Melania Trump celebrates her 55th birthday and everyone is saying the same thing
President Donald Trump proposed to Melania Trump on her birthday back in 2004. Today, she is celebrating her 55th birthday and many people have the same thoughts
Melania Trump turns 55 today, April 26, and many people are sharing similar reactions to the First Lady's age. Born in Slovenia in 1970, Melania's early years were shaped by her father's work in car dealerships and her mother's occupation in the children's clothing industry.
Raised Catholic, Melania Trump experienced a comfortable upbringing, dotted with ski trips and summers away. A familiar path for many factory workers' kids, she was involved in fashion shows throughout her youth, reportedly displaying the garments her mother helped make.
Her love of fashion is well known and it's likely this childhood experiences set her on the path to modeling.
Her big break came at 16 when Slovenian photographer Stane Jerko spotted her during a school fashion show. After successfully working as a model throughout Europe for a number of years, Melania moved to the US in 1996, cementing her image with a high-profile Camel cigarette campaign.
The ad was displayed in Times Square, and even featured in Rolling Stone magazine. In the second half of the 90s, she crossed paths with Donald Trump, who is 24 years her senior, at a party.
Despite mutual interest between the pair, she famously declined to give him her number when he asked. It wasn't long until they became a couple, making their presence known at a string of high profile events and soirees.
In a 1999 interview with The New York Times, Melania explained: "I am not a girl who will just give away the number to anybody."
The New York Times/CBS News poll back then showed 70% of Americans had "an unfavorable opinion of Mr Trump", yet he was undeterred in his White House ambitions.
When asked about her potential future as a First Lady and how she might be, Melania told The Times: "I would be very traditional. Like Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy. I would support him."
Years later, the Trump family made their way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Donald Trump's 2004 proposal to Melania happened on her birthday, as the couple prepared to attend the annual fashion extravaganza, the Met Gala.
The couple went on to marry on January 22, 2005, and Melania even bagged a prestigious Vogue cover which saw her sporting a Christian Dior wedding dress.
Now, on April 26, 2025, the First Lady celebrates turning 55. A heartfelt tribute from one X user read: "Melania Trump turns 55 today.
"Best wishes to the American First Lady, who will spend her birthday at Pope Francis's funeral and then en route because duty always comes first!"
The online community were keen to share their thoughts. One commenter said: "I think she's got better with age, can't believe she's my age!"
Another shared: "She has aged like a fine wine. Love her". A third user added: "Best Wishes and Happy Birthday to our beautiful and gracious First Lady!"