Before Melania: Donald Trump's ex-wives examined

Believe it or not, Melania isn’t President Donald Trump’s first wife.

(Kidding; of course you can believe that.)

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Having already been under heavy limelight since way before he became President, Trump’s marriages – of which he had two before his most recent to Melania – have always received buckets of publicity.

It seems third time's a charm for Trump and his marriages. Photo: Getty
It seems third time's a charm for Trump and his marriages. Photo: Getty

After all, let’s not forget that before he was running one of the world’s largest economic and military powers, he was well known as a business tycoon and television personality.

And his weddings were grandiose enough to match.

Wife#1: Ivana Zelníčková, 1977-1992

Trump married Zelníčková, a Czech model, after the pair met at a New York City fashion show in 1976.

Trump and his first wife Ivana were married for 15 years. Photo: Getty
Trump and his first wife Ivana were married for 15 years. Photo: Getty

Marrying soon after in 1977, they had three children who are very much under the spotlight today including Donald Junior that same year, Ivanka and Eric.

Though after 15 years of marriage, the pair divorced in 1992 after Trump had an affair with actress Marla Maples – much to the glee of the tabloids which heavily publicised the relationship.

The couple had three children together. Photo: Getty
The couple had three children together. Photo: Getty

In an interview with New York Post, Zelníčková said that Maples once asked if she could publicly apologise to her in the DailyMail, but she rejected the offer: “Why should I? She broke my marriage.”

Wife #2:Marla Maples, 1993-1999

Maples soon gave birth to Trump’s less-talked-about child, Tiffany, in 1993 and the two were married two months afterwards.

Trump then moved wed actress Marla, who was said to have caused his split with Ivana. Photo: Getty
Trump then moved wed actress Marla, who was said to have caused his split with Ivana. Photo: Getty

At the time, the high-profile marriage was heavily covered by the media which was hardly surprising given it hosted the likes of Rosie O’ Donnell and OJ Simpson.

But what Maples has described as a “combative” relationship didn’t last long and four years later they publicly separated, divorcing in 1999.

Trump and Marla had a daughter Tiffany together. Photo: Getty
Trump and Marla had a daughter Tiffany together. Photo: Getty

Maples then moved to California to raise Tiffany alone.

Wife #3: Melania Trump née Knauss, 2005-current

Donald and Melania Trump famously met when Donald was on a date with another woman – cosmetics heiress Celina Midelfart – in 1998.

The President is said to have met his third wife at a fashion party - while he was with someone else. Photo: Getty
The President is said to have met his third wife at a fashion party - while he was with someone else. Photo: Getty

But upon spying Melania, the moment Midelfart was in the bathroom he approached Melania and asked for her number.

Melania refused and took his number instead.

The rest is history: they married in 2005, and a year later, Melania gave birth to their son Barron.

The couple now live in the White House with their 12-year-old Barron. Photo: Getty
The couple now live in the White House with their 12-year-old Barron. Photo: Getty

Since the presidential race, the happiness of their marriage – and especially Melania’s happiness – has come under scrutiny.

But unless groundbreaking proof emerges, we’ll be left guessing for now.

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