Melania and Donald Trump’s marriage has been a subject of fascination for decades. From their first encounter in 1998 to Melania’s role as First Lady and their return to Mar-a-Lago, take a look at the couple’s love story.
Donald and Melania Trump first met in September 1998 at a Fashion Week party in New York. In her memoir, Melania recalled receiving a call from a friend inviting her to the Kit Kat Klub.
Donald and Melania Trump with Victoria Silvstedt at Playboy magazine’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2003. | Source: Getty Images
“On a Friday night in September 1998, as I settled into the comfort of my New York City apartment after a whirlwind trip to Paris, my phone rang. It was a friend of mine,” the former model recalled.
“My boyfriend is throwing a party at the Kit Kat Klub tomorrow night. Please come. We haven’t seen each other in so long,” Melania’s friend said. “I just got back from Paris,” she replied.
Melania initially dismissed the invitation, preferring quiet nights over clubbing, but ultimately changed her mind.
“While I was tired and jet-lagged, I loved the idea that my weekend was about to be filled with the company of friends. […] After all, it was Fashion Week—a time of glamour and sophistication. I was actually looking forward to mingling with industry insiders and trendsetters,” she wrote.
Melania and Donald Trump photographed at a party with Jaime Bergman in 1998. | Source: Getty Images
When the model arrived, the crowd’s energy and the dazzling lights created an unforgettable atmosphere. Inside the VIP section, Melania settled in with her friends, enjoying the sophisticated and lively environment.
However, it wasn’t long before she noticed a man approaching her table. “Hi, I’m Donald Trump,” he introduced himself. She recognized his name but knew little about him.
The model responded politely, and the two struck up a conversation. Donald’s confidence and charm intrigued her. Though he was there with a date, his attention remained focused on Melania.
As the night went on, he asked for her phone number. She declined and instead suggested, “Give me your number,” seemingly taking him by surprise. “I’ll give you my number,” he replied, “if you promise to call me.”
The pair later met for lunch, and Melania recalled learning of Donald’s children and former marriages, “I refrained from passing any judgment, choosing instead to enjoy his company,” she shared.
“I really liked that about him. After returning home, I was giddy with joy. It’s truly a rare feeling to instantly connect with someone on such a deep level,” she added.
“I was immediately at ease in Donald’s company, as if our souls had known each other for a long time. Our chemistry was undeniable, and our connection felt natural,” the former model continued.
Donald and Melania Trump at the VH1 Divas Live concert on April 13, 1999, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Their relationship deepened in the following months. At 28, Melania found herself drawn to Donald’s larger-than-life personality. “As someone who had traveled the globe and encountered many types of people, I found Donald to be different, a breath of fresh air,” she wrote.
She added, “His work ethic and success were admirable. He projected a sense of authenticity. He had a zest for life that was infectious. He was successful and hardworking, but also so down to earth and real. I really liked that about him.” Despite their age difference of 24 years, they developed a natural connection. She reflected on his private side, “As I got to know him better, I realized the public only saw a part of Donald Trump. In private, he revealed himself as a gentleman, displaying tenderness and thoughtfulness.”
However, their relationship faced early challenges. In January 2000, as Donald pursued a bid for the Reform Party nomination, he and Melania briefly split. Their separation was short-lived, and by February, they had reconciled.
Donald and Melania Trump with his daughter Tiffany at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on April 2, 2000. | Source: Getty Images
By 2004, Melania had moved into Trump Tower, embracing life with Donald — cooking for him and supporting him in his daily life. However, the future First Lady still wanted a sense of privacy despite dating such a well-known man.
“I made a conscious effort to maintain a sense of privacy in our relationship. The press followed him around constantly. I wasn’t one for seeking attention, so I tried to keep our time together as low-key as possible,” she shared. That same year, he proposed at the Met Gala, making the already glamorous event even more unforgettable. Less than a year later, on January 22, 2005, they married in a lavish ceremony at Donald’s Mar-a-Lago estate, with Melania wearing an extravagant Dior gown. The couple ultimately decided to honeymoon at the residence as well. Then in 2006, they welcomed their son, Barron Trump.
Melania recalled the moment she shared the pregnancy news, “He came home (one day last August), and I told him he’d be a daddy. And his reaction was… at first, he needed to take it in. It was a real surprise. And then he was very happy.” Donald interjected, “I expected we were going to have children, so I wasn’t totally surprised. But I was surprised by the speed of it. It happened very quickly.”
By 2016, Melania became the First Lady of America. Her husband won against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017.