America's next First Lady Melania Trump - in pictures
A closer look at Donald Trump's wife, who is set to break a few trends when she enters the White House










As Obama delivered a tearful farewell address following the most remarkable election in US political history, the world is beginning to prepare for Donald Trump's presidency.
But it won't be just him making the big move into the White House, he will be accompanied by wife Melania, so what can we expect from the soon-to-be first lady?
Melania Trump – nee Melanija Knavs – was born in the town of Novo Mesto in Yugoslavia (now modern-day Slovenia), making her the second foreign-born first lady after London-born Louisa Adams, John Quincy Adams's wife.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Despite being second in that list, she takes first place on a number of others: she will be the first non-native English speaker, the first third wife of a president and the first to be fluent in five languages.
Another unusual first is that she will become the only first lady to have posed nude. Three years before she met her husband, Melania was photographed naked by Ale de Basseville for a French men's monthly magazine. The "bombshell" photo set was uncovered during the presidential campaign by the New York Post, but didn't seem to have any effect on the outcome of the election.
As for her character, Jean Wahl Harris, who studies the role of the first lady at the University of Scranton, tells USA Today Melania is probably going to take on a role similar to that of Jackie Kennedy, rather than Michelle Obama. "In terms of the evolution of the first lady, I see her moving us back to the more traditional role," says Wahl Harris. "She's not going to want to be in the public eye. Jackie Kennedy wanted to protect her children and herself."
However, Melania may face an uphill struggle, with polling website Gallup suggesting in July that her favourability rating "makes her among the least well-known and least well-liked" of all potential first ladies it has measured over the years.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Later in July, she made a rare foray into the spotlight to campaign for her husband's presidential bid, but faced a backlash when her speech at the Republican National Convention was later revealed to have been mostly copied from a similar address given by Michelle Obama.
The Sydney Morning Herald says "subsequent interviewers failed to press her on the gaffe" before she returned to the campaign trail to announce that "ending online abuse" would be her first assignment as first lady.
"I see now in 21st century, the social media, it's very damaging for the children," she said in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper. "We need to guide them and teach them about social media because I see a lot of negativity on it and we need to help them."
Some noted the irony of Melania's commitment to protecting children from abuse on social media, given her husband's track record of attacking his political enemies online.
Again, she faced criticism from high-profile celebrities, including singer Lady Gaga.
When Cooper asked whether there was anything she would like to change about her husband, Melania replied: "His tweeting."
But after being married to the businessman for more than a decade, she "knows what to expect from her spouse," the Daily Telegraph says.
Asked about her husband's controversial statements about women that were released midway through the campaign and temporarily threatened to derail his presidential bid, she said: "People talk about me like, 'Oh, Melania, oh poor Melania.' People don't really know me. I'm very strong. I can handle everything. Don't feel sorry for me."
Melania has hinted she is unlikely to be as politically active as Michelle Obama was during her time as first lady, telling GQ Magazine: "I chose not to go into politics and policy... Those policies are my husband's job."
Despite her desire to take a back-seat role, Melania has already come under fire for announcing she intends to stay in New York next year rather than move with her husband to the White House in Washington DC. More than 100,000 New Yorkers have signed a petition demanding the former model leave the city, given keeping her secure there will reportedly cost city taxpayers $1m (£870,000) per day.
Before her husband is inaugurated, Melania may be able to profit from the guidance of the current First Lady, whom she met when she visited the White House last month. Obama has enjoyed massive popularity throughout her husband's presidency and is now tipped by some to be a prospective presidential candidate in her own right.
-
The Liberal Democrats: on the march?
Talking Point After winning their highest number of seats in 2024, can the Lib Dems marry ‘stunts’ with a ‘more focused electoral strategy’?
-
Your Party: a Pythonesque shambles
Talking Point Comical disagreements within Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's group highlight their precarious position
-
Sudoku medium: September 28, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
The Liberal Democrats: on the march?
Talking Point After winning their highest number of seats in 2024, can the Lib Dems marry ‘stunts’ with a ‘more focused electoral strategy’?
-
Why Trump is so focused on getting a Nobel Peace Prize
The Explainer A recent poll found that three-quarters of Americans say Trump doesn’t deserve the award
-
Trump declares new tariffs on drugs, trucks, furniture
Speed Read He's putting tariffs of 25% on semi trucks, 30% on upholstered furniture, 50% on kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and 100% on certain drugs
-
Trump DOJ indicts Comey, longtime Trump target
Speed Read The president is using the Justice Department to prosecute his political enemies
-
Trump’s plan for a government shutdown: mass firings
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As lawmakers scramble to avoid a shutdown, the White House is making plans for widespread layoffs that could lead to a permanent federal downsizing
-
Trump DOJ reportedly rushing to indict Comey
Speed Read Former FBI Director James Comey oversaw the initial 2016 investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia
-
‘ExxonMobil made the right call’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Man convicted of trying to assassinate Trump
Speed Read Ryan Routh tried to shoot President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course last September