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As a President and a significant presence in business and media, the story of Donald Trump’s marriages has been woven with glamour, scandal, and public examination. From the glamorous, media-covered unions and subsequent divorces to the tumultuous affairs and legal challenges, his relationships have captivated public interest for decades.
From courtships and vows to scandals and separations, we embark on a compelling journey into the life of a man who has made headlines as much for his business ventures as for his personal life.
Donald Trump stands as the second U.S. President to experience a divorce, following in the footsteps of President Reagan. Trump holds the distinction of being the first to have multiple divorces. Coupled with his immense wealth and celebrity status, this grants him one of the most remarkable divorce histories in modern times.
Marriages:
Donald Trump’s first marriage to Ivana Trump marks a significant chapter in his personal life. Together, they became a power couple in the 1980s, capturing the public’s attention with their lavish lifestyle and business success.
Courtship and Wedding in 1977:
Donald and Ivana Zelnickova met in the late 1970s at a Manhattan restaurant. Ivana, a Czech former model, was charmed by Donald.
They married in 1977 in a lavish ceremony, becoming influential together financially and socially. Ivana made significant contributions to Trump’s business. However, as their profile rose, so did public scrutiny, hinting at future challenges. [1]
Family Life and Public Perception:
Donald and Ivana Trump, with their children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, were major figures in 1980s New York society. Their lavish lifestyle, including properties like Trump Tower Fifth Avenue, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, made them media staples.
Ivana played key roles in Trump’s businesses, boosting their influence, and her work on projects like the Trump Plaza Hotel highlighted her managerial skills. Their marriage often saw their public and private lives intertwined under media scrutiny.
The End of the Relationship:
Donald and Ivana Trump’s marriage ended due to scandals, primarily Donald’s affair with Marla Maples, which became a huge media story amidst rumors of other affairs.
This period was marked by public embarrassment and a barrage of headlines. These events severely strained the marriage, leading to a highly publicized divorce in 1990. Ivana later turned her experience into a memorable cameo in “The First Wives Club,” with her line, “Don’t get mad, get everything.” [2]
The relationship between Donald Trump and Marla Maples began amid much media frenzy, largely because it happened when Trump was still married to his first wife, Ivana Trump.
The affair became a hot topic for tabloids, with frequent mentions in prominent publications like Vanity Fair and the New York Times, capturing the public’s attention worldwide.
His marriage to Marla Maples in 1993 signaled the beginning of a new chapter in his eventful personal life. The union took place at the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City.
Within the context of Trump’s broader biography, this marriage was another milestone punctuated by complexities and media engagement, fitting into the larger narrative of his public persona that married personal life with public intrigue.
The marriage to Marla added another layer to Trump’s life—one interlacing personal adjustment with the persistent public and media attention.
The Relationship Dynamics:
Donald Trump and Marla Maples’ passionate yet turbulent romance made headlines, especially when Maples became pregnant with Tiffany Trump. Despite the pressures of public life and Trump’s business commitments, they remained connected but struggled to align their personal goals and lifestyles.
Divorce Announced: 1997:
The announcement of Donald Trump and Marla Maples’ divorce in 1997 drew immense media interest. They separated in May 1997, and their court hearings continued for two years before they finally got divorced in 1999.
When speaking about what caused the divorce, Marla Maples told PEOPLE in an interview that she and Donald Trump had different views on life and how they should raise their child. She also revealed that she felt like she was “playing a role” as that was “what the job called for.” [3]
The story of Donald Trump meeting Melania Knauss is set against the glamorous backdrop of New York City in the late 1990s.
Melania, originally from Slovenia, was establishing her career as a model in New York City. Their paths crossed for the first time at a Fashion Week party in 1998, held at the Kit Kat Club.
Trump, having already built a reputation for himself as a real estate mogul and media personality, was immediately captivated by Melania’s poise and beauty. Intrigued by her enigmatic presence, Donald Trump initiated a conversation that led to an enduring relationship.
Engaging and Wedding:
Donald Trump and Melania Knauss’s relationship progressed over several years, eventually culminating in a marriage that captured media attention worldwide.
Their wedding, held on January 22, 2005, was an opulent affair that took place at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida. [4]
The media coverage of their wedding placed Melania into the public eye, setting the stage for her eventual role as First Lady of the United States.
Marriage and Life Challenges:
In 2006, Donald and Melania welcomed their son, Barron Trump, growing their family. This period was marked by balance and adaptation as they juggled personal and public life, particularly as Trump’s aspirations shifted toward politics.
After Donald Trump’s successful campaign in 2016, Melania took on the role of First Lady, where she faced scrutiny and criticism, demanding adjustments to her public persona.
Allegations of Infidelity:
Allegations of infidelity have targeted Donald and Melania Trump, placing them under public scrutiny. Key claims involve Trump’s encounters with Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, especially highlighted during his presidential campaign and tenure.
In spite of these accusations of infidelity, Trump and Melania have remained married. Viral videos of Melania brushing Trumps hand away sparked discussion about the state of their marriage.
In spite of the marital challenges they faced, Melania rose to his defense and proclaimed her love for Donald Trump after the assassination attempt when he was running for his second presidency.
In the midst of all these, Donald Trump has once again captured the nation’s attention by winning the 2024 US Presidential elections, securing his position as the 47th President of the United States.
This remarkable political comeback makes him only the second former president in American history, after Grover Cleveland, to be re-elected to the presidency following a four-year interval away from the office.
Melania Trump stands by Donald’s side and has returned to the White House as the First Lady of the United States for a second time. Only time will tell whether this marriage is indeed “until death do us part”.
Contact the Law Offices of Sacks & Sacks, PA, today for a free consultation if you are facing divorce in Florida.
Sources:
[1] ETimes.In. (2024, November 7). Donald Trump’s family journey: Marriages, divorces, and children. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/love-sex/donald-trumps-family-journey-marriages-divorces-and-children/photostory/
[2] O’Neill, J. (2022, July 14). How Ivana Trump’s “First Wives Club” cameo turned her into an icon for spurned brides. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2022/07/14/how-ivana-trump-became-an-icon-for-spurned-wives/
[3] Triggs, C. (2016b, April 19). Marla Maples Opens Up About Surprisingly Modest Lifestyle After Her Split from Donald Trump: ‘I Laugh When People Think I Walked Away with a Fortune’ People.com. https://people.com/tv/marla-maples-opens-up-about-life-after-split-from-donald-trump/
[4] Ardrey, T. (2025, January 19). Photos: A glimpse at Donald and Melania Trump’s 2005 star-studded, lavish wedding. USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/01/19/donald-melania-trump-2005-wedding-photos/
