Melania Trump, born Melanija Knavs in 1970 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, began her journey in the small industrial town of Sevnica. From an early age, she was described as disciplined, polite, and passionate about fashion. Her modeling career started at 16 when photographer Stane Jerko discovered her. She modeled in Paris and Milan before moving to New York City in 1996.

In 1998, Melania met Donald Trump at a party. They married in 2005 and had their son, Barron, in 2006. As First Lady, she maintained a low profile, prioritizing motherhood and privacy, especially during Trump’s presidency. Her Slovenian roots remained a topic of interest, especially in her hometown, where reactions were mixed.