Melania Trump’s best friend is not a celebrity from the world of entertainment. She is neither a singer nor an actress, but someone who has been close to her for her entire life. That person is her older sister, Ines Knauss.
Ines has always lived a quiet life away from the spotlight. Born in Slovenia, like Melania, she shared the same childhood, upbringing, and family values. The sisters have been described as inseparable since their youth, and that bond carried through as Melania pursued modeling and eventually became First Lady of the United States. Unlike public figures who surround themselves with many acquaintances, Melania has kept her circle very small, and Ines has been one of the few she relies on completely.
Reports describe Ines as Melania’s confidante and most trusted adviser. She has been known to give her input on fashion choices, personal matters, and even parenting advice when it comes to raising Barron Trump. In fact, Melania once noted that her sister has always been a grounding presence in her life, someone who knows her better than anyone else. During Melania’s wedding to Donald Trump, Ines served as her maid of honor, a role reserved for the most significant person in a bride’s life.
Unlike others who have crossed into Melania’s inner circle, Ines has avoided interviews, fame, or business ventures tied to her sister’s prominence. She has a passion for art, spending much of her time painting and sketching. She is also married and has children of her own, choosing a private family life rather than public attention. This makes her stand out in contrast to people like Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who was once called Melania’s close friend but later had a very public falling out. Ines, by contrast, has never betrayed that bond.
The description of Melania’s best friend as someone you “know well” makes sense when tied to Ines. While she does not perform on stage or appear in movies, the public knows of her because of her connection to Melania. Many photographs of the Trump family show her quietly present, often in the background, always by her sister’s side when needed.
Ines represents a very different kind of best friend—one built on lifelong loyalty rather than convenience or publicity. In the world of politics, fashion, and global attention, Melania has often been portrayed as a private and reserved woman. Ines is the rare person she can trust without fear of betrayal or scandal. That is why so many reports identify her, rather than a famous name, as Melania Trump’s true best friend.