The Early Years of Melania Trump and How They Influenced the Woman She Became

Building a Modeling Career — One Careful Step at a Time

Melania completed her studies at the Secondary School of Design and Photography in Ljubljana, where she continued to develop her artistic talents.

Once she graduated, she pursued modeling more seriously, first in Slovenia, then in Milan and Paris — two of the world’s fashion capitals.

She took on the professional name Melania Knauss, a more international version of her birth name. Unlike many young models of the era, she was disciplined, responsible, and extremely focused.

She didn’t party, didn’t chase fame, and didn’t rely on controversy. She relied on work ethic.

Those who worked with her remember:

• She was punctual.
• She followed instructions precisely.
• She treated everyone respectfully.
• She was dedicated to long hours and demanding shoots.

These qualities helped her build a reputation for reliability — an essential trait in the competitive modeling industry.

A Leap of Faith: Moving to New York

In the mid-1990s, Melania took another major risk: she moved alone to New York City, one of the toughest fashion markets in the world.

She arrived with limited English and very little financial security. But what she lacked in resources, she made up for in resilience.

She signed with major agencies, appeared in European and American magazines, worked with world-renowned photographers, and gradually created a name for herself in fashion circles.

Her look — refined, serene, almost sculpted — stood out in an industry that loved loud personalities.

A Chance Meeting That Changed Her Life

In 1998, Melania attended a fashion party in Manhattan during New York Fashion Week. That night, she met Donald Trump.

Unlike many others, Melania didn’t pursue him or fall immediately into conversation. Her quiet confidence intrigued him.

She didn’t give out her phone number easily, and her sense of mystery made her stand out. Their relationship grew steadily, built on mutual admiration and respect.

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