10 Little-Known Facts About One of the Most Elegant First Ladies, Melania Trump
Melania Trump, the former First Lady of the United States and wife of Donald Trump, remains one of the most mysterious and elegant figures to ever grace the White House. With her reserved demeanor, sharp fashion sense, and multilingual background, she captured global attention during her time in Washington—but there’s much more to her than meets the eye. Here are 10 little-known facts about Melania Trump that reveal a deeper, more fascinating picture of this stylish and enigmatic woman.
1. She’s Fluent in Five Languages
Melania speaks Slovenian (her native language), English, French, Serbian, and German. This made her one of the most multilingual First Ladies in U.S. history—an often-overlooked detail of her unique background.
2. She Wasn’t Always “Melania”
Born Melanija Knavs in Sevnica, a small town in Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia), she later Germanized her name to Melania Knauss when she began modeling internationally.
3. She Started Modeling at Age 5
Melania’s modeling career started earlier than most realize. She began doing small fashion campaigns as a child, thanks to her mother’s job in the fashion industry. By age 16, she was working with professional photographers in Milan and Paris.
4. She Holds a Degree in Design and Architecture
Melania studied at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, where she focused on design and architecture. Though she didn’t complete her degree due to her growing modeling career, her appreciation for aesthetics is evident in everything from her fashion choices to her influence on White House decor.
5. She’s the Second First Lady Born Outside the U.S.
Melania is only the second First Lady in U.S. history born outside the country. The first was Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams, who was born in London in 1775.
6. She Became a U.S. Citizen in 2006
Melania first came to the United States in the 1990s on a work visa. After years of legal immigration, she became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2006—the same year she gave birth to her son, Barron.
7. She’s the Only First Lady to Have Posed Nude
Before her marriage to Donald Trump, Melania posed for several high-fashion shoots, including a now-famous nude photo spread for GQ in 2000. This made her the only First Lady to have posed nude, sparking both admiration and controversy.
8. She’s a Devoted Mother
Melania is known for being very protective of her son, Barron Trump. Unlike other presidential children, Barron was largely kept out of the public eye, thanks in part to Melania’s fierce desire to give him a normal upbringing.
9. She Delayed Her Move to the White House
After Donald Trump took office in January 2017, Melania chose to stay in New York for several months so Barron could finish the school year. This decision sparked both criticism and praise.
10. She Designed Her Own Jewelry Line
Before becoming First Lady, Melania launched the “Melania™ Timepieces & Jewelry” collection on QVC in 2010, showcasing her interest in design and entrepreneurship.
From a small-town girl in Slovenia to the world stage, Melania Trump’s life is full of unexpected twists and remarkable details—many of which remain hidden beneath her famously composed exterior.
