President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are celebrating an incredible milestone in their personal life today, Jan. 22, 2025. The couple is celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. From meeting each other at a party in 1998 in New York City to being by each other’s side for two decades, and evolving into a power couple, their journey is straight out of a fairy tale.
As today marks the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary, let’s take a look at the timeline of their relationship.
First meeting
Donald Trump met Slovenian-born model Melania Knauss for the first time in 1998. Paolo Zampolli, a former modeling agent, hosted a New York Fashion Week party , and the two happened to meet each other. Trump, who was separated from his second wife Marla Maples, however, had a date, when he met the now First Lady.
Talking to Harper’s Bazaar in 2016, Melania Trump said, “He wanted my number, but he was with a date, so of course I didn’t give it to him. I said, ‘I am not giving you my number; you give me yours, and I will call you.’ I wanted to see what kind of number he would give me — if it was a business number, ‘What is this? I’m not doing business with you.’” Interestingly, Trump gave her all of his numbers including the office, Mar-a-Lago, home in New York, and everything. Melania waited for a few days, and then dialed him. “I was struck by his energy. He has an amazing sense of vitality,” she recalled.
Second divorce and new romance
Donald Trump got separated from Maples in 1997, however, the divorce came through in 1999. He pursued his romance with Melania Trump. Trump’s phone interview on The Howard Stern Show’ in November 1999, also put Melania Knauss in the limelight.
Politics, breakup, and second chances
In 2000, when Trump ventured into presidential politics for the first time, he announced his split with Melania. Talking to The New York Times, he said, “Melania is an amazing woman, a terrific woman, a great woman and she will be missed.” However, the breakup didn’t last long. Trump left the Reform Party race and was photographed with Melania in February the same year.
The big proposal
In 2004, Donald Trump attended the Met Gala with Melania and he popped the question. “It was a great surprise. We are very happy together,” Melania told the New York Post back then.
Wedding bells
Donald Trump and Melania tied the knot in January 2005, at a lavish ceremony held in Palm Beach, Florida. Melania’s wedding gown designed by John Galliano for Christian Dior reportedly cost $100,000. The wedding was attended by some of the influential figures including the Clintons and Barbara Walters, as well as Billy Joel and Tony Bennett.
First child
The couple, in an interview with Larry King spoke about extending their family. “We want to have a family. We want to have a baby together,” Melania Trump said. Donald Trump added, “There’s nothing like a good marriage, and there’s nothing like having children. I have four great children. If you have the money, having children is great. Now, I know Melania, I’m not going to be doing the diapers. I’m not going to be making the food. I may never see the kids, frankly. No. She will be an unbelievable mother. I’ll be good father, but I’ll be, you know, doing my deals.”
The couple welcomed their first child, son Barron in 2006.
Presidential candidacy
In June 2015, Donald Trump officially announced candidacy. Ahead of the presidential election, Trump said that Melania is ready for his win.
“She’s an incredible mother, she loves her son, Barron, so much. And I have to say is she will make an unbelievable first lady,” Trump said in April 2016.
Later Melania told the crowd, “He’s a hard worker. He’s kind. He has a great heart. He’s tough. He’s smart. He’s a great communicator. He’s a great negotiator. He’s telling the truth. He’s a great leader. He’s fair.”
Trumps moves into the White House
After Donald Trump, Melania and their son Barron moved to the White House in June, and she expressed, “Looking forward to the memories we’ll make in our new home! #Movingday.”
In 2021, they moved back to their Palm Beach home of Mar-a-Lago, ahead of Joe Biden’s inaugural ceremony.
Back as President and First Lady
On Jan. 20, 2025, Donald Trump sworn in as president of the United States for the second time. First Lady, Melania Trump was by his supporting him every step of the way.
On the special occasion President Trump posted their wedding picture on X and wrote, “Happy 20th Anniversary to Melania!” The priceless wedding picture has taken the internet by storm.
(Pic courtesy: X/ Trump War Room)
