Melania Trump may now be known as one of America’s most elegant and private First Ladies, but her story began far from luxury. Born Melanija Knavs in Sevnica, Slovenia, she grew up in a modest Communist-era apartment with her sister, Ines. Her early life was built on discipline, creativity, and quiet ambition. Friends remember Melania as an excellent and well-mannered student. She loved geography and art, often crafting her own bracelets and decorating schoolbooks with perfume ads — small hints of the fashion world she would one day enter.

Music-wise, she preferred pop and politely avoided the rock bands popular among her classmates. Style was already part of Melania’s identity. Her mother, Amalija, worked in a children’s clothing factory and often sewed outfits based on Melania’s own sketches. Her father, Viktor, dressed formally and stood out in their working-class neighborhood. The family’s polished appearance left a strong impression on those around them.

Her beauty, too, was unforgettable. One neighbor described her eyes as something “special, almost animal-like.” At age 15, photographer Stane Jerko noticed her potential. Though initially focused on school, she eventually agreed to model — a decision that quietly set her on the path toward an international career.

Those who knew her say she was always destined for more. Sevnica felt too small for her dreams, and she longed to move beyond it. She eventually did — from Slovenia to the global fashion stage, and later to the White House. Still, Melania says she cherishes her roots: “I love my childhood. It was a beautiful childhood.”