Melania Trump, the nation’s 45th first lady, returned to the White House as its 47th.

Born Melanija Knavs in what was then Yugoslavia, she changed the spelling of her last name to Knauss during a modeling career that began when she was 16 and saw her appear in magazines such as GQ, Vanity Fair and Sports Illustrated. She married then-real estate developer and TV Donald Trump in 2005.

Frequently absent from the White House for extended periods of time during her husband's return to office, Trump has often skipped the kinds of symbolic moments traditionally attended by her predecessors. When she has chosen to wield influence, it has often been focused on issues related to children’s health and safety.

Trump was born in Yugoslavia as Melanija Knavs. She’s seen here, second from right, attending a fashion review of Jutranjka, the textile company where her mother used to work, in Radenci, Slovenia, in 1977. She changed her name to Melania Knauss in her teens.
Trump was born in Yugoslavia as Melanija Knavs. She’s seen here, second from right, attending a fashion review of Jutranjka, the textile company where her mother used to work, in Radenci, Slovenia, in 1977. She changed her name to Melania Knauss in her teens.
Nena Bedek/AFP/Getty Images
Knauss and Donald Trump attend a premiere of "Star Wars: Episode I - the Phantom Menace" in New York, in May 1999.
Knauss and Donald Trump attend a premiere of "Star Wars: Episode I - the Phantom Menace" in New York, in May 1999.
Sonia Moskowitz/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Knauss during a preview of the 37th Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in New York, in February 2000.
Knauss during a preview of the 37th Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in New York, in February 2000.
Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images
Knauss and Trump raise their glasses for a New Year's toast at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2004.
Knauss and Trump raise their glasses for a New Year's toast at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2004.
Davidoff Studios Photography/Getty Images
Melania Trump waves as she leaves the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, after her wedding to Donald Trump in January 2005.
Melania Trump waves as she leaves the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, after her wedding to Donald Trump in January 2005.
Marc Serota/Getty Images
Donald Trump accidentally steps on Melania Trump's dress as they arrive at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, in May 2005.
Donald Trump accidentally steps on Melania Trump's dress as they arrive at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, in May 2005.
Jeff Zelevansky/Reuters
Trump and her son Baron attend a ceremony honoring Donald Trump with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2006.
Trump and her son Baron attend a ceremony honoring Donald Trump with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2006.
Vince Bucci/Getty Images
Melania Trump and Donald Trump attend the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for golfer Jack Nicklaus in the rotunda of the US Capitol in March 2015.
Melania Trump and Donald Trump attend the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for golfer Jack Nicklaus in the rotunda of the US Capitol in March 2015.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Melania Trump joins Donald Trump and other members of the Trump family, as Donald announces he will run for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, at Trump Tower in New York, in June 2015.
Melania Trump joins Donald Trump and other members of the Trump family, as Donald announces he will run for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, at Trump Tower in New York, in June 2015.
Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Trump is embraced by her husband at the end of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
Trump is embraced by her husband at the end of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Melania Trump and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump casts their ballots at PS 59 in Manhattan, on election day in November 2016.
Melania Trump and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump casts their ballots at PS 59 in Manhattan, on election day in November 2016.
Susan Watts/NY Daily News/Getty Images
The Trumps are greeted by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, upon arriving at the White House for Donald Trump's presidential inauguration in January 2017.
The Trumps are greeted by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, upon arriving at the White House for Donald Trump's presidential inauguration in January 2017.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Trump visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City in May 2017.
Trump visits the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City in May 2017.
Heidi Levine/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Trump arrives at the San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican in May 2017, ahead of her husband's private audience with Pope Francis.
Trump arrives at the San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican in May 2017, ahead of her husband's private audience with Pope Francis.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
The Trumps join French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron for a tour Napoleon Bonaparte's Tomb at Les Invalides in Paris, in July 2017.
The Trumps join French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron for a tour Napoleon Bonaparte's Tomb at Les Invalides in Paris, in July 2017.
Carolyn Kaster/Pool/AP
Trump donates her inaugural gown, designed by Herve Pierre, to the First Ladies' Collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, during a ceremony in October 2017.
Trump donates her inaugural gown, designed by Herve Pierre, to the First Ladies' Collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, during a ceremony in October 2017.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
The Trumps wear protective glasses as they view the solar eclipse at the White House in August 2017.
The Trumps wear protective glasses as they view the solar eclipse at the White House in August 2017.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Trump hands out treats during a Halloween event at the South Lawn of the White House in October 2017.
Trump hands out treats during a Halloween event at the South Lawn of the White House in October 2017.
Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/Sipa/AP
The Trumps tour the Forbidden City in Beijing, in November 2017.
The Trumps tour the Forbidden City in Beijing, in November 2017.
Doug Mills/The New York Times/Redux
