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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Melania Trump

Melania Trump is a Slovenian-born former fashion model who has served as First Lady of the United States during Donald Trump’s presidencies.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Melania Trump is a Slovenian-born former fashion model who served as First Lady of the United States during the presidencies of Donald Trump. Born Melanija Knavs in 1970, she married Donald Trump in 2005 and is the mother of their son, Barron. She is known for the BE BEST campaign and for being the second foreign-born and first naturalized U.S. citizen to serve as First Lady.

Early life and career

Melania Trump was born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, then part of Yugoslavia. She worked as a fashion model before entering public life in the United States.

Marriage and family

She married Donald Trump on January 22, 2005. The couple has one child, Barron Trump, and she is also stepmother to Donald Trump’s four other children from previous marriages.

First Lady of the United States

As First Lady, Melania Trump launched the BE BEST campaign in 2018, focusing on children’s well-being, social media use, and opioid abuse. She also supported White House historic restoration projects during her tenure.

Public role and later life

Melania Trump released her memoir, MELANIA, in 2024. She returned to the White House as First Lady in January 2025 after Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election.

Key facts

  • Melania Trump was born on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia (then Yugoslavia).
  • She married Donald Trump in 2005 and has one son, Barron Trump.
  • As First Lady, she launched the BE BEST campaign in 2018, focused on children’s well-being, social media use, and opioid abuse.
  • She is the second foreign-born First Lady and the only one to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
  • She returned to the White House as First Lady after Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory.
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Canadian context

Melania Trump is relevant to Canadian readers because she has been a prominent figure in U.S. politics as First Lady during multiple Trump administrations, which has had cross-border media and diplomatic visibility in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Melania Trump?
Melania Trump was born on April 26, 1970, so she is 56 years old as of 2026.
Where was Melania Trump born?
She was born in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, which was then part of Yugoslavia.
What is Melania Trump's net worth?
Reliable current net-worth figures vary widely and are not established by the cited sources here, so no verified value is provided.
How many children does Melania Trump have?
She has one child, Barron Trump.
What did Melania Trump do as First Lady?
She launched BE BEST in 2018, a campaign focused on children’s well-being, social media use, and opioid abuse, and supported White House restoration efforts.
Is Melania Trump still married to Donald Trump?
Yes. The cited sources describe Donald Trump as her husband and list the marriage as continuing from 2005 to the present.

References

  1. White House Historical Association — https://www.whitehousehistory.org/bios/melania-trump
    Supports: Birthplace, marriage, child, First Lady role, BE BEST, return to White House, memoir
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Melania-Trump
    Supports: Date of birth, birthplace, identity as Slovenian-American former fashion model, First Lady service
  3. The White House — https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/melania-trump/
    Supports: Birthplace, marriage, child, naturalized citizen status, First Lady identity
  4. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/us/melania-trump-fast-facts
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, marriage status, child