See Melania Trump at 16 – Rare Photos and All We Know from Her Childhood

The Slovenian-born model draws from her past to shape the elegant style she brings to her role as First Lady of the US.

Melania Trump has come a long way to become the woman she is today. With her new documentary "Melania" opening in theaters, it's a chance to look back at her life, from a shy young girl to a model and now First Lady. Explore her teen photos and childhood that shaped her journey.

From Sevnica's Factory Chimneys to Big Dreams

Melania spent her early years in the industrial town of Sevnica. She grew up in Communist-era apartment buildings that looked out over a river and factory chimneys that rarely stopped smoking.

Those who knew her then recall a tall, slender, and well-mannered girl. She had a strong focus on her studies and an early ambition to build a fashion career beyond her hometown.

Residents of Sevnica have often described her as someone who stood out, not just for her looks but for her determination and curiosity about the world beyond the town.

One of her childhood friends, Mirjana Jelancic, said, "I think I can say Sevnica was too small for her. Even as a child, she dreamed of moving."

Melania's Mother and a Spark for Fashion

Melania's father, Viktor Knavs, ran a car dealership, and her mother, Amalija Knavs, was employed at a textile factory. Their family home was an eight-story apartment building located right beside the brightly painted primary school she attended.

The headmistress of that school at the time, Jelancic, described Melania as a standout pupil who was organized, disciplined, and known for her polite behavior. She also recalled that Melania was respectful in her interactions, never using foul language or speaking unkindly to others.

Melania's mother, Amalija, met Viktor in 1966 when he was working as a chauffeur for the mayor of a nearby town. Amalija was known for always being impeccably dressed and perfectly groomed.

Tomšič, who now runs a local hospital that Melania donated $25,000 to after marrying Donald Trump, recalled that she was very pretty and fancy.

Evenings were often spent by Amalija sewing clothes for herself and her two daughters, Ines and Melania. As Melania learned to draw, she began sketching her own designs, which her mother or sister would then bring to life by sewing them. These early experiences helped ignite Melania's enduring passion for fashion.

The Business Savvy of Melania's Father, Seen in His Circle

While working for the car company in Ljubljana, Viktor maintained an apartment in one of the city's first residential high-rises. The prestigious address provided his daughters with a place to stay in the capital.

This allowed them to attend design school — a notable luxury at the time. Back in Sevnica, most residents still lived in the utilitarian apartments provided by their factories. However, Viktor managed to build a house in what was considered the town's most desirable neighborhood.

Viktor's friend and neighbor, Tomaž Jeraj, noted that Donald shares Viktor's entrepreneurial instincts. He described Viktor as a natural salesman with business acumen running in his veins.

The Untold Story of Melania's Half-Brother and Her Father's Past

Like Donald, Viktor is also known for being fiercely protective and litigious in matters involving women in his life. Before marrying Melania's mother, Viktor dated a local woman named Marija Cigelnjak.

In September 1964, she informed him that she was pregnant. According to court records, Viktor initially offered to marry her but soon retracted the offer. He insisted she terminate the pregnancy, claiming the child was not his.

Marija gave birth to a son in May 1965 and filed for child support three months later. Viktor continued to deny paternity, providing detailed testimony in court about the timing of their relationship and her menstrual cycle.

The court subsequently ordered a blood test, which confirmed that Viktor was the boy's biological father. Despite his appeals, including taking the case to Slovenia's highest appellate court, all rulings ultimately remained in Marija's favor.

Viktor has never acknowledged his son, Denis Cigelnjak, who is now in his 50s. The existence of Melania's half-brother has never been publicly reported.

Although he has never spoken to the media before, Denis shared his story and granted permission to access the relevant court documents from the Slovenian archives.

He lives in a small apartment in Hrastnik, the town where his mother — who passed away several years ago — worked at a glass factory.

She never remarried or had other children. Denis says he has no memory of ever meeting his father. Viktor provided child support until Denis turned 18, but never made any personal contact.

A Chance Discovery That Set Everything in Motion

Melania's interest in fashion took shape during her primary school years. She briefly dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, according to a friend. The headmistress of that school, Jelancic, said Melania showed creativity by reworking old clothes into new outfits, hinting early at her eye for style.

Her path into the fashion world became more defined after she moved to Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, to attend high school. It was there that her ambitions began to turn into something more tangible.

In Slovenia, a chance encounter with photographer Stane Jerko set her on the right path. Stane noticed Melania while she sat on a fence waiting for a friend who was taking part in a fashion show.

"It was January 1987 when I went home just before the end of the fashion show. On the stairs of the Festival Hall, I saw a girl that immediately caught my eye. There stood a tall, slender and attractive long-haired girl with distinct eyes," narrated Stane.

Stane recalled being struck by Melania's height, figure, and hair when he first saw her. Though she appeared shy, hesitant, and lacking a smile in those early images, he encouraged her to visit his studio. This marked the first step in her modeling journey.

The two had a trial shoot, where Melania arrived with her own clothes for the session. The resulting images showed clear potential and became the foundation of her first portfolio.