Trump arrives during a "Be Best" initiative event in the Rose Garden of the White House in May 2018. The first lady's platform focused on children's well-being, fighting opioid abuse and positivity on social media. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2018%2F05%2F07%2Fpolitics%2Fmelania-trump-unveils-platform-be-best">The final issue proved controversial</a>, given her husband's frequent use of social media to bully and demean his opponents. “As we all know, social media can both positively and negatively affect our children. But too often, it is used in negative ways,” said Trump during her Rose Garden speech. “When children learn positive online behaviors early on, social media can be used in productive ways and can affect positive change.”
Trump arrives during a "Be Best" initiative event in the Rose Garden of the White House in May 2018. The first lady's platform focused on children's well-being, fighting opioid abuse and positivity on social media. The final issue proved controversial, given her husband's frequent use of social media to bully and demean his opponents. “As we all know, social media can both positively and negatively affect our children. But too often, it is used in negative ways,” said Trump during her Rose Garden speech. “When children learn positive online behaviors early on, social media can be used in productive ways and can affect positive change.”
Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Trump wears a jacket emblazoned with the words "I really don't care, do you?" as she departs Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland in June 2018, following a surprise visit with child migrants on the US-Mexico border. The first lady’s team <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2018%2F06%2F21%2Fpolitics%2Fmelania-trump-jacket">insisted that there was no hidden meaning behind the sartorial choice</a>. In contrast, President Donald Trump tweeted out that the jacket was a message to members of the media — an explanation a Republican close to the White House called “revisionist history" that was concocted after the jacket itself became a story.
Trump wears a jacket emblazoned with the words "I really don't care, do you?" as she departs Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland in June 2018, following a surprise visit with child migrants on the US-Mexico border. The first lady’s team insisted that there was no hidden meaning behind the sartorial choice. In contrast, President Donald Trump tweeted out that the jacket was a message to members of the media — an explanation a Republican close to the White House called “revisionist history" that was concocted after the jacket itself became a story.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Trump stands in front of the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt, in October 2018.
Trump stands in front of the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt, in October 2018.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Trump arrives to board a plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, in March 2019.
Trump arrives to board a plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, in March 2019.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Trump waves to guests during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, in April 2019.
Trump waves to guests during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, in April 2019.
Andrew Harnik/AP
Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wife Akie Abe visit a digital art museum in Tokyo, in May 2019.
Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wife Akie Abe visit a digital art museum in Tokyo, in May 2019.
Koji Sasahara/AP
Trump greets supporters during a rally in Orlando, Florida, in June 2019, as her husband officially launched his 2020 reelection campaign.
Trump greets supporters during a rally in Orlando, Florida, in June 2019, as her husband officially launched his 2020 reelection campaign.
Eva Marie Uzcategui/Anadolu/Getty Images
Trump <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fvideos%2Fpolitics%2F2019%2F08%2F27%2Fdonald-trump-g7-summit-moos-pkg-vpx.cnn">exchanges air kisses with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau</a> during the G7 summit family photo in Biarritz, France, in August 2019.
Trump exchanges air kisses with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the G7 summit family photo in Biarritz, France, in August 2019.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Trump shakes hands with a student during her visit at Sarvodaya Co-Ed Senior Secondary School in New Delhi, in February 2020.
Trump shakes hands with a student during her visit at Sarvodaya Co-Ed Senior Secondary School in New Delhi, in February 2020.
Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images
Trump arrives for the fourth day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July 2024, during her husband's third presidential campaign.
Trump arrives for the fourth day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July 2024, during her husband's third presidential campaign.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Melania Trump watches as President Donald Trump delivers remarks during his inauguration as the 47th president, inside the US Capitol in January 2025.
Melania Trump watches as President Donald Trump delivers remarks during his inauguration as the 47th president, inside the US Capitol in January 2025.
Doug Mills/The New York Times/Redux
President Donald Trump arrives to dance with Melania Trump at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, following President Trump's inauguration in January 2025.
President Donald Trump arrives to dance with Melania Trump at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, following President Trump's inauguration in January 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Trump adds July 4th decorations to the Bunny Mellon Healing Garden at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, as she visits with children in July 2025.
Trump adds July 4th decorations to the Bunny Mellon Healing Garden at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC, as she visits with children in July 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Queen Camilla, King Charles III, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend a state banquet at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, on the first day of the president's second state visit to the UK, in September 2025.
Queen Camilla, King Charles III, President Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend a state banquet at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, on the first day of the president's second state visit to the UK, in September 2025.
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Trump helps make Red Cross holiday care packages during an event at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, in December 2025.
Trump helps make Red Cross holiday care packages during an event at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, in December 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images