Donald and Melania Trump: A Love Story in the Spotlight

Donald Trump, the New York real estate mogul and television personality, met Melania Knauss, a Slovenian model, in 1998 at a Fashion Week party in Manhattan. The event was hosted at the Kit Kat Club (now the Stephen Sondheim Theatre), and despite Trump attending with a date, he was immediately drawn to Melania. When he asked for her number, she declined to give it—requesting his instead. Her confident move reportedly impressed Trump, setting the tone for a relationship built on mutual ambition and charisma.

Over the next several years, Donald and Melania’s relationship evolved under the glare of public attention. They briefly split in the early 2000s but reunited with greater commitment. Melania, who had been building her modeling career in New York, often stood out for her reserved grace—striking a contrast to Trump’s famously bold persona.

The Proposal

In April 2004, after nearly six years of dating, Donald proposed to Melania with a 12-carat Graff diamond engagement ring, reportedly worth $1.5 million at the time. The moment was classic Trump—lavish, grand, and covered by the tabloids. But behind the headlines, it also marked a private milestone for the couple who had navigated fame and scrutiny together.

The Wedding: A Palm Beach Affair

Donald and Melania married on January 22, 2005, at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida. The wedding was an opulent affair attended by celebrities, politicians, and high society figures. The bride wore a custom Christian Dior gown designed by John Galliano—an ivory satin masterpiece that featured 300 feet of material, a 13-foot train, and hand-embroidered crystal detailing.

Following the ceremony, the reception took place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, where guests dined on caviar, lobster, and a five-foot-tall Grand Marnier wedding cake weighing 200 pounds.

Some notable guests included Hillary and Bill Clinton, Barbara Walters, Simon Cowell, Katie Couric, and Heidi Klum. The blend of political elites, media figures, and fashion icons highlighted the couple’s unique place in American celebrity culture.

A Lasting Partnership

Since their wedding, Melania and Donald have remained in the public eye, especially during Donald’s presidency from 2017 to 2021, where Melania served as First Lady of the United States. Their relationship has often sparked public speculation, but Melania has described it as grounded in mutual respect and independence. “We are both very independent,” she said in an interview. “We give each other space to do what we want to do.”

Despite the attention, the Trumps have maintained a close bond, raising their son, Barron William Trump, born in March 2006.