The Three Wives Of Donald Trump: A Deep Dive Into His Marital History, Divorce Settlements, And Current Status
Donald Trump, the 45th and potentially 47th President of the United States, has had one of the most publicly scrutinized personal lives of any modern political figure. As of December 22, 2025, the definitive answer to "how many wives has Trump had" is three, each woman playing a pivotal role in his rise from a New York real estate mogul to a global political icon.
This comprehensive article provides a fresh, updated look at the three women who married Donald Trump—Ivana, Marla, and Melania—detailing their biographies, the duration of their marriages, the children they share, and the current status of each relationship, including the explosive details of the two high-profile divorces.
The Complete Biography and Profile of Donald Trump's Wives
Donald Trump has been married three times and divorced twice, a unique marital history for a US President. His wives are Ivana Trump, Marla Maples, and Melania Trump. The three women hail from different backgrounds, but each became a central figure in the Trump empire.
- First Wife: Ivana Marie Trump (née Zelníčková)
- Born: February 20, 1949, in Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia (now Zlín, Czech Republic).
- Career: Businesswoman, socialite, fashion designer, author, and former model. She was instrumental in managing key Trump properties, including the Trump Tower and the Trump Taj Mahal casino. She was also a former ski instructor.
- Marriage Dates: 1977–1990 (13 years).
- Children: Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump.
- Current Status: Ivana tragically passed away in July 2022 at the age of 73.
- Second Wife: Marla Ann Maples
- Born: October 27, 1963, in Cohutta, Georgia, USA.
- Career: American actress, television personality, model, singer, and presenter. She has appeared in films and on TV shows like *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* and competed on *Dancing with the Stars*.
- Marriage Dates: 1993–1999 (6 years).
- Children: Tiffany Trump.
- Current Status: She remains active in the entertainment industry and social causes, often maintaining a lower public profile than her ex-husband.
- Third (Current) Wife: Melania Trump (née Knauss)
- Born: April 26, 1970, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia).
- Career: Former fashion model who worked with major agencies in Milan and Paris before moving to New York in 1996. She served as the First Lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
- Marriage Dates: January 22, 2005–Present (Over 20 years, his longest marriage).
- Children: Barron Trump.
- Current Status: As of late 2024 and 2025, she has seen a resurgence in the public eye, notably executive producing a documentary offering a rare glimpse into her life and preparing for a potential return to the role of First Lady.
The High-Stakes Divorces: Ivana and Marla's Settlements
The two divorces that ended Donald Trump’s first two marriages were tabloid fodder for years, revealing the high financial stakes and dramatic personal conflicts inherent in separating from a real estate billionaire. The details of the settlements remain a key part of his public narrative.
The divorce from his first wife, Ivana, was particularly explosive. The separation, which was triggered by Trump’s affair with Marla Maples, dominated New York City's tabloid dailies for 11 days in a row.
Ivana initially challenged a prenuptial agreement that reportedly limited her settlement. After a lengthy and public battle, she ultimately secured a substantial financial package. The reported settlement included a payment of $14 million in cash, a large apartment in Manhattan, and an estate in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Furthermore, the settlement included $650,000 annually to care for their three children: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. This financial foundation helped Ivana launch her own successful career as a businesswoman and author, cementing her status as a power figure in her own right.
In contrast, the divorce from Marla Maples was less financially lucrative for the second Mrs. Trump. Their marriage lasted only six years, and the divorce was finalized in 1999. Maples reportedly received a settlement of $1.5 million, a significantly smaller figure than Ivana’s.
The differences in the settlements highlight the evolution of Trump’s prenuptial agreements over time and the varying leverage each wife held during the separation process. Marla Maples has since focused on her acting, singing, and humanitarian work, maintaining a close relationship with their daughter, Tiffany Trump.
Melania Trump: The Longest Marriage and First Lady Role
Donald Trump’s current marriage to Melania Knauss is his longest to date, having surpassed the 13 years he spent married to Ivana. The couple met at a party in 1998 and married in a lavish, high-profile ceremony on January 22, 2005.
The wedding itself was a spectacle of wealth and celebrity. The ceremony took place at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, with the reception held at Trump's opulent Mar-a-Lago estate. The event was reportedly a $2 million affair, featuring a $1.5 million Christian Dior dress worn by Melania and a guest list packed with high-profile figures from business and entertainment.
Melania’s role as the First Lady of the United States (2017–2021) brought her a level of global scrutiny none of Trump’s previous wives had experienced. Her public platform was defined by her "Be Best" initiative, which focused on the well-being of youth and combating cyberbullying.
Following their departure from the White House, Melania maintained a relatively private life. However, recent developments, including the executive production of a documentary filmed in late 2024, have given the public a rare glimpse into her life at Mar-a-Lago and her public engagements. This suggests she is preparing for a more visible role should Donald Trump return to the presidency in 2025.
Family Legacy: Children and Grandchildren
A major unifying element among Donald Trump's three marriages is his large family. He has five children and, as of this update, eleven grandchildren, all of whom are key entities in the extended Trump family and business structure.
- Ivana’s Children: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric are all heavily involved in the Trump Organization and have been central figures in their father’s political campaigns. They are responsible for the majority of the 11 grandchildren.
- Marla’s Child: Tiffany Trump, a Georgetown Law graduate, maintains a close but often less public profile than her half-siblings.
- Melania’s Child: Barron Trump, the youngest, was the first son of a sitting president to live in the White House since John F. Kennedy Jr. He remains a private figure, shielded from the public eye.
In summary, Donald Trump’s marital history is a story of three distinct eras, each marked by a different woman from a unique background—the Czech businesswoman (Ivana), the American actress (Marla), and the Slovenian model turned First Lady (Melania). While the number of wives is three, the influence and legacy of each woman continue to shape the narrative surrounding one of the world’s most famous public figures.
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