Before she became the world-famous First Lady, Melania Trump led a life far removed from the political spotlight — one that included a handful of quiet, carefully guarded relationships.
Born Melanija Knavs in the Slovenian town of Sevnica, her path from local upbringing to modelling in New York was marked by determination and secrecy.
The Manhattan Meeting That Changed Everything
Melania first met Donald Trump in 1998 at a Fashion Week party in Manhattan, hosted by modelling agent Paolo Zampolli. Though she was aware of his reputation, she wasn’t impressed at first and insisted he give her his number, not the other way around.
At that moment, her modeling career was gaining momentum — Paris, Milan, New York — but she maintained a quiet personal life and avoided the typical nightlife scene.
“She never dated anyone in New York before Donald. She only went to movies by herself and to the gym.” Her friend Zampolli said.
From Private Past to Public Spotlight
By January 2005, Melania and Donald were married in a grand ceremony at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. The transition from the private modelling world to life as part of one of America’s most high-profile couples was dramatic.
But before Donald, who were the men that caught Melania’s eye?
A Modest Start in Slovenia
As a teenager, Melania moved to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, for design school. There she met a young man named Peter Butoln, who later claimed he was her first love:
“It was my first love. My first real love,” he said.
Their time together ended when Peter left for military service, and though she reportedly sent him a postcard in 1987 to say hello, Melania’s representatives later said he was never an official boyfriend.
A Slovenian Motorbike Moment
Another man linked to Melania’s early years is Jure Zorcic, who says he spotted her walking down a street in 1991 while riding his motorbike:
“I had a moment and thought, ‘Wow, who is this girl? She is so beautiful …’” he recounted.
They shared a brief relationship and holidayed with friends along the Croatian coast.
Years later, she left Slovenia to model in Milan and Paris.
“It was a bit of shock when I met her,” he told ABC.
“She is very special, that’s the truth.”
In 2000, they unexpectedly bumped into each other in New York, and Melania greeted her former flame in English.
“I asked her: Did you forget that you are Slovenian?” he recalled.
She told him she was living between New York and Florida and that “she would never go back to Slovenia.”
Of her eventual marriage to Donald, Zorcic mused: “I think her marriage to Trump was fate. Nobody believed 20 years ago that she would live at the top of the world, on Fifth Avenue in Trump Tower – even her!”
From Slovenian Roots to Fifth Avenue Royalty
When Melania met Donald Trump in 1998, her life transformed overnight — from the quiet rhythm of modeling to the blinding lights of global fame.
Trump was already a household name, but Melania stayed composed amid the sudden attention their relationship attracted. In her early interviews, she spoke openly and proudly about him — not just as a partner, but as someone destined for leadership.
“He would be a great president,” she told ABC News in 1999. “He’s very smart. He knows business. He would be a great leader.”
At the time, Trump’s political ambitions were little more than speculation, yet Melania was already convinced he had what it took. She was determined to prove she was far more than just “a pretty face by his side.”
What do you think of Melania Trump’s journey — from small-town Slovenia to the world’s most famous address? Share your thoughts below! 👇
