Melania Trump Shares the Surprising Promise She Made to Donald Trump Despite Their 24-Year Age Gap

True love often overlooks differences, as it’s seen as the ultimate symbol of perfection. A good example of this is the relationship between Donald Trump, the 47th president, and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump. Despite a 24-year age gap, the couple has been together for almost 20 years. Before diving into Melania’s thoughts on their age difference, let’s look back at how they first met.

In 1998, Donald Trump, then 53, had separated from his second wife, Marla Maples, with whom he shares a daughter. Melania, a model from Slovenia, met Trump at a New York party. Their meeting was a bit awkward because Trump was at the event with another date. When he asked for her phone number, Melania didn’t give it to him. Instead, she asked for his number. Intrigued by his energy, she later reached out, and the two began dating.

Although they had a brief breakup, the couple got engaged in 2004 and married in 2005 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. In 2006, they welcomed their son, Barron Trump, who will turn 19 in 2025. Barron has gained public attention since his father’s inauguration. The age gap between Donald and Melania never seemed to bother them, and Melania recently spoke about it after Trump’s January 20, 2025, inauguration.

According to *Tyla*, a video from 1999 resurfaced on social media, showing an interview with Melania a year after meeting Trump. In the clip, Melania, then 29 and using her maiden name, Melania Knauss, shared that she “pictured” herself as a future First Lady.

When asked by ABC News correspondent Don Dahler if she imagined being First Lady, Melania responded, “Yes, I will be very traditional, like Jackie Kennedy. I will support him and take on social responsibilities.” Dahler then pointed out that being First Lady might require her to give up her modeling career. Melania agreed, saying she’d be fine stepping away from modeling to support her husband.

When asked if people assumed she was with Trump because of his wealth, Melania replied, “People who say that don’t know me. You can’t find comfort in material things—like a beautiful apartment, cars, or planes. You can feel very empty.”

Though she once seemed uncomfortable with media attention, Melania has since built a strong reputation as a powerful and influential First Lady. She has also maintained good relationships with Trump’s children and ex-wives, further solidifying her place in their blended family.