Rachael L. Thomas - Melania Trump

CHECKERBOARD BIOGRAPHIES

MELANIA

TRUMP

RACHAEL L. THOMAS

ABDOBOOKS.COM

Published by Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO, PO Box 398166, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439.
Copyright 2020 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in all countries.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
Checkerboard Library is a trademark and logo of Abdo Publishing.

Printed in the United States of America, North Mankato, Minnesota
052019
092019

Design and Production: Mighty Media, Inc.
Editor: Megan Borgert-Spaniol
Cover Photograph: Library of Congress
Interior Photographs: AP Images, pp. 7, 23, 29 (bottom right); Shutterstock Images, pp. 5, 11, 13, 15, 19,
25, 28 (all), 29 (top, bottom left); The White House/Flickr, pp. 9, 18, 21, 27; The White House/Wikimedia
Commons, p. 17

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018966245

Publishers Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Thomas, Rachael L., author.
Title: Melania Trump / by Rachael L. Thomas

Description: Minneapolis, Minnesota : Abdo Publishing, 2020 | Series: Checkerboard biographies |
Includes online resources and index.

Identifiers: ISBN 9781532119408 (lib. bdg.) | ISBN 9781532173868 (ebook.)

Subjects: LCSH: Trump, Melania, 1970- --Juvenile literature. | First ladies (United States)--Biography--
Juvenile literature. | Fashion models--Biography--Juvenile literature. | Women entrepreneurs-
Biography--Juvenile literature.

Classification: DDC 973.933092 [B]--dc23

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

FOREIGN-BORN
FIRST LADY

M elania Trump is best known for her role as First
Lady of the United States alongside her husband,
President Donald Trump. In this role, she became a
well-known political figure. However, Trump is also
known for her previous career in modeling and fashion.

Trump began her career as a fashion model when
she was a teenager in Eastern Europe. She immigrated

to the United States to pursue
opportunities in the industry.
Before becoming First Lady,
Trump worked as a successful
model and fashion designer.

As First Lady, Trump launched
a campaign to promote healthy
lifestyles for children. Her belief
in childrens social and emotional
education has helped people
across America and beyond.

No one values
the freedom and
opportunity of
America more
than me, both as
an independent
woman, and as
someone who
immigrated to
America.

Trump is a private person. As First Lady,
she was known for her quiet manner and
rare public appearances.

CHAPTER 2

INTERNATIONAL
DREAMS

M elanija Knavs was born in what is now the central
European country of Slovenia on April 26, 1970. She
later changed her name to Melania Knauss. While her
birthplace was a town called Novo Mesto, Melania grew
up in the nearby town of Sevnica. She has one older
sister, Ines.

Melanias parents are Amalija and Viktor Knavs. Viktor
traveled as a car dealer. Amalija worked in a textile
factory. She designed patterns for the clothes that were
made at the factory. Melania says her first experience
modeling was at five years old when she modeled the
textile factorys designs.

When Melania was growing up, Slovenia was part
of the communist country Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia
experienced serious political unrest during Melanias
childhood. But Melania was largely shielded from this
upheaval . Her family was well off, and her dreams went

Viktor and Amalija Knavs became US citizens in August 2018.

beyond her home country. Melania had inherited her
mothers interest in fashion. She dreamed of moving
abroad and having a career in fashion and design.

CHAPTER 3

INTERNATIONAL
CONTRACT

A s a teenager, Melania often attended fashion shows.
In 1987, she attended a show in Slovenias capital city,
Ljubljana. There, photographer Stane Jerko caught sight
of her. Jerko asked Melania if she would model for him,
and Melania agreed.

Over the next few years, Melania took on more modeling
jobs. She also concentrated on school. Melania began
studying architecture and design at the University of
Ljubljana. But modeling would soon become her priority .

In 1992, the Slovenian magazine Jana launched the
Look of the Year Contest. The contest aimed to provide
modeling opportunities to Slovenian women. The top three
contestants would win international modeling contracts.

Melania entered the Look of the Year Contest and came
in second place. Her prize was a modeling contract in
Milan, Italy. Melania discontinued her university studies to
move to Milan. She was focused on her goal to become an
international supermodel.

Melanias modeling experience prepared
her for the many photos she would pose
for as First Lady of the United States.

CHAPTER 4

MODEL NEW YORKER

A fter leaving school, Knauss spent the next few
years working as a model in Milan and Paris, France.
By 1996, she had caught the attention of US-based
modeling agent Paolo Zampolli. Knauss moved to
New York City that same year, after being signed by
Zampollis agency, ID Models.

Knauss lived a disciplined life in New York. She didnt
stay out late at parties and night clubs like many others
in her industry. She looked after her body by eating a
healthy diet and exercising. Knauss was serious about
her career and worked hard to maintain it.

In 1998, Knauss attended a party thrown by Zampolli.
Attending the event was businessman Donald Trump.
Knauss and Donald met that night, and Donald asked