First Lady Melania Trump wasn’t born in this country, instead being born in Slovenia. It came out recently that she received a visa in 2001 that is normally reserved for “individuals with extraordinary ability,” as a model. Some question whether she really fit the bill. These photos may clear things up.
Melania the Model
Melania started modeling in her teens, appearing in Ocean Drive in one of her first photoshoots in the U.S. Notably, she is the only First Lady ever to pose nude.
Well-Traveled
Even at a young age, the life of a model is full of traveling for photoshoots and appearances. While working in her teenage years, Melania flew to cities like Milan, Paris, and New York.
Multilingual
Anyone can tell you how hard it is to learn a new language, but Melania is fluent in five of them: English, her native Slovenian, French, Serbian, and German. What served her well as a model is a useful skill in politics as well.
Meeting Donald
Melania first met her husband in 1998, at a Fashion Week party in New York. Their relationship became public knowledge after a 1999 interview Howard Stern did with Trump.
On the Trail (before 2016)
Ironically, Donald Trump ran for president once before, campaigning in 2000 for the Reform Party nomination. Melania was on the campaign trail with her future husband.
Wife #3
Melania is Donald Trump’s third wife, behind athlete, model and socialite Ivana Zelníčková and actress Marla Maples. It would appear the president certainly has a type.
Designer
Being a Trump comes with benefits, like Melania putting the name behind her jewelry collection, ‘Melania Timepieces & Jewelry.’ It sold out in 45 minutes on QVC.
Life as First Lady
The New York Times asked Melania what kind of First Lady she would be in the run-up to the 2016 election. Her answer? “I would be very traditional. Like Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy. I would support him.”
Charity Work
Melania has been associated with several charitable causes, including breast cancer research and the Red Cross. As First Lady, she mentioned wanting to work against cyberbullying at one point.
The Wedding
Melania became Mrs. Trump in 2005, naturally in opulent fashion. Highlights included $500,000 spent on flowers and a 50-pound orange Grand Marnier cake.
Beauty Product Designer
Along with her work on jewelry, Melania also created a line of beauty products. They famously appeared on one Celebrity Apprentice episodes, where contestants had to create a marketing plan for them.
Stepmother
One wonders if it’s a bit awkward for Donald Trump’s grown children from previous marriages to call Melania mom. She’s only 7 years older than his oldest son, Donald Trump, Jr.
Barron’s Mom
Melania also has her own son with Trump, Barron, born in 2006. One may remember early in Trump’s presidency where Melania and Barron lived in New York while Donald was at the White House.
A True Cover Girl
Melania was a pretty successful model, appearing on the covers of Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, In Style, Vanity Fair, and Vogue during her career.
Interior Designer
Fun fact: Melania designed many of the properties the Trumps own, including their penthouse in Trump Tower, decorated in marble and 24k gold.
Standing By Her Man
Some viral footage has shown Melania appearing to be irritated with her husband, but it wasn’t always this way. On the campaign trail, she said she thought he could help the American people.
Keeping Private
Compared to other First Ladies, Melania likes her privacy. She’s said that she keeps up with what her husband is up to, but doesn’t like sharing the limelight.
Article Writer
Charlie took to the written word like a fish takes to water. That is to say; they found themselves immersed in literature from before they were born. They've been known to tell their friends how they can still remember the passages their parents read to them when they were in utero - Emily Dickinson, Jane Austen, and a bit of Hunter S. Thompson thrown in to balance it out. Charlie keeps their feet wet, whether they're whipping up pithy one-liners to tease your brain or busy working on their second novel (the first one is available on Amazon under a pen name they refuse to disclose). You’re sure to get a kick out of giggle-worthy explanations and outrageous hints, and still come away feeling like you’ve just expanded your knowledge base.
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