If you’re keeping track of the tabloid-heavy history of New York real estate or the political landscape of the last decade, you’ve probably heard the name Trump more than a few times. Honestly, the family tree is a bit of a saga. But when people get down to the brass tacks and ask how many wives did Donald Trump have, the answer is pretty straightforward: three.
But "three" doesn't really cover the drama.
It's not just a number. Each marriage represents a completely different era of his life. You have the 1980s power-couple phase, the 1990s tabloid-frenzy phase, and then the 21st-century political dynasty phase. It’s kinda fascinating how these relationships mirrored exactly where he was in his career at the time.
The First Chapter: Ivana Trump (1977–1992)
Donald met Ivana Zelníčková in 1976. She was a Czech model and a former ski racer with a lot of ambition. They married in 1977.
Ivana wasn't just a "wife" in the traditional sense of the word. She was basically a senior executive in the Trump Organization. She managed the Plaza Hotel. She oversaw the interior design of Trump Tower. She was deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of the empire.
Together, they had three children:
- Donald Trump Jr. (born 1977)
- Ivanka Trump (born 1981)
- Eric Trump (born 1984)
The marriage was the ultimate 80s success story until it wasn't. The split was messy. Like, front-page-of-the-New-York-Post-for-eleven-days-straight messy. Rumors of an affair with a younger woman named Marla Maples started swirling, leading to a massive confrontation on a ski slope in Aspen. They eventually divorced in 1992, with Ivana famously telling women in a movie cameo later on, "Don't get mad, get everything."
Sadly, Ivana passed away in 2022 after a fall in her New York home. Even after the divorce, she and Donald reportedly remained on decent terms, often speaking on the phone.
The Tabloid Era: Marla Maples (1993–1999)
This is the marriage that most people associate with the "scandal" years. Marla Maples was an actress from Georgia. Their relationship started while Donald was still married to Ivana, which made her a permanent fixture in the gossip columns.
They had one daughter, Tiffany Trump, born in October 1993.
Just two months after Tiffany was born, they tied the knot at the Plaza Hotel. It was a huge event—over 1,000 guests, including celebrities like O.J. Simpson and Rosie O'Donnell (ironic, given later history).
But the spark didn't last as long as the first marriage. They separated in 1997 and the divorce was finalized in 1999. Marla ended up moving to California to raise Tiffany away from the New York spotlight. In recent years, Marla has leaned more into spirituality and wellness, a vibe that stands in pretty sharp contrast to the high-intensity Trump brand.
The Political Era: Melania Trump (2005–Present)
While his divorce from Marla was still wrapping up in 1998, Donald met a Slovenian model named Melania Knauss at a Fashion Week party. He was actually there on a date with someone else, but he asked for Melania's number anyway.
She didn't give it to him.
Instead, she took his number to see which one he'd give her (business or personal). He gave her all of them.
They married in 2005 at a lavish ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida. This wedding was a "who's who" of the time—even Hillary and Bill Clinton were in attendance. In 2006, Melania gave birth to their son, Barron Trump.
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Melania, of course, went on to become the First Lady of the United States. She’s often described as more private and reserved than the previous wives. Despite constant media speculation about the state of their marriage, she has been by his side through two successful presidential campaigns and into his second term in 2025.
Why it matters
When you look at how many wives did Donald Trump have, you're really looking at the evolution of a public figure.
- Ivana helped build the business.
- Marla defined the celebrity tabloid era.
- Melania transitioned into the world of global politics.
Quick Facts on the Trump Marriages
If you just need the hard data, here it is:
Ivana Trump
- Married: 1977
- Divorced: 1992
- Children: Don Jr., Ivanka, Eric
Marla Maples
- Married: 1993
- Divorced: 1999
- Children: Tiffany
Melania Trump
- Married: 2005
- Status: Current
- Children: Barron
A Legacy of Five Children
Across these three marriages, Trump has five children. It's a large, blended family that has stayed remarkably visible. The older three were heavily involved in his first administration and the Trump Organization. Tiffany has mostly stayed in the legal world after graduating from Georgetown Law, and Barron is now navigating his college years.
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Actually, the family grew even more recently. In May 2025, Tiffany and her husband Michael Boulos welcomed their first child, Alexander, making Donald a grandfather once again.
Looking Forward
Understanding this history helps explain the dynamics you see today. The relationships with his ex-wives—especially the business partnership with Ivana—shaped his public persona just as much as his real estate deals did.
To stay informed on how the Trump family continues to influence current events, you can follow official White House updates or track the latest business filings from the Trump Organization. For those interested in the historical context of presidential families, the Presidential Library archives offer a deeper look at how first families have shaped American culture over the decades.