Three Times A Charm: A Deep Dive Into Donald Trump's Marriages To Ivana, Marla, And Melania

As of December 2025, Donald J. Trump has been married a total of three times, a matrimonial history that has played out on the public stage for nearly five decades. From the high-flying New York real estate power couple of the 1980s to the current role of the First Lady of the United States, each marriage has been a distinct chapter in the life of the 45th and 47th President, producing five children and a sprawling family dynasty. The question of "how many times has Donald Trump been married" is simple—the answer is three—but the stories behind those unions, the careers of the women involved, and their lasting influence on American culture and politics are anything but. This article delves into the full biography of each wife, the timeline of their relationship, and their roles in the ever-evolving Trump family narrative.

The Three Wives of Donald Trump: A Complete Biographical Profile

Donald Trump’s three marriages have resulted in five children and have spanned from the late 1970s to the present day. His wives have included a Czech-American businesswoman, a former beauty queen and actress, and a Slovenian-American former model who became the First Lady of the United States.

Ivana Trump (First Wife)

• Full Name: Ivana Marie Trump (née Zelnickova)
• Born: February 20, 1949, in Zlín, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic)
• Marriage Date: April 7, 1977
• Divorce Date: 1990
• Children: Donald Trump Jr. (born 1977), Ivanka Trump (born 1981), Eric Trump (born 1984)
• Key Career/Role: Vice President of Interior Design for the Trump Organization, CEO of the Trump Castle hotel and casino, fashion designer, author, and socialite.
• Current Status: Passed away on July 14, 2022, at the age of 73.

Marla Maples (Second Wife)

• Full Name: Marla Ann Maples
• Born: October 27, 1963, in Cohutta, Georgia, U.S.
• Marriage Date: December 20, 1993
• Divorce Date: 1999
• Children: Tiffany Trump (born 1993)
• Key Career/Role: Actress, television personality, model, singer, public speaker, and wellness advocate.
• Current Status: Active in public speaking, hosting a podcast, and working on wellness-oriented projects and a potential book project as of 2025.

Melania Trump (Third Wife)

• Full Name: Melania Trump (née Knauss, originally Melanija Knavs)
• Born: April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, SR Slovenia, Yugoslavia (now Slovenia)
• Marriage Date: January 22, 2005
• Current Status: Married; currently serving as the First Lady of the United States (as of December 2025).
• Children: Barron Trump (born 2006)
• Key Career/Role: Fashion model, jewelry designer, and First Lady of the United States (2017–2021 and 2025–present).

The First Chapter: Ivana Trump and the Rise of the Trump Empire

The marriage between Donald Trump and Ivana Zelnickova was a defining feature of New York's high society in the 1980s. Their relationship began in 1976, and they married a year later in 1977. Ivana, a former competitive skier and model from Czechoslovakia, quickly became a key partner in the burgeoning Trump Organization. Ivana was not just a socialite; she held significant executive roles, including managing the flagship Trump Tower and later serving as the CEO of the Trump Castle hotel and casino in Atlantic City. She was instrumental in the interior design of several major Trump properties, establishing herself as a formidable businesswoman in her own right. The couple had three children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric—who would all go on to play major roles in their father's business and political careers. The marriage ended in a highly publicized divorce in 1990, a split that dominated tabloid headlines due to the revelation of Donald Trump's affair with Marla Maples. Ivana, however, maintained a close relationship with her ex-husband in the decades that followed. The chapter of Ivana’s life closed tragically on July 14, 2022, when she passed away at her Manhattan home at the age of 73. The New York City Medical Examiner's Office ruled her cause of death as blunt force injuries to the torso, sustained from a fall down a staircase. Her passing marked the end of an era for the Trump family and New York society.

The Second Union: Marla Maples and the Tabloid Spotlight

Marla Maples, an actress and former beauty queen from Georgia, became the second Mrs. Trump. Their relationship began while Donald Trump was still married to Ivana, leading to the sensational tabloid scandal of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The couple married in a lavish ceremony at the Plaza Hotel in New York City in December 1993, shortly after the birth of their daughter, Tiffany Trump. Unlike the long-standing business partnership with Ivana, the marriage to Marla Maples was relatively short-lived, lasting only six years before their divorce was finalized in 1999. Since her divorce, Marla Maples has maintained a career in the entertainment and wellness industries. As of 2025, she has focused on public speaking, hosting a podcast, and promoting a holistic lifestyle, often discussing her spiritual outlook. Her daughter, Tiffany Trump, has remained in the public eye, particularly during her father's political campaigns.

The Current Chapter: Melania Trump and the Role of First Lady

Donald Trump’s third and current marriage is to Melania Knauss, a Slovenian-American former model. They met at a New York Fashion Week party in 1998, while Trump was separated from Marla Maples. The couple married on January 22, 2005, in a highly publicized ceremony at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, followed by a reception at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. Their son, Barron Trump, was born in 2006. Melania Trump became the First Lady of the United States in January 2017, a role she held until January 2021. Following their departure from the White House, she largely stayed out of the public view. However, with Donald Trump's successful 2024 presidential campaign, Melania Trump has returned to the White House to serve as First Lady once again as of 2025. Her return and public activities, including announcing the 2025 White House Christmas Theme, continue to draw significant media attention, making hers the longest-running marriage for Donald Trump to date.

The Legacy of the Three Marriages: Children and Topical Authority

The three marriages are intrinsically linked by the five children they produced, who form the core of the Trump family's political and business entities. The children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, and Barron—have each played a visible role in their father's public life, creating a powerful political and media dynasty. The story of Donald Trump's marital life is a chronological narrative of his career:

• Ivana Trump: The partner during the aggressive, high-stakes New York real estate boom of the 1980s, establishing the Trump brand.
• Marla Maples: The relationship that defined the tabloid era of the early 1990s, showcasing the transition from real estate mogul to media personality.
• Melania Trump: The wife who transitioned with him into the highest office in the nation, defining his political era.

In summary, Donald Trump has been married three times, each union a significant cultural and political event. The detailed lives and careers of Ivana, Marla, and Melania Trump provide a fascinating look not just into the former President's personal life, but into the evolution of the Trump brand over the last half-century.