Melania Trump Then and Now: Check Out the First Lady’s Amazing Photos From Her Past

Melania Trump Then and Now: Check Out the First Lady’s Amazing Photos From Her Past
(Getty Images)
5/25/2019
Updated:
5/25/2019

America’s First Lady Melania Trump loves the camera, and the camera loves her. It has always been this way. Melania was destined to become famous since the first time she strutted the runway as a child at her mother’s textile company, and a series of recently unearthed family photos prove that the stunning Slovene has always been camera-ready.

Melania built a successful career as a fashion model in Milan and Paris before moving to New York City in 1996 to advance her career. There, she met Donald Trump, and we know what happened next! Melania became the celebrated wife of the billionaire business mogul-cum-President of the United States, and today she is the nation’s first lady. Publications from around the world are fascinated by details of Melania’s world, her role as a mother, a political sidekick, and a perennially poised public figure.

But where did it all begin?

Melania has to navigate a public persona these days, and photos of the beautiful first lady abound. Photos and anecdotes from her childhood are buried much deeper, however. But thanks to the magic of the internet (and Melania’s mischievous sister!), some rather amazing and very adorable photos of the first lady’s early years have surfaced, and we can’t get enough of them.

Melania (2nd R) attending a fashion review at Jutranjka, the textile company where her mother used to work, in 1977 (©Getty Images | <a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/this-picture-provided-by-courtesy-of-nena-bedek-and-taken-news-photo/523424314?adppopup=true">STR</a>)
Melania (2nd R) attending a fashion review at Jutranjka, the textile company where her mother used to work, in 1977 (©Getty Images | STR)
In one throwback snap, baby Melania stands startled above a birthday cake with a single candle, ready to blow out the flame. Another aged, sepia image captioned “Monday memories” shows the whole family relaxing on the bed together, sharing a moment of fun. Melania’s mother, father, and older sister Ines are pictured, and the family resemblance is striking. Since these photos were shared online, a social media frenzy has built up around the first lady’s humble beginnings and rich, loving family life.
Speaking to MSNBC in 2016, Melania lovingly described her mother as “really special, with a lot of elegance and style. She was in the fashion industry for a long time,” she explained. Perhaps Melania inherited her own elegant demeanor from her mother? Melania’s father was a salesman, who later ascended to the management ranks before opening his own business in Slovenia.
Melania Knauss attends HBO'S "Sex and The City" season premiere after-party in New York City in the summer of 2003 (©Getty Images | <a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/model-melania-knauss-attends-hbos-sex-and-the-city-season-news-photo/2095209?adppopup=true">Evan Agostini</a>)
Melania Knauss attends HBO'S "Sex and The City" season premiere after-party in New York City in the summer of 2003 (©Getty Images | Evan Agostini)
Melania’s older sister Ines Knauss, who lives near to her sister in Manhattan, is an artist who has recently shared a number of adorable photos from the family archives on social media. Ines often refers to her younger sister as “M,” and among the amazing photos she shared are a few from Melania’s successful modeling past. With thick, windswept hair, piercing blue eyes, and timeless style, Melania looks incredible, but sometimes barely recognizable! As the first lady, Melania often sports a smart, fashionable two-piece skirt suit and wears her hair a lighter color these days.
Melania meets with Prince Harry for the first time ahead of the Invictus Games on Sept. 23, 2017 (©Getty Images | <a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/first-lady-melania-trump-smiles-as-she-meets-with-prince-news-photo/852394778">Chris Jackson</a>)
Melania meets with Prince Harry for the first time ahead of the Invictus Games on Sept. 23, 2017 (©Getty Images | Chris Jackson)

Melania is nearing 50, but her age-defying style makes this very hard to believe. See for yourself how much the first lady has changed! One thing remains indisputable, however: Melania has always looked great in front of the camera.