Melania Trump is widely recognized as the former First Lady of the United States and the wife of business tycoon Donald Trump, yet she has always been known for keeping her personal life guarded.
This privacy extends to her son, Barron, and especially to her older sister, Ines Knauss—someone who remains virtually unknown to the public, despite being one of the people closest to Melania.
The two sisters grew up in the quiet Slovenian town of Sevnica, where they shared a close-knit upbringing in a modest yet nurturing environment.
Their father, Viktor, worked as a car mechanic and chauffeur, while their mother, Amalija, was employed as a pattern-maker at a clothing factory. Despite their humble beginnings, the family traveled to places like France, Italy, and Germany and instilled strong values in their daughters.
“I had a wonderful childhood with a beautiful family,” Melania once shared. “My parents emphasized the value of education, hard work, and family.”
A Shared Passion for Fashion
From early on, both Melania and Ines were captivated by the world of fashion. Their mother frequently sewed custom outfits for them, nurturing their interest.
Eventually, Melania began designing her own clothes. “She was always very stylish,” a local hospital administrator once remarked of Melania during her youth.
Melania’s modeling journey began at 16 when photographer Stane Jerko discovered her outside a fashion show. That chance meeting launched her career, first taking her to Milan and later to the United States.
Unlike many in the modeling world, Melania stayed reserved. “She was more of a loner,” Jerko remembered. “After shoots or shows, she’d go straight home instead of attending parties.” Ines, who hoped to work in fashion design, accompanied her sister along the way.
A photographer who worked with them described Ines as kind and modest, very different from the usual fashion crowd. “She wanted to be in the industry, but didn’t know how to get started,” he said.
Coming to America and Meeting Donald Trump
When Melania relocated to New York with the support of Italian businessman Paolo Zampolli, Ines made the move with her.
It was during Fashion Week in 1998 at the Kit Kat Club that Melania met Donald Trump. He arrived with a date but was immediately intrigued by her. When he asked for her number, she declined.
“Melania told me, ‘He’s with someone. I’m not giving him my number,” a friend recalled. Melania later explained her reasoning: “If I gave him my number, I’d just be another woman on his list. So I told him, ‘Give me your number—I’ll call you.’”
Ines: The Quiet Sister and Loyal Companion
Ines has chosen to stay out of the spotlight despite her sister’s fame. She was Melania’s maid of honor when she married Donald Trump and now lives nearby in New York City.
Reports indicate that she resides in a Trump-owned building on the Upper East Side, not far from Melania’s penthouse in Trump Tower.
Palm Beach philanthropist Audrey Gruss described Ines as “lovely and extremely creative” after meeting her at a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser in 2005. Melania has occasionally shared her sister’s artwork on social media, showcasing her artistic talents.
A Sisterly Bond That Endures
Fashion designer Luisa Beccaria noted that the sisters’ relationship goes beyond family—it resembles a deep friendship.
When Barron Trump was born, Melania didn’t rely on household staff. Instead, she turned to Ines. “Melania had access to all the help she needed,” Beccaria said, “but it was her sister she trusted most.”
Even though Melania lives much of her life in the public eye, her connection with Ines has remained strong and unwavering, rooted in their shared past and continuing quietly into the present, away from the limelight.
