Melania Trump\u2019s ambitions surfaced early\u2014too big for the small town of Sevnica to contain. A chance meeting soon catapulted her onto international runways. Years later, she would leave modeling behind for a very different public role.<\/p>\n
Today, renewed interest surrounds her early modeling photos. Widely shared online, the images spark comparisons between her past and present appearances.<\/p>\n
Growing Up in Sevnica<\/p>\n
Born Melanija Knavs on April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, she grew up in Sevnica, Yugoslavia. The town, lined with factory chimneys and concrete apartment blocks, stood far from the world she would later enter.<\/p>\n
Melania lived in one of those blocks, next to the bright primary school she attended. Her father, Viktor Knavs, worked as a car dealer and once drove for a mayor and a textile factory director. Her mother, Amalija, created patterns for a children\u2019s clothing company.<\/p>\n
Donald Trump attends the New York Knicks game with Melania Trump on March 12, 1999 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Quiet, Polite, and Driven<\/p>\n
Classmates described Melania as polite, disciplined, and focused. Her friend and future headmistress, Mirjana Jelancic, recalled her as an \u201cexcellent student\u201d with \u201cvery decent manners.\u201d She rarely raised her voice or used harsh words.<\/p>\n
Even then, Melania gravitated toward fashion. She often redesigned old clothes and dreamed of becoming a designer. Jelancic remarked, \u201cSevnica was too small for her.\u201d Melania often spoke of moving beyond it.<\/p>\n
A Photographer\u2019s Discovery<\/p>\n
At 16, Melania caught the attention of Slovenian photographer Stane Jerko while waiting for a friend in Ljubljana\u2019s Festival Hall. It was January 1987. Jerko, impressed by her look, asked her to model.<\/p>\n
During their first session, Melania brought her own clothes. Though shy, she followed his directions. Soon, she returned for another shoot\u2014this time modeling factory-made outfits. She quickly grew more confident and curious about photography\u2019s technical side. Her modeling career had begun.<\/p>\n
Modeling in Europe and Beyond<\/p>\n
After finishing school, she modeled in Milan and Paris. She built a portfolio and worked across Europe while mastering English, German, French, Italian, Slovenian, and Serbo-Croatian.<\/p>\n
Using the name Melania Knauss, she modeled through the \u201990s. In 1996, she moved to New York, determined to break into the American fashion scene.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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