Melania Trump’s Journey from Sevnica to the White House

Former First Lady Melania Trump, born Melania Knavs, hails from the industrial town of Sevnica in communist Slovenia, then part of Yugoslavia. Her father, Viktor Knavs, was a car dealer, and her mother, Amalija, worked in a textile factory. Author Sandi Gorisek notes that Viktor joined the Communist Party “to increase their social capital.”

“Sevnica was too small for her,” recalled Mirjana Jelancic, a childhood friend. “Even as a child, she dreamed of moving.” According to the Daily Mail, Jelancic said that throughout their elementary school years, Melania was deeply interested in fashion and even considered becoming a designer. “[Melania] would make new clothes out of old ones,” Jelancic revealed.

Melania later moved to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, for higher studies, where she was discovered by fashion photographer Stane Jerko. “I still remember how tall she was and how beautiful her figure and hair were,” Jerko recalled. “There was no smile on her face because she was shy and scared, but I encouraged her to come to the studio.” At sixteen, she began her modeling career, working in Milan, Paris, and other fashion capitals, and becoming proficient in German, French, Italian, English, Slovenian, and Serbo-Croatian.

In 1996, Melania moved to New York and changed her name to Melania Knauss. Two years later, she attended a party in Manhattan where she met business tycoon Donald Trump, who had recently separated from his wife. Donald, who was 24 years older than Melania, asked for her phone number. According to the Daily Mail, although Donald flew his private jet to Slovenia to pick up the Knavs family and visit Lake Bled, Melania never took him to her hometown.

As reported by The Mirror, Melania forged close bonds with Donald’s mother, Mary Trump, and sister, Elizabeth Trump Grau. On January 22, 2005, Donald and Melania married at the Bethesda-by-the-Sea church in Palm Beach, Florida. She strongly supported Donald during his presidential campaign and was frequently seen at events and rallies.

In January 2021, as reported by People, Melania gave an emotional farewell speech from the White House amid her husband’s tumultuous presidency. “I have been inspired by incredible Americans across our country who lift our communities through their kindness, courage, goodness, and grace,” she said. “The past four years have been unforgettable. As Donald and I conclude our time in the White House, I think of all the people I have taken home in my heart and their incredible stories of love, patriotism, and determination.”

Reflecting on her time as First Lady, she continued, “When I think about these meaningful experiences, I’m humbled to have had the opportunity to represent a nation with such kind and generous people. It has been an honor to represent the American people abroad. As I say farewell to my role as First Lady, it is my sincere hope that every American will do their part to teach our children what it means to be best.” She concluded, “No words can express the depth of my gratitude for the privilege of having served as your First Lady.”