Melania Trump might be best known for being the wife of newly elected President Donald Trump, but the Slovenia-born immigrant is just as impressive in her own right.
Melania is only the second First Lady to be born outside of the United States
Melania is the second First Lady who was born outside of the United States, and only became a US citizen in 2006 (the same year she gave birth to her and President Trump’s son, Barron). She grew up in Communist apartment block in the small Slovenian town of Sevnica where her parents were as factory workers.
Melania was “discovered” in 1987 at the age of 16 by renowned photographer Stane Jerko. He ultimately catapulted her modelling career which eventually led FLOTUS to the United States in 1996.
Real name
At the time she was known as Melanija Knavs but later changed her name to the more German-sounding Melania Knauss, which is the name she used throughout her modelling career in the both Europe and the US.
Meeting Donald
She initially turned down President Trump when he asked for her number at a New York party in 1998 (Donald was there with another woman at the time). Instead, she asked for his details. “If I give him my number, I’m just one of the women he calls,” she told GQ magazine. He subsequently gave her all him numbers, business and personal. The couple started dating and wed in 2005.
Speaks five languages
Impressively, Melania speaks five languages. In addition to her native Slovenian, she is also fluent in English, French, Serbian and German – perfect for diplomatic relations as FLOTUS.
Model herself after Jackie Kennedy
As First Lady she will model herself after Jacqueline Kennedy. “She had a very beautiful, elegant, simple but feminine style,” Melania told (Harper’s BAZAAR)[http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a13529/melania-trump-interview-0216/|target=”_blank”|rel=”nofollow”].
Focus as First Lady
One of her main focuses as First Lady will be taking a stand against cyber-bullying. “Our culture has gotten too mean and too rough, especially to children and teenagers,” the 46-year-old said at a pre-election rally. “It is never OK when a 12-year-old girl or boy is mocked, bullied or attacked. It is terrible when that happens on the playground and it is absolutely unacceptable when it’s done by someone with no name hiding on the internet.”
Clinton friends
Before they were rivals, Bill and Hillary Clinton attended the wedding of Donald and Melania in 2005. At the time Hillary said: “I happened to be in Florida, and I thought it was going to be fun to go to this wedding, because it’s always entertaining.” The nuptials were so lavish, Melania appeared on the cover of US Vogue wearing her actual wedding dress.
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