Before Melania Trump became a fashion model and first lady of the United States, she was Melanija Knavs, the Slovenian daughter of a car salesman and a textile factory worker.
Melania is the second first lady born outside the US. The first was John Quincy Adams’ wife, Louisa Catherine Adams, who was born in London. John Adams was president from 1825 to 1829.
Melania’s hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, has become a tourist destination since Donald Trump was first elected US president in November 2016, as people travel to see where the first lady spent her early years.
Melania Trump grew up under communist rule in the former Yugoslavia
Melanija Knavs was born in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, in April 1970. She spent her childhood in Sevnica, a small town 45km (28 miles) away.
-Sevnica is located along the Sava River in central Slovenia. It has a population of 17,611, according to data collected by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia in 2022.
When Melania was born, Slovenia was a communist country ruled by President Josip Tito and known as Yugoslavia. Slovenia became independent in 1991.
Sevnica, Slovenia, has a salami named after Melania
