What To Know About Melania And Donald Trump's Marriage

 

What's the truth about Melania and Donald Trump's marriage? For the couple, first came love, then came marriage, then came an unexpected presidency. But being one of the nation's most-watched couples has not been easy for the Trumps; their union had been criticized because of their 24-year age gap and Donald's track record of divorce and alleged sex scandals. 

Donald and Melania's love story began in New York, where the billionaire businessman met the Slovenian model in a nightclub. Although Donald is known for his gregarious nature and Melania is considered shy, the pair shared an undeniable chemistry from the start. Five years after their fateful first encounter, the pair said "I do," and a year later, they expanded their family with the birth of Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump.

Donald and Melania's relationship was put to the test during Donald's run for presidency, as allegations emerged that he acted inappropriately with other women. Ever the faithful wife, Melania dismissed the accusations and stood by her husband. However, there's still speculation that they have a loveless relationship.

Melania and Donald Trump met at a New York nightclub

Donald first laid eyes on Melania Trump in 1998 at the Kit Kat Club in New York City, after being introduced by an Italian businessman. "It was a great chemistry and energy, something was there right away," Melania revealed on "Larry King Live" (via YouTube). But in an interview with the New York Post, Melania's friend Edit Molnar said that Donald was there with another woman, so Melania didn't entertain his advances.

But Donald was smitten. "I'd seen her before, on the runways and things, but her beauty utterly amazed me," he told Tatler. Even though his playboy friends told him not to waste his time because they'd already tried to court her, he persisted and asked for Melania's number. "But I didn't give it to him," Melania recalled. "Because I knew who he was and I guess ... he had all these ladies, so I want to see what kind of number he will give to me." 

Although she was skeptical, Donald didn't give her his business line, but his personal digits. She called him a few days later and the rest is history. 

Melania reportedly broke up with Donald early on in their relationship

It wasn't smooth sailing for Melania and Donald Trump in the early stretch of their relationship. Prior to Melania, Donald was in a relationship with model Kara Young. Donald and Young dated for two years in the late 90s. Well, Young wasn't exactly gone when Melania and Donald kicked things off.

Melania was entering his Trump Tower apartment building so that they could set off for Mar-a-Lago when she spotted Young leaving his building. This wasn't going to work for Melania, and she dumped Donald on the spot. Ronald Kessler, who wrote "The Trump White House: Changing the Rules of the Game," told People about the situation. "He had dated Kara for almost two years, and what did Melania do? She broke up with him," Kessler said. "She said, 'Screw that, I don't care about all his billions of dollars, I am breaking up,' and she called [Donald's former butler Tony Senecal] at Mar-a-Lago to send all her clothes back."

The situation created skepticism for Melania, and so she walked away from Trump. Her former roommate, photographer Matthew Atanian told GQ: "She had some trust issues with him at the beginning." Atanian went on: "She was telling me that she wouldn't have it, he was back to his old ways. She kept her apartment to have her own space because of this." However, it didn't last long and within about six months, the two were back together.

Their wedding was a lavish, star-studded affair

Melania and Donald Trump tied the knot in a $42 million ballroom at their Mar-a-Lago estate, which Donald had built from scratch. The compound was replete with 24-karat gold moldings, custom-made crystal chandeliers, and marble floors covering 11,000 square feet. Their guest list included Bill and Hillary Clinton, Billy Joel (who performed), Anna Wintour, Heidi Klum, Derek Jeter, and Shaquille O'Neal.

Melania, who was 34 at the time, wore a Christian Dior gown with a 13-foot train which reportedly cost $200,000. In fact, she graced the cover of Vogue wearing what the magazine called "the dress of the year." Melania's engagement ring, from Graff Jewelers, cost $75,000.

At the time, Donald was 58, and completely confident in his third union. As he told People: "If I didn't have a great woman, I would be much more nervous." When Larry King asked Melania if she was apprehensive on "Larry King Live," she said that after being together for five years, she was confident. "We know what kind of relationship we have and I don't think I should be scared of anything," she shared (via YouTube).

Melania Trump is Donald Trump's third wife

For Donald Trump, the third time's a charm when it comes to marriage; the ladies' man was married twice before he made it official with Melania Trump. With Donald Trump's first wife, the late Ivana Trump, to whom he was married from 1977 to 1992, he shares three children: Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump. The Trump children enjoy lavish lifestyles and all work for their father. 

While Donald was still married to Ivana, he had a public affair with actress Marla Maples. Their relationship made headlines when the New York Post released a cover with the alleged Maples quote that described Donald having prowess in bed (via the Daily Beast). Donald ultimately married Maples in 1993 and had his fourth child, Tiffany Trump, with her two months later. By 1997, they were divorced.

All of Donald's wives signed prenuptial agreements. To that end, after their divorce, Ivana was awarded $25 million and their Greenwich mansion (via Business Insider) and Maples received $1 million plus another million for a home (via Vanity Fair).

Donald Trump called Melania Trump 'terrific' in bed

When it comes to Melania Trump, Donald Trump doesn't hold back from talking about their physical chemistry. In an interview with shock jock Howard Stern in 2004, Donald complimented Melania's skills in the bedroom. "[Melania] is terrific in bed," he boasted. "She wouldn't want me to say that, but she is." 

In another interview with Stern (via YouTube) which took place in 1999 before they were married, Melania actually revealed that she and her husband were frequently intimate. These interviews happened before Donald was elected president, and Melania didn't seem to mind the explicit nature of the conversations. When asked about them in an interview with Dujour, she said: "Men will be men."

In addition to commenting on their bedroom habits, Donald seldom fails to acknowledge his partner's attractive looks. "Her beauty amazes me. It is not normal," he told Tatler. And apparently, the feeling is mutual, as Melania has also gushed about Donald's physical allure. "He's a very handsome guy and sexy," she shared. Referring to Donald Trump's famous mane of hair, Melania called it "beautiful" and "very soft."

Melania and Donald Trump have one son together