Melania Trump’s Closest Confidante Isn’t a Celebrity – But You Might Still Recognize Her
You’d be surprised who she trusts the most! Unlike Jill Biden or Michelle Obama, Melania Trump has always kept her circle tight and her personal life private. While she’s rarely seen in public with friends or familiar faces, there is one person who’s always been by her side — and it’s someone very close to home.
That person is Melania’s older sister, Ines Knauss.
Many know Melania as the elegant and quiet former First Lady of the United States, married to businessman and ex-president Donald Trump. But not many are aware of her strong bond with her sister, which has lasted since their childhood in Slovenia.
Melania and Ines grew up in the small town of Sevnica after being born in Novo Mesto. Their father, Viktor, was a car mechanic and chauffeur, while their mother, Amalija, worked in a factory as a pattern maker. They may not have had luxury, but they had a loving and creative family environment.
“We had a beautiful childhood,” Melania once shared, adding that her parents taught her and Ines to value education, dedication, and family.
Their mom used to make their clothes by hand, often with Melania adding her own designs. This early exposure to fashion played a big part in shaping both sisters’ interests.
As teenagers, they traveled with their parents to places like France and Italy. Their family still owns their home in Slovenia and visits occasionally, even though they now live in the United States.
At just 16, Melania was noticed by a photographer while leaving a fashion show, which led her down the path of modeling. She later dropped out of the University of Ljubljana to pursue this dream full-time. Within a year, she signed with an agency in Milan.
Unlike many models, Melania wasn’t into the party lifestyle. She focused on work and often went straight home after shoots. Her sister Ines, who had dreams of becoming a fashion designer, joined her along the way.
A photographer who worked with them described Ines as sweet and polite, very different from the usual fashion crowd. She didn’t have connections, but she had determination.
When Melania moved to the U.S. with help from a businessman named Paolo Zampolli, Ines went with her for support. It was during a New York Fashion Week event in 1998 that Melania met Donald Trump. Although he was on a date, he was immediately drawn to her.
Melania didn’t make it easy for him. She refused to give him her number and instead asked for his — setting the tone from the start. “I didn’t want to be just another name in his phone,” she said.
Their relationship grew from there, and in 2005, they married. At the wedding, Ines stood beside Melania as her maid of honor.
Over the years, Ines has stayed out of the spotlight. She reportedly lives in a Trump-owned apartment on the Upper East Side, just a few blocks from Melania’s residence in Trump Tower. She once lived in the same building as Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.
A Palm Beach philanthropist who met Ines at a charity event described her as “kind and creative,” noting how close the sisters are.
Melania has occasionally posted her sister’s artwork online, revealing that Ines is a talented illustrator. According to a fashion designer who knows them, the sisters are like best friends. When Melania gave birth to Barron, it was Ines she leaned on the most — not the staff.
“She had help,” the designer said, “but it was Ines she trusted the most.”
While Melania remains private and rarely shares personal moments, it’s clear her sister Ines holds a special place in her heart — not just as family, but as her most trusted friend.
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