The Three Acts Of A Tycoon: How Many Times Has Donald Trump Been Married And Who Are His Wives?

The question of "how many times has Donald Trump been married" is a staple of public curiosity, reflecting the former President's decades in the spotlight as a real estate mogul, television personality, and politician. The definitive answer, as of today, December 19, 2025, is three times, with each marriage marking a distinct and highly publicized chapter in his life, from the New York City social scene of the 1980s to the White House and beyond. His current marriage to Melania Trump is now his longest, a union that has endured for nearly 21 years. Donald Trump's marital history is a narrative of power, media scrutiny, and high-stakes prenuptial agreements, involving three remarkable women who each held the title of Mrs. Trump. This deep dive explores the full biographical details of each wife, the timeline of their relationships, and the lasting legacies of these high-profile unions.

The Complete Biography of Donald Trump's Three Wives

Donald Trump has been married three times and is the father of five children. Each of his wives—Ivana, Marla, and Melania—has a unique background and a distinct story of her time married to the 45th and 47th President of the United States.

• Wife 1: Ivana Trump (née Ivana Zelníčková)
  • Born: February 20, 1949, in Zlín, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic).
  • Marriage Date: April 7, 1977.
  • Divorce Date: December 11, 1990.
  • Duration: Approximately 13 years.
  • Children: Donald Trump Jr. (born 1977), Ivanka Trump (born 1981), and Eric Trump (born 1984).
• Wife 2: Marla Maples (née Marla Ann Maples)
  • Born: October 27, 1963, in Cohutta, Georgia, USA.
  • Marriage Date: December 20, 1993.
  • Divorce Date: June 8, 1999.
  • Duration: Approximately 5.5 years.
  • Child: Tiffany Trump (born 1993).
• Wife 3: Melania Trump (née Melanija Knavs)
  • Born: April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia).
  • Marriage Date: January 22, 2005.
  • Status: Currently married (as of December 19, 2025).
  • Duration: Nearly 21 years.
  • Child: Barron Trump (born 2006).

Act I: The Power Couple of the 1980s—Ivana Trump

The first marriage was a true New York power partnership. Donald Trump met Ivana Zelníčková, a Czechoslovakian model and former competitive skier, in 1976. They married in 1977 in a lavish ceremony that immediately established them as darlings of the Manhattan social elite. Ivana was not merely a ceremonial wife; she became an integral part of the nascent Trump empire. She held executive positions, including Vice President of Interior Design for the Trump Organization and manager of the flagship Trump Castle hotel and casino in Atlantic City. Her business acumen and glamorous style helped define the Trump brand during the 1980s boom. The couple had three children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric—who would later become central figures in both the Trump Organization and his political career.

The Public Divorce and the $14 Million Settlement

The marriage famously ended in a blaze of tabloid headlines in 1990, fueled by Donald Trump’s affair with actress and model Marla Maples. The resulting divorce was one of the most expensive and publicly contested of its time. Ultimately, Ivana and Donald reached a settlement that included an estimated $14 million in cash, a large apartment in Trump Tower, and the use of the couple's Greenwich, Connecticut, mansion. She also received $650,000 annually for child support for their three children. Despite the acrimony of the divorce proceedings, the two maintained a civil, and at times friendly, relationship for decades until Ivana's death in 2022.

Act II: The Short-Lived Hollywood Romance—Marla Maples

Marla Maples' entrance into Donald Trump's life was the catalyst for the end of his first marriage. The affair became public in 1990, creating a media frenzy that dominated New York tabloids. The couple married on December 20, 1993, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, just two months after the birth of their daughter, Tiffany Trump. The wedding was a high-profile event with 1,000 guests, but the marriage itself was short-lived, lasting only about five and a half years.

The Strict Prenuptial Agreement

The divorce from Marla Maples, finalized in 1999, highlighted the importance of prenuptial agreements in the Trump world. Details of the prenup were later revealed, showing a strict financial arrangement. * The Stipulation: The agreement reportedly stipulated that Marla would receive $1 million if the couple separated within five years. * Housing Allowance: An additional $1 million was agreed upon for her to purchase a house. * Child Support: Marla also received child support for Tiffany Trump, who she primarily raised in California after the divorce. The relatively small settlement compared to the wealth of the real estate mogul was widely reported and discussed, showcasing the "draconian" nature of the agreement.

Act III: The First Lady and Longest Marriage—Melania Trump

Donald Trump’s third and current marriage is to Melania Trump (née Knauss), a Slovenian model. They first met at a party in New York City in 1998, while Trump was separated from Marla Maples. They married on January 22, 2005, in a spectacular, multi-million dollar ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Mar-a-Lago Wedding and the Presidential Era

The wedding ceremony was held at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, followed by a famously lavish reception at the Donald J. Trump Grand Ballroom at his Mar-a-Lago resort. The guest list was a who's who of politics, business, and entertainment, including Bill and Hillary Clinton. Melania wore a custom Christian Dior gown that reportedly cost over $100,000. The couple welcomed their son, Barron Trump, in 2006. The marriage took on a new dimension when Donald Trump won the 2016 Presidential election, making Melania the second foreign-born First Lady in U.S. history, after Louisa Adams. As of December 2025, their marriage has spanned nearly 21 years, officially making it Donald Trump’s longest marriage. The longevity of this union, which has weathered a presidential campaign, a full term in the White House, and subsequent political and legal battles, continues to be a subject of intense public and media focus.

Detail Author:

• Name : Dr. Colten Dickens Jr.
• Username : vladimir81
• Email : fhilpert@hansen.biz
• Birthdate : 1991-11-09
• Address : 78154 Raphaelle Rapid Suite 858 Brownbury, KY 58935
• Phone : +14805595899
• Company : Volkman, Mueller and Larkin
• Job : Recreation Worker
• Bio : Atque molestiae ullam nemo. Officiis ut voluptas provident eaque sint. Placeat maxime vel consequuntur itaque id. Recusandae quasi numquam et laborum illum.

Socials

linkedin:

• url : https://linkedin.com/in/jettie9779
• username : jettie9779
• bio : Et sed consectetur reiciendis sequi qui velit.
• followers : 5177
• following : 1271

twitter:

• url : https://twitter.com/jettie_xx
• username : jettie_xx
• bio : Dolores ut sapiente repellat veritatis sit. Eius repudiandae beatae architecto nemo. Unde nihil dolor blanditiis pariatur modi aut tempora.
• followers : 3597
• following : 2057

tiktok:

• url : https://tiktok.com/@jettie_official
• username : jettie_official
• bio : Esse eum in quia consequatur. Rerum mollitia beatae ut temporibus ut pariatur.
• followers : 1255
• following : 1974

facebook:

• url : https://facebook.com/jettie_official
• username : jettie_official
• bio : Totam praesentium possimus natus dolor ex est maiores.
• followers : 4159
• following : 2073

instagram:

• url : https://instagram.com/pacocha1988
• username : pacocha1988
• bio : Et officiis eligendi sit. Veniam est voluptate eum blanditiis iure quidem voluptatem.
• followers : 1340
• following : 545