Are Melania Trump and Ivanka Trump friends? Why the pair have this relationship
MELANIA TRUMP, 49, is the wife of the US President, Donald Trump, 73. When she married her husband, she became the step-mother of Ivanka Trump despite there being only 11-years between them - are they friends?
Melania Trump is the 'only one' to stand up to Ivanka says expert
Melania Trump first met her husband, Donald Trump, over 20-years-ago and they have been together ever since. They married in a lavish ceremony at the Mar-a-Lago estate owned by Donald on 22 January 2005. The First Lady became the step-mum of Donald’s children, Donald Trump Jr, 41, Ivanka Trump, 37, Eric Trump, 35, and Tiffany Trump, 25. Melania and Ivanka share an age gap of just 11-years, but are they friends?
Ivanka and Mrs. Trump have always shared a close relationship, and that continues today.
Melania and Donald have been together since they reportedly met at a party in 1998.
Despite the 24-year age gap, the couple soon started dating.
Ivanka was born on 30 October 1981, meaning she was just 17 at this time.
The ladies have met many times over the years and are often spotted out together helping Donald carry out his political duties.
However, some reports have claimed they have a frosty relationship.
So, are Melania and Ivanka friends?
When Donald became the US President in 2016, Ivanka took on the role of senior political advisor meaning she often goes out with the First Lady and President.
Despite speculation about the women not getting on, Ivanka’s mum and Donald’s ex-wife, Ivana Trump, has previously weighed in on the relationship.
Speaking to The Atlanta about Ivanka’s relationship with her step-mum, Ivana said “she likes her fine.”
A statement made shortly after Donald became president also tried to quash any feud rumours.
In 2017, Melania’s spokeswoman told Vanity Fair: “Ivanka and Mrs. Trump have always shared a close relationship, and that continues today."
Recently, Ivanka joined Donald Trump at the G20 summit to meet with political leaders from across the world.
Donald was also pictured in North Korea with Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, however, Melania wasn’t spotted at either of these events.
It is not known whether Melania had accompanied Donald on these trips but her social media accounts suggest she has been focusing on her own duties as First Lady.
Before Melania moved into the White House, she had previously worked as a model in Slovenia.
She has also worked as a successful businesswoman and has her own jewellery range.
Melania Trump: Five facts about the USA’s First Lady
Languages
Mum-of-one Melania can speak more languages than any other First Lady before her: English, French, German, Italian, Serbian and of course her mother tongue, Slovenian.
This also makes her the only First Lady whose first language is not English.
Religion
After Jacqueline Kennedy, Melania is the second First Lady who is a practising Catholic.
She met Pope Francis as part of a foreign tour with her husband and stepdaughter Ivanka last year.
Career
Melania was a successful model, posing for Sports Illustrated, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and GQ.
Her skills aren’t confined to print, and she appeared in a commercial for Aflac, an American insurance company, in 2005.
Family
Melania’s parents are Amalija Knavs and Viktor Knavs, and the couple live together in Washington.
She has one sister, Ines, who is reported to live in New York and work as an artist.
Charity
On May 7 2018, Melania launched her flagship campaign as First Lady, BE BEST, which The White House describes as “an awareness campaign focused entirely around the well-being of children”.
There are three main strands to the initiative: well-being, social media, and opioid abuse.