Melania Trump and Donald Trump have shared a rather complex relationship over the years.

Their journey from meeting in bustling New York during the 1990s to tying the knot was filled with ups and downs.

After navigating through various bumps along the road, they eventually decided to marry.

This was Donald Trump’s third venture into matrimony, quite different from Melania’s first. Donald, a well-known real estate mogul at the time, had already experienced two prior marriages.

Even though Melania, who would eventually become the First Lady, made sure to prepare for any possible future without Donald, their union appeared firm and strong.

There have been a variety of stories told by Melania Trump about their first meeting. At one point, she mentioned that Donald initially did not impress her.

Nowadays, not much is publicly known about their marriage, but one body language expert claimed on Election Day that Melania might not be as emotionally connected to her husband.

But let’s unravel their initial encounter. Melania, originally from Slovenia, sought to make her mark in the U.S. during the 1990s. After moving to New York City, she landed some extraordinary modeling opportunities.

Melania’s Leap to the USA

A significant figure in Melania’s New York story was businessman Paulo Zampolli, who not only introduced her to influential industry personalities but also assisted her in getting a work visa for the U.S.

During the same period, Zampolli was acquainted with many affluent individuals in the city, including Donald Trump.

In 1998, Zampolli invited Donald Trump to an event at the renowned Kit Kat Club during New York’s Fashion Week, where Melania was also present.

At the time, Donald attended the event with a date, fresh from his divorce with his second wife, Marla Maples. Despite being accompanied, Donald’s heart wasn’t set on his date that evening.

Later, after withdrawing from the contest for Melania’s affections, the two would eventually reunite. Melania confirmed in an interview with DuJour that one reason for their brief separation in 2000 was Donald’s political ambitions.

‘That was part of it. We only broke up for a few months,’ she mentioned.

Wedding Bells Ringing

The couple eventually said their vows on January 22, 2005. The grand wedding ceremony took place at the impressive Bethesda-by-the-Sea chapel in Palm Beach, Florida.

It was attended by figures such as Elton John, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and interestingly even Trump’s then-potential presidential opponent Hillary Clinton, along with her husband and former President, Bill Clinton.

For Donald, this marked his third wedding day, but for Melania, it was her first time walking down the aisle.

Donald’s previous marriage to Ivana Trump lasted from 1977 to 1992, and tragically Ivana passed away in 2022. His marriage with Marla Maples ended in 1999, the same year he first laid eyes on Melania.