Melania Trump is worth US$50 million – how did she make her money, and did husband Donald Trump help?

Jun 19 , 2020

Melania Trump, the US first lady, might have made millions with her beauty – but she has always had an eye for business. Photo: AP Photo

She’s not paid for being US first lady, but the former lingerie model has made a fortune through her jewellery line, skincare products, property investments – and a payout from the Daily Mail – but has being married to the US president helped?

“I have a lot of ideas. I studied architecture and design, so I love design and fashion.” Those are the words of Melania Trump back in 2011 when she relaunched her lucrative jewellery line, which sold out within minutes of its release. Yes, being married to Donald Trump has helped elevate her status, but she’s always been a strong businesswoman in her own right.

From modelling gigs to caviar skincare lines – and making sure to cash in on the rights to her pictures – Melania has been named one of the richest wives to an American president. Bearing in mind she gets no money for her role as first lady of the United States (Flotus), Melania’s estimated US$50 million fortune was racked up before her hubby taking The White House gig. Here’s how she did it …

Modelling gigs

Melania Trump posing on the February cover of American Vogue magazine. Photo: Reuters

From Milan to Paris, Melania earned a name for herself as a fashion model when she was just 18 years old. She quickly landed the covers of big glossy titles like Vanity Fair, Allure and Harper’s Bazaar. In 2005 she made the cover of Vogue wearing her wedding dress. Just a few months later, she again modelled for the mag, this time 7-months-pregnant, wearing a gold bikini in front of a plane. Classy.

Affordable jewellery

Billed as luxury pieces at a consumer friendly price, Melania’s jewellery line was inspired by the three main places she lived in at the time: Paris, Palm Beach and New York. One watch was modelled after “the circle of life” and called the Trump Tower watch. All of the pieces were under US$200 and the relaunch of the line was just before her husband announced he would be running for president. So, smart timing on Melania’s part.

Caviar skin care products

Melania beauty products. Photo: Melania Beauty