Her dreams were always bigger than the small town she came from. A chance encounter catapulted her from quiet streets to the glimmering runways of the fashion world. Years later, she traded camera flashes for a global spotlight in a role unlike any she’d imagined. Today, Melania Trump’s early modeling photos are resurfacing—and reigniting curiosity about her transformation over the years. Shared widely online, these images invite comparisons between her past and present, adding another layer to the story of a woman who journeyed far from her humble beginnings into the heart of international attention.
Melania Trump, the future First Lady of the United States, was born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto—then part of Yugoslavia. She grew up in Sevnica, a modest industrial town nestled along the Sava River, where factory chimneys pierced the skyline and gray Communist-era apartment blocks lined the streets.
Her childhood unfolded in one of those stark buildings, just steps away from the brightly painted primary school she attended. Her father, Viktor Knavs, carved out a living as a car dealer, having once worked as a chauffeur for a local mayor and later for the director of a state-run textile factory—roles that hinted at quiet ambition behind a life shaped by the rhythms of socialist-era Slovenia.
Melania’s mother, Amalija, also worked in the textile industry, designing patterns for a children’s clothing manufacturer. Her father, Viktor, was listed in public records as a member of the Communist Party, though a campaign spokesperson would later claim he was never actively involved.
Those who knew Melania in her early years remember her as reserved and respectful—a studious girl who stood out for her composure. Mirjana Jelancic, a childhood friend who later became headmistress of their school, recalled her as “an excellent student—very organized, disciplined, and always polite.”
Jelancic also remembered that Melania rarely raised her voice and never used inappropriate language—a quiet poise that set her apart even as a child. From an early age, Melania displayed a keen eye for fashion. She frequently reimagined old garments into stylish new pieces, hinting at a creative spark and an early dream of one day becoming a designer.
“Sevnica was too small for her,” Jelancic once said. Even as a teenager, Melania spoke often of a world beyond the narrow confines of her hometown. Her fascination with fashion wasn’t just a pastime—it was a glimpse of something larger, a vehicle for escape and self-expression. That passion would soon carve the path she had long imagined.
The turning point came when she was just 16. In January 1987, while waiting for a friend at Ljubljana’s Festival Hall, Melania caught the eye of Slovenian photographer Stane Jerko. Stepping outside at the end of a fashion show, Jerko noticed her standing quietly on the stairs—tall, poised, and striking. It was a chance encounter, but one that would change the course of her life.
Struck by her striking features and quiet elegance, Jerko approached Melania and suggested they schedule a photo session. For their first shoot, she arrived at the studio with her own outfits—nervous but willing. Though initially shy, she followed Jerko’s direction with focus and grace.
Impressed by her potential, Jerko invited her back for a second shoot, this time modeling clothing from a local textile factory. With each session, Melania grew more confident and curious, not just about posing but about the process itself. She paid close attention to lighting, composition, and the rhythm of the shoot—early signs of a professional mindset.
Those first sessions marked the quiet beginning of her modeling career. After finishing high school, Melania set her sights beyond Slovenia, signing work in Milan and Paris as she entered the European fashion scene.
Melania took on assignments across Europe’s fashion capitals, steadily building a portfolio and forging connections within the industry. Along the way, she became fluent in multiple languages—including English, German, French, and Italian—adding to her versatility as an international model.
For her professional career, she adopted the name Melania Knauss and worked consistently throughout the 1990s, appearing in print campaigns, runway shows, and magazine spreads. By 1996, she set her sights on a bigger stage: New York City. The move marked a pivotal shift—not just geographically, but in ambition. In America’s fashion capital, Melania hoped to solidify her presence and reach new heights in the modeling world.
Her move to New York would do more than advance her modeling career—it would set the stage for the introduction that would thrust her into the global spotlight. In 1998, at a Manhattan party hosted by modeling agency owner Paolo Zampolli, Melania met Donald Trump. Trump, who arrived that evening with Norwegian cosmetics heiress Celina Midelfart, was immediately intrigued by the reserved and elegant model across the room. He approached her and asked for her phone number.
Melania, unimpressed by his flashy entrance and current company, declined—but gave him her number instead. That initial exchange sparked a relationship that would unfold in the glare of public attention, ultimately reshaping the course of her life.
Melania declined his request, pointing out that he had arrived with someone else. Her quiet confidence only intrigued Trump further. Despite the initial rebuff, the two soon began dating, drawing attention as a high-profile couple in New York’s social circles.
Their relationship faced a brief pause in 2000, when Trump explored a presidential run under the Reform Party banner. During that uncertain period, they separated—but not for long. The couple eventually reconciled, and their bond grew stronger, setting the stage for a future that neither could have fully anticipated.
In July 2002, Melania returned to Slovenia with Trump for a private visit. Touching down at Ljubljana’s Brnik Airport aboard Trump’s private jet, the couple was joined by Melania’s parents and Trump’s assistant as they made their way to the Grand Hotel Toplice overlooking the serene Lake Bled. The hotel’s restaurant was reserved exclusively for their intimate dinner.
Throughout the evening, Melania served as interpreter, bridging language and culture with effortless grace. They departed Slovenia well before midnight, the visit a quiet yet meaningful moment in their evolving relationship.
Two years later, in 2004, Trump proposed to Melania on the glamorous night of the Costume Institute Gala. Their wedding followed in January 2005, held in Palm Beach, Florida, a lavish celebration of their union. The next year, their son Barron was born, marking a new chapter in their lives together.
During her pregnancy, Melania was famously photographed for Vogue, striking a striking pose in a gold bikini on the steps of Trump’s private jet—a glamorous moment that captured the public’s imagination. As she stepped out of the fashion spotlight and into her role alongside her husband, Melania’s life became more entwined with the political stage, drawing intense media attention.
More than a decade later, as Trump launched his 2016 presidential campaign, curiosity about Melania’s Slovenian roots surged. Back in her hometown of Sevnica, reactions were mixed—while some residents beamed with pride at the prospect of a Slovenian-born First Lady, others viewed the spotlight with cautious skepticism.
However, not everyone in Sevnica shared the excitement. Many younger residents were either unfamiliar with Melania or indifferent to the news. Ilija Nikic summed up this sentiment plainly: “What does it mean to me if she is First Lady? Who cares?”
Yet those who knew her from earlier days saw her in a different light. Photographer Stane Jerko insisted, “She’s not just Donald Trump’s wife. Melania has something special. I know she’s very clever and skilled.”
Childhood friends echoed that respect for her discipline and determination. Mirjana Jelancic admitted she was initially surprised by Melania’s choice to marry someone much older, but she recognized the similarity in work ethic between Trump and Melania’s father—a quality that, in her eyes, made the pairing make sense.
