Inside the Homes Melania Trump Lived in Before Becoming Donald Trumps Wife, From Slovenia to Paris and New York City

Melania Trump’s earlier residences provide an interesting glimpse into her life before she became Donald Trump’s spouse, with insights from her former roommate in Paris.

Born on April 26, 1970, in Slovenia, Melania Trump relocated to New York City in 1996, well ahead of her marriage to Donald Trump. Her early experiences were filled with a variety of environments, and a look at her past homes reveals some surprising architectural details.

Our journey begins in Sevnica, Slovenia, where Melania spent her childhood with a father who sold vehicles and a mother working at a textile factory. Although the childhood apartment complex may seem humble, its striking balconies are certainly deserving of attention.

The building, featuring a light beige exterior, showcases cheerful ochre-orange panels that run along the windows and balconies. A quiet residential area adorned in vibrant hues suggests that someone had a flair for impactful entryways.

The multistory structure is accented by rows of white-framed windows, all topped with a gently sloped dark-roofed finish. These balconies disrupt the otherwise orderly design, adding a touch of character that enriches the visual appeal.

Some balconies extend outward, enclosed by slender metal railings, while others feature partially enclosed orange-painted sections. Observing closely reveals how the varied shapes contribute to a more nuanced profile than what the simple exterior might suggest.

At ground level, the building is flanked by neatly trimmed hedges, lawns, parked vehicles, and towering trees. Although presidential opulence was far from reality at this time, this ordinary childhood residence holds a special place in Melania’s family history.

The Family Home: An Architectural Statement

In contrast, the family home in Sevnica exudes a different ambiance. With its broad windows and pronounced dark trim, this two-story, split-level house knows how to enhance its best angles.

The property showcases white stucco walls lined with charcoal wood, and the gently sloping roofs contribute to its mid-century aesthetic. The upper windows, described as generous, help bathe the interior in natural light.

Large glass panes with roller blinds adorn the living level, while hedges soften the balcony’s edges. The sleek dark railings ensure the facade remains polished, even with the surrounding greenery attempting to draw focus.

Beneath, a recessed garage is positioned next to an entrance featuring elegant dark wood double doors that include glass panels. The property sits on a gentle slope, supported by a curved stone wall that retains the lawn, leading to a paved driveway winding towards the entrance.

The environment surrounding the house also presents compelling reasons to set aside the camera. Nearby, Karolina Roštohar’s excursion farm offers homemade wine and award-winning žganci, making a culinary adventure much more inviting than merely an architectural stroll.

Located at an altitude of 259 meters in Selce nad Blanco, this 14-hectare farm lies along the Bizeljsko and Sremič Wine Road and was one of the first farms in the Posavje region to produce its own dry-cured meats.

Their products have been featured at various events across Slovenia, including in the visitors’ area beneath the massive ski jump in Planica. Visitors can also explore four waterfalls concealed beneath the Bohorje hills or check out the lime-burning furnaces known as apnenince, provided they haven’t decided to linger over lunch.

School Days Came Before the Runway

Long before Melania stepped into the world of fashion, she was simply a student on her way to school. The entrance of her primary school boasts the name ‘OSNOVNA ŠOLA SAVA KLADNIKA SEVNICA’ prominently displayed in dark lettering, making it easy to identify.

This two-story establishment features white upper panels complemented by terracotta-orange accents around its recessed entrance, demonstrating that Sevnica was not shy about adding a touch of charm to its functional buildings.

Expansive windows framed in dark brown define both levels, and horizontal blinds are visible inside. The wide concrete steps lead up to the entrance walkway, bordered by teal-green metal railings.

The grounds are shaded by mature trees, and scattered autumn leaves cover the slopes and paths in the photographs. This seemingly ordinary school setting makes its connection to a future first lady all the more fascinating.

These steps preceded some much grander entrances. In 1985, Melania departed Sevnica for Ljubljana, where a new residence and a more vibrant social scene awaited.

