From how they met to becoming America’s first couple; here’s a relationship timeline of Melania and Donald Trump

1998: A Fashion-Week Introduction

Donald Trump and Melania Knauss archetypal crossed paths successful 1998 astatine a New York Fashion Week enactment organised by erstwhile modelling cause Paolo Zampolli. Although Trump attended the enactment with different date, helium was instantly drawn to Melania and asked for her number.

In a 2016 interrogation with Harper’s Bazaar, Melania recalled her reaction: “He wanted my number, but helium was with a date, truthful of people I didn’t springiness it to him… I said, ‘I americium not giving you my number; you springiness maine yours, and I volition telephone you.’” Trump handed implicit each his interaction numbers, and she yet reached out. “I was struck by his energy,” she aboriginal said. “He has an astonishing consciousness of vitality.”

Melania Trump has often grabbed headlines since her hubby announced helium was moving successful the 2016 election.

2000: A Brief Split and Political Foray

In 2000, arsenic Trump made his archetypal effort astatine statesmanlike authorities by vying for the Reform Party nomination, the mates temporarily parted ways. Trump told The New York Times, “Melania is an astonishing woman, a terrific woman, a large woman… And she volition beryllium missed.” However, the divided was brief, and they soon reunited, with Melania backmost by his side.

2004: The Proposal astatine the Met Gala

The Met Gala served arsenic the backdrop for Trump’s connection to Melania successful 2004. After attending the glamorous event, Trump amazed her with an engagement ring. “It was a large surprise,” Melania told the New York Post then. “We are precise blessed together.”

2005: Wedding Bells successful Palm Beach

In January 2005, Donald and Melania exchanged vows successful a lavish ceremonial astatine Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property successful Palm Beach, Florida. Their wedding reception included a big of high-profile guests.

Reflecting connected their wedding, Melania told Larry King a fewer hours aft the nuptials that it was a “fantastic” day, adding, “We had a large time.” The newlyweds chose to enactment astatine Mar-a-Lago for their honeymoon, with Trump saying, “Why permission our gorgeous, beauteous house…?”

2006: The Birth of Their Son, Barron

The Trumps welcomed their son, Barron, connected March 20, 2006.  Trump, known for his business-first approach, said successful an interrogation with Larry King, “I whitethorn ne'er spot the kids, frankly… She volition beryllium an unbelievable mother. I’ll beryllium a bully father, but I’ll be, you know, doing my deals.”

Donald Trump waves arsenic helium walks with Melania Trump astatine an predetermination nighttime ticker enactment astatine the Palm Beach Convention Center, successful West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

2016-21: The Presidency Years and Transition

In 2016, Donald Trump embarked connected a palmy run for the U.S. presidency. Melania supported him, calling him a “hard worker” and a “great leader.”

Trump besides praised her, telling supporters successful Wisconsin, “She’s an unthinkable mother… and I person to say, she volition marque an unbelievable First Lady.”

While Donald Trump was sworn successful arsenic the 45th President successful January 2017, Melania and Barron waited until June to articulation him successful Washington, D.C., aft Barron completed his schoolhouse year. Their determination to the White House marked a caller section successful the couple’s nationalist life, which ended lone aft the Trumps moved retired of it.

2023: Donald Trump connected Melania’s Role successful His Campaign

As Donald Trump announced his tally for the presidency again successful 2024, helium addressed questions astir Melania’s engagement connected the run trail. In a Meet the Press interview, helium shared, “She’s a backstage person, a large person, precise confident… she’ll be, astatine the due time, retired there.” Trump besides admitted, “Honestly, I similar to support her distant from it. It’s truthful nasty and truthful mean.”

2024: Assassination Attempt and Melania’s Statement

In July 2024, an attempted assassination of Donald Trump near the federation shaken. Melania expressed her feelings successful a heartfelt statement: “When I watched that convulsive slug onslaught my husband, Donald, I realised my life, and Barron’s life, were connected the brink of devastating change,” she wrote. She besides thanked the Secret Service agents and instrumentality enforcement officials for their bravery. Later, Melania joined Trump connected signifier astatine the Republican National Convention, wherever helium publically thanked her for her support.