Very discreet during the mandate of her husband Donald Trump, Melania Trump has made only rare appearances since she left the White House. The former model was seen at his side on March 19 as he left the Palm Beach polling station for the Florida presidential primary. She had not been seen in public since the funeral of her mother Amalija Knavs on January 18. Rebelote on April 6: the sublime brunette stood again with the Republican for the launch of a fundraiser in order to help finance her husband's presidential campaign. Throughout this third campaign, Barron's mother stayed out of the spotlight. It was not until a meeting in New York, on October 27, that the former First Lady climbed onto the Madison Square Garden stage and officially showed her support for her husband. Dressed in a zebra print dress, Melania Trump then delivered a four-minute speech.
A return which was surprising, given the difficult period experienced by the former occupant of the White House due to the legal proceedings to which Donald Trump has been subject since 2020. Furthermore, since he was elected president in 2017, rumors about their relationship are rife… Has divorce occurred to Melania Trump in recent years? A month before the American presidential election, the woman who was born in what is now Slovenia in 1970 surprised by publishing her memoirs entitled Melania while announcing that he wanted to lift the veil on “his truth“. The book is an opportunity to look back on her meeting with her husband as well as her marriage. Ivanka Trump's mother-in-law certainly did not imagine experiencing such a destiny by marrying the real estate mogul on January 22 2005… At that time, all that mattered was offering a sumptuous reception to their prestigious guests, before whom she would appear in a haute couture dress, worthy of being exhibited in a museum.
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Melania Trump's wedding dress weighs more than 22 kilos!
Back to the year 2005. Melania Knauss, her maiden name, is 34 years old. She has been engaged for a year to the then 48-year-old businessman, and their relationship, which began in 1998, fascinated thousands of viewers in The Apprentice. The big day has arrived: she will finally become the third Mrs. Trump. The wedding took place at Bethesda by The Sea Church in Palm Beach. Melania arrives on her father's arm in a breathtaking John Galliano for Dior dress, estimated at between $100,000 and $200,000, according to reports Fashion Network at the time. 90 meters of white satin, 1,550 crystals, flattering bodice, mermaid skirt, hand-embroidered spirals, imperial train… the piece is like the British designer's collections for the French label: majestic and theatrical.
Such a piece of course requires some sacrifices. Starting with her weight, estimated at 22 kilos, which Melania must carry throughout the ceremony. And then there are also the long hours of fitting, necessary for the piece to fit perfectly on its curves. In total, the bride had to do four fittings, each lasting around four hours. But these little inconveniences are worth it: the ex-model finds herself on the cover of Vogue USA magazine in the process, posing with her dress, her wedding ring (worth 1.5 million dollars, which Donald Trump boasts of having obtained at a discount from the British diamond dealer Graff), tulle veil and adornment signed Fred Leighton. The monthly writes in its columns that Melania wanted “a vision of white, gold and diamonds”. The bet paid off.
A second dress for a royal reception
To cover the cost of such a piece, Donald Trump took advantage of offers from several suppliers, who offered him their services free of charge during the reception, just to take advantage of his famous name: “From photos to flowers, from food to jets, from airports to diamonds.” The cake, designed by pastry chef Cedric Barberet, reaches 1.5 m high. Its Grand Manier liqueur-flavored interior with vanilla butter is covered with 3,000 sugar roses. Each table is adorned with white and gold, in a “Versailles” style ballroom decorated with thousands of flowers, which welcomes a total of 500 guests, including Bill and Hilary Clinton. In order to make the most of the party, the bride changes her dress: she reappears before the crowd in a piece designed by Vera Wang, corseted with straps and a V-neckline. Much lighter for twirling in the middle of the runway!
Photo credits: Backgrid USA / Bestimage
