Melania attended the University of Ljubljana to study architecture and design, but she left after just one year to relocate to Milan. Melania Knavs started modeling at the age of 16, mostly in Paris and Milan, where she achieved great success. Magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Sports Illustrated featured her work. In addition, Melania is the first First Lady to appear in magazines in a nude photo.

Melania is one of the tallest First Ladies in American history, standing at 180 cm (5’11”). She has the same title as Eleanor Roosevelt and Michelle Obama.

6. Modeling Career Over College
Melania briefly studied architecture at the University of Ljubljana before leaving to pursue modeling in Milan. She found success in Paris and Milan, appearing in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Sports Illustrated, becoming the first First Lady to pose nude in a magazine.

7. One of the Tallest First Ladies
At 5’11”, Melania shares the title of tallest First Lady with Eleanor Roosevelt and Michelle Obama.

8. A Rare Catholic First Lady
Melania is only the second Catholic First Lady in U.S. history, after Jacqueline Kennedy.

9. Delayed Move to the White House
She waited five months after Trump’s 2017 inauguration to move to the White House, staying in New York until their son Barron finished fifth grade.

10. Her Own Cryptocurrency
In 2025, Melania launched her own crypto token, the $Melania coin, following the debut of Trump’s $Trump coin.