In the beginning, Melania was described as reserved, though she quickly grew at ease in front of the camera. She was also keen to learn, taking a strong interest in the details behind each shoot, from lighting to hair and makeup.

She later returned for another shoot, this time modeling designs from a Slovenian textile factory. Those early sessions helped establish her as a professional model.

Her striking appearance helped her stand out. "She was a special kind of beauty, not the classic type. She had eyes that were kind of psychedelic. You look in those eyes and it was like looking in the eyes of an animal," a friend from Ljubljana said.

Melania went on to work in major fashion capitals such as Milan and Paris. She gained international experience while becoming fluent in English, German, French, and Italian, alongside her native Slovenian and Serbo-Croatian, widely spoken across Yugoslavia.

Melania eventually moved to New York in 1996, and two years later, she met Donald at a Manhattan party. The meeting that would shape the next chapter of her life as the couple dated and got married in 2005.

Melania and Donald welcomed their son Barron Trump just over a year later. In the months leading up to the birth, a visibly pregnant Melania posed for a Vogue magazine shoot.

She was clad in a gold bikini on the steps of her husband's private jet, continuing to showcase her signature sense of fashion even during pregnancy.

Fans Swoon over Melania's Teen Photos

Now, the resurfaced images of Melania have offered a glimpse into her early years and sparked instant admiration, with one admirer gushing, "Wow, she is soo [sic] beautiful😍😍."

Another fan zeroed in on her features, "She used to have pretty eyes 😍." Her beauty and presence were summed up neatly by a fan, "Elegant even then."

The conversation quickly shifted to family resemblance, with one commenter writing, "Wow beautiful pictures and I see her handsome son Baron feature on Melania President Trump.❤️❤️❤️❤️."

That observation opened the floodgates, as another fan concurred, "I see the resemblance. He looks like mom when she was a teen." Rounding it off, one fan simply remarked, "Interesting, he does resemble her a lot."

Melania Honored Her Mother's Life with a Heartfelt Farewell

Melania's life has also been marked by profound loss. In January 2024, Melania announced the passing of her mother, Amalija, who was 78. "Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity," she shared.

Melania added, "She was entirely devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law. We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy."

While Melania did not disclose the cause of death, Donald Trump had earlier mentioned at a Florida event that his mother-in-law was "very ill."

Reports also noted that Melania had been caring for her ailing mother, which explained her absence from the Trump family Christmas photo at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach in December 2023.

During Amalija's funeral service at a church near the family's Mar-a-Lago estate, Melania delivered a heartfelt eulogy. She reflected on the comfort and peace she always found in her mother's presence.

She spoke of how her mother had been a constant source of support, celebrating the family's successes and offering strength during challenging times. Melania also recalled the joy and laughter that marked family travels with her mother, father, and sister.

The First Lady also spoke of the effortless, graceful conversations she shared with her mother that left a lasting impression. "In her presence, the world seemed to shimmer with radiance and joy. Our bond was unbreakable,” she noted.

Before she stepped off the pulpit, Melania added, "Rest in peace, my beloved mother." She concluded by standing before her mother's casket, pressing her fingers to her lips before gently placing them on the casket in a final, tender gesture.

How Some Slovenians View Melania Today

In Slovenia, there is a lingering sense of resentment among some who feel Melania has distanced herself from her roots. Rumors circulate that she no longer speaks Slovenian. Critics also note that Donald visited the country only once, briefly, for dinner.

Some speculate that Melania may see Slovenia as too small for her ambitions — and perhaps with some justification. Yet in interviews, she openly acknowledges her Slovenian upbringing.

Melania has never expressed embarrassment about it, describing her early years as a "beautiful childhood." Barron speaks Slovenian fluently, using it to communicate with his grandparents, who immigrated to New York and lived nearby in Trump Tower.

For Melania herself, however, Slovenia represents a relatively brief chapter of her past, one she quickly moved beyond as her life and career expanded internationally.

"Melania" Documentary Offers Rare Glimpse Into the First Lady's Life

Today, Melania Trump is a prominent public figure as the First Lady, a role she held during Donald Trump's first term and now continues in his current term.

Her life is now being captured on film in a new documentary. "Melania" chronicles the First Lady's activities in the 20 days leading up to her husband's 2024 re-election.

The film opens in over 1,500 theaters on Friday, January 30. This is a notably wide release for a documentary, a format that rarely draws the same box office attention as narrative features.

Industry projections are strong, with BoxOfficePro initially estimating a $1–2 million opening, later revising it to $2–5 million. For context, most documentaries rarely surpass $3 million in total lifetime gross.

The film was acquired by the studio division of Jeff Bezos's media empire, Amazon, for an estimated $40 million. There is also an additional $35 million spent on marketing and promotion, bringing the total costs to around $75 million. This far exceeds the projected opening revenue.

Directed by Brett Ratner, "Melania" offers audiences an inside look at the First Lady's current life and a rare glimpse into her world both on and off the public stage.