Donald and Melania Trump Marriage: How Do the Former White House Couple Manage to Stay Together for Over a Decade
Melania Trump has chosen to stay out of the limelight when her husband, former President Donald Trump, took the role of being the country's leader.
But with the controversies surrounding her husband's leadership, Melania also faced various issues, including a donation denied by the recipient and a charity that raised many questions.
Melania and Donald met in September 1998 when the former first lady was part of the New York City's Fashion Week festivities, according to Biography.
Melania was 28 years old at that time, while Donald was 52. The former president was in the middle of divorcing his second wife, Marla Maples.
Donald attended an event with a date, Norwegian cosmetics heiress Celina Midelfart. However, when Celina went to the bathroom, he saw Melania and quickly approached her.
Melania said Donald asked for her number, but she also requested his. Donald then provided her with every possible number, including the numbers in his office, Mar-a-Lago, and his home in New York.
After a week, they went on their first date, and the flame was lit. The two broke up multiple times within the first year of meeting one another.
Melania was not on his side when he first thought of running for president, as a Reform Party candidate, in 2000. But the two fixed things up, and in 2001, Melania obtained her Green Card and moved into Donald's penthouse in Trump Tower.
In April 2004, Donald proposed to Melania with a $1.5 million diamond ring, praising her willingness to sign a prenup and acknowledging her support in him being a TV personality.
In January 2005, the two married at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, with Melania in a $100,000 Christian Dior adorned with around 1,500 crystals.
Billy Joel was part of the star-studded guest list, including Barbara Walters, Regis Philbin, Matt Lauer, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Melania Trump as Former First Lady
Melania Trump is the second first lady born outside of the United States. She is also the only first lady to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Melania grew up in Slovenia and worked as a fashion model through agencies in Europe's fashion capitals of Milan and Paris before moving to New York City in 1996.
Melania has become an ambassador of kindness, which is an advocate for issues affecting the lives of children and has given voice to the country's most vulnerable children and families.
For five years, she served as an Honorary Chairwoman for the Boys' Club of New York and was named Woman of the Year in 2006 by the Police Athletic League, according to the Trump White House Archives site.
Melania also became the chairwoman of the American Heart Association in 2010, raising $1.7 million for research. During that same year, she launched her own jewelry collection.
Melania Trump has focused her time as the first lady on many issues affecting children by spending with kids in classrooms, hospitals, care facilities, at home in the White House, and communities worldwide.
She has campaigned the BE BEST, which has three pillars: well-being for children, online safety, and opioid abuse.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump Marriage: Celebrating 17 Years
Donald Trump and Melania Trump have recently celebrated their 17 years of marriage. Sources told People that the former president and former first lady marked their wedding anniversary with a low-profile weekend at their home in Florida last January.
"Both are very happy to be in Palm Beach. Mar-a-Lago is their home and they could not be happier about that. They do not miss New York," a source told the outlet.
According to the source, Melania and Donald have a livable relationship and get along even with their different personalities and interests.
For the past months, another source told People that the couple often sees their friends for dinner at the club, but they do their own thing and spend little time together most of the time.
The source said Donald plays golf regularly with politicians who fly down and social friends from his club, while Melania is busy with her family, the spa at Mar-a-Lago, and her own business and philanthropic interests.
The source added that the former first lady was also very involved with her 15-year-old son Barron Trump's private schooling.
Another source noted that the rest of Melania Trump's life would be dictated by her own interest, but she also knows what Donald Trump wants from her.
"Each has come to respect what the other wants and needs," the source said.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
WATCH: Donald Trump's Wife Melania on Their Marriage, His Campaign: Part 2 - From ABC News