» from 1964 until her retirement in 1997, according to The New Yorker.
Melania, 54, married Donald, 78, on January 22, 2005, meaning they have been married for 20 years.
Their journey began in 1998, when former modeling agent Paolo Zampolli organized a fashion week party in New York City, attended by both Melania, then known as Melania Knauss, and Donald. They soon began dating, and in 2004, Donald proposed to Melania at the Met Gala. The following year, they were married in a ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida, and celebrated their wedding at Donald’s Mar-a-Lago estate
© Puhova Marina
