Melania Trump grew up far from Washington, in the small industrial town of Sevnica, Slovenia. Rare photos from her teenage years show a tall, reserved young woman with clear ambition.
Raised in a modest apartment during the Communist era, Melania was known as polite, disciplined and focused. Her father worked in car sales, and her mother was employed at a textile factory. Evenings at home often included sewing, and Melania began sketching clothing designs as a girl. That early exposure sparked her lasting interest in fashion.
As a teenager in Ljubljana, she was discovered by a local photographer. Though shy at first, she quickly became comfortable in front of the camera. Modeling opportunities later took her to Milan and Paris before she moved to New York in 1996.
In 1998, she met Donald Trump. They married in 2005 and welcomed their son, Barron, the following year. Over time, she transitioned from international model to First Lady.
Melania has described her upbringing as a “beautiful childhood.” Despite criticism in her home country that she distanced herself, she has acknowledged her Slovenian roots. Today, her early life continues to shape the elegance and discipline she brings to public life.