Ljubljana: A New Chapter with a Fashionable Twist

Melania’s transition to Slovenia’s capital took her along narrow roads next to the Sava River, passing through coal-mining towns. There, she attended the Secondary School of Design and Photography, which is set within a scenic Renaissance-style monastery. Even the journey to class came with a sense of visual elegance.

According to Milano, she lived in an apartment purchased by her father, Viktor Knavs, some years earlier on the outskirts of the city. Viktor also operated a bicycle and car-parts shop nearby.

The building superintendent, Joze Vuk, who resided on the same floor, remembered an argument over the property, as Viktor was displeased that after acquiring his unit, the government designated some other apartments as rentals for construction workers.

During this time, Melania and her older sister, Ines Knavs, garnered attention for their beauty and style. They made it a point to wear makeup whenever they left the apartment, indicating that even a quick outing warranted some effort.

At school, Melania preferred the company of fellow pop music enthusiasts who would gather at the Horse’s Tail bar near the Triple Bridge, as they shared a taste for The Cure and Metallica, contrasting with her usual circle.

The University of Ljubljana building that appears in photographs presents a much grander vision of the city. Its symmetrical Neo-Renaissance facade rises from a textured gray stone base, with arched doorways opening onto Congress Square.

Above, the elaborate mansard roof is adorned with dormer windows and decorative spires around a tiered copper dome. Gilded statues and classical reliefs complete the impressive roofline, emphasizing the building’s aesthetic richness.

Melania’s Paris Experience with a Roommate

Next, we arrive in Paris, where the apartment Melania lived in was notably close to Notre Dame Cathedral.

In the mid-1990s, she shared this space with Victoria Silvstedt, a model known for her work with Playboy. Two aspiring models starting their careers in Paris sounds like a backdrop for glamorous adventures, but there’s more to the story.

Victoria shared in a 2016 WWD interview that they cohabited for a year. While Melania worked with Marilyn Gauthier, Victoria was with Metropolitan.

“We were just starting out together,” Victoria reminisced. “In the early stages of your career, you would rush to 12 castings daily with your portfolio, vying against hundreds of girls at each audition.”

The reality of attending twelve castings daily makes the thought of relaxing in their apartment seem far more appealing than any imagined glamorous nights out.

“We basically spent our days on the Métro, underground,” Victoria continued. “This was before the era of cell phones. We were in a foreign country without knowing the language.”

Their shared living situation offered some comfort. “It’s challenging to move in with a stranger from different countries, but we got along really well,” Victoria stated.

Regarding Melania’s interest in social outings, her former roommate noted, “She was never one to go out for parties. She was focused and serious about her profession.”

This perspective certainly shifts the narrative of a bustling Paris party life. Victoria later mentioned they crossed paths a few times in New York, where Melania would soon reside in a far more prominent location.

A Glamorous New York Life

Melania’s first known apartment in New York was situated at Zeckendorf Towers, adjacent to Union Square Park. If you’re in search of a building that’s hard to miss, this complex has four compelling features.

The development comprises four residential towers, each 29 stories tall, adorned with reddish-orange brick exteriors and uniformly framed dark windows. The upper levels display rounded arches beneath prominent pyramidal roofs.

In the foreground, the historic Consolidated Edison Building offers a contrasting pale limestone clock tower and a tiered belfry, while Union Square showcases a bronze equestrian statue of George Washington, further enriching the skyline.

New York also introduced the often tedious task of immigration paperwork. During a December 2023 appearance at the National Archives, Melania reflected on her experience attaining her immigration status during her modeling career.

Her attorney informed the BBC that she initially arrived on a tourist visa, later obtaining work-related visas before finally achieving the EB-1 visa. According to her biography, Melania became a U.S. citizen in 2006, a decade after moving to New York.

“I remember feeling an immense pride and sense of belonging after I recited the U.S. oath of allegiance, as the road to citizenship is challenging,” she expressed.

Currently, the White House serves as Melania Trump’s residence, with her family’s real estate portfolio extending well beyond Washington. Nevertheless, her earlier homes, including the vibrant orange balconies and that shared apartment in Paris, hold a captivating charm that even the iconic front door of the White House cannot overshadow.