Melania Trump, the former First Lady of the United States, is widely known for her career in modeling long before she stepped into the global spotlight through her marriage to Donald Trump. But how exactly did she become a model? Was it all luck, or did she have to go through rigorous castings like other aspiring models?
Melania's modeling journey began in her homeland, Slovenia. Born Melanija Knavs in 1970 in the town of Sevnica, she was exposed to fashion early on, thanks in part to her mother, who worked in the fashion industry. At the age of 16, she began posing for fashion photographer Stane Jerko, who discovered her by chance. This encounter marked the beginning of her modeling portfolio — but it wasn’t entirely luck. Jerko spotted Melania’s potential during a fashion show and invited her for a professional photo shoot. That initial session led to her signing with a modeling agency in Ljubljana.
By 18, Melania was working with a modeling agency and entered the University of Ljubljana to study architecture and design. However, her passion and growing success in modeling soon took precedence. She dropped out of university to pursue modeling full-time.
She moved on to Milan and Paris, two of the top fashion capitals of the world. In these competitive environments, Melania did go through numerous castings and test shoots, just like most aspiring models. She had to work her way up through traditional industry channels — attending go-sees, building her portfolio, and working with various designers and photographers.
Melania’s big break came when she moved to New York City in 1996. She was signed to major modeling agencies, including Irene Marie Models and Trump Model Management. In New York, she appeared in high-profile magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, and Vanity Fair. Again, she competed with thousands of models and faced a competitive casting environment, proving that luck alone wouldn’t have taken her this far.
While Melania did have to go through traditional castings and build her career step by step, it's undeniable that timing and connections also played a role. Her meeting with Donald Trump at a fashion event in 1998 elevated her visibility significantly. Yet, she had already established herself as a professional model in Europe and the U.S. before that meeting.
Melania Trump's rise in the modeling world was not just a stroke of luck. It was a combination of early discovery, consistent effort, castings, rejections, and determination. While some fortunate encounters helped her gain exposure, her success was built on years of professional work, resilience, and navigating the demanding world of international modeling.
