Melania Trump, widely known as the former First Lady of the United States and wife of Donald Trump, has always maintained a carefully guarded private life, especially when it comes to her deep and lifelong bond with her older sister, Ines Knauss.
Their close relationship began in their hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, where they were raised in a modest yet loving household by their parents, Viktor and Amalija, who instilled strong values of discipline, education, and hard work.
From an early age, Amalija nurtured Melania’s love of fashion by making clothes for her daughters and teaching them to appreciate design, an influence that would shape their futures. At 16, Melania was discovered by Slovenian photographer Stane Jerko, launching her modeling career and leading her to travel internationally and leave university to pursue modeling full-time.
Throughout this transition, Ines remained a steadfast supporter, often accompanying Melania abroad and helping her navigate the demanding fashion world. While Melania embraced the spotlight, Ines chose a more private path focused on art and illustration, known to those who meet her as kind, humble, and creative. Ines’s role in Melania’s life has been significant, symbolized by her standing as maid of honor at Melania’s 2005 wedding to Donald Trump.
Today, Ines reportedly lives in a Trump-owned building in Manhattan, near Melania’s residence, yet she maintains a low profile. Her artistic talents continue to flourish, occasionally shared by Melania on social media. Their sisterly bond remains strong, with Ines supporting Melania during critical moments such as the birth of her son Barron and throughout Donald Trump’s presidency, providing emotional stability amid public scrutiny. Despite shunning fame, Ines has been one of Melania’s most important confidantes, creative inspirations, and pillars of strength. From their beginnings in Slovenia to the global stage, their enduring relationship exemplifies the power of sisterhood, trust, and unwavering support that continues to shape Melania’s private life today.
