When you think of the Trump family, names like Ivanka or Kimberly Guilfoyle usually jump to the front of the line. But for over a decade, the woman standing right at the center of the inner circle was someone much more low-key. If you’re wondering who is don jr.’s ex-wife, the answer is Vanessa Trump, a former model who spent twelve years navigating the intense glare of the Manhattan social scene and the eventual chaos of a presidential administration.
Honestly, Vanessa is a bit of an enigma. While her ex-husband thrives on the loud, combative world of political Twitter and cable news, she has mostly retreated into a private life focused on her five kids. But lately, her name is back in the headlines for a reason nobody saw coming: she’s dating Tiger Woods.
Yeah, you read that right.
From the Upper East Side to Mar-a-Lago
Vanessa Kay Pergolizzi (who later took her stepfather’s name, Haydon) didn't just wander into the high-society life. She was born into it. Growing up on the Upper East Side, she attended the ultra-exclusive Dwight School. Her mom, Bonnie, ran a modeling agency, so it was basically a given that Vanessa would end up in front of a camera.
She wasn't just a face, though. She was a serious athlete—a tennis star in high school—and eventually studied psychology at Marymount Manhattan College. By her early twenties, she was a fixture in the New York fashion world, signed with Wilhelmina Models, and even had a tiny "blink and you'll miss it" role in the 2003 Jack Nicholson movie Something's Gotta Give.
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The Infamous Introduction
The story of how she met Donald Trump Jr. is kinda legendary because it was so... awkward. It happened at a fashion show in 2003. Donald Trump Sr. actually introduced them. Then, during the intermission, he forgot he’d already done it and introduced them again.
Vanessa once told The New York Times that she basically rolled her eyes and told him, "Yeah, we just met five minutes ago." It wasn't exactly love at first sight. It took a third meeting at a birthday party weeks later for them to actually hit it off and talk for an hour. Two years later, they were married at Mar-a-Lago.
Why the Marriage Ended
For a long time, they were the "stable" couple of the family. They had five children together: Kai, Donald III, Tristan, Spencer, and Chloe. Vanessa was the quintessential stay-at-home mom, though she did have a brief handbag line called La Poshett for a few years.
But things started to crack around 2017.
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By the time Vanessa filed for divorce in March 2018, rumors were flying. Some people pointed to the "witch hunt" investigations into the 2016 election, which Donald Trump Sr. himself claimed put a massive strain on their marriage. Others whispered about Don Jr.’s constant traveling and his very public, very loud persona. There was also the terrifying incident where Vanessa was hospitalized after opening a letter containing a suspicious white powder (it turned out to be cornstarch, but the trauma was real).
The "Marinara" Fortune
One of the wildest details about the split is the timing. Shortly before the divorce, Vanessa reportedly inherited a massive windfall. Her father, Charles Haydon, had been a high-profile lawyer who made a legendary investment in Rao’s Speciality Foods—the company behind that famous, expensive pasta sauce you see in grocery stores.
When the company sold, Vanessa’s share was reportedly worth millions. Some insiders suggested that this financial independence gave her the "exit ramp" she needed to finally walk away from the marriage.
Life After Don Jr.: The Tiger Woods Connection
Since the divorce was finalized in late 2018, Vanessa has stayed mostly out of the spotlight, which is exactly how she seems to like it. While Don Jr. got engaged to Kimberly Guilfoyle, Vanessa stayed in Florida, focusing on being a "golf mom."
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This brings us to the most surprising chapter yet. In early 2025, it became official: Vanessa Trump is dating Tiger Woods.
The two reportedly bonded over their kids, who attend the same school and compete in the same junior golf circles. Her eldest daughter, Kai Trump, is a standout golfer who recently committed to the University of Miami. Seeing Vanessa and Tiger together at tournaments isn't just a tabloid rumor anymore; Tiger made it "Instagram official" in March 2025.
What to Know About Vanessa Trump Today
If you’re following her story now, here’s the reality of her life in 2026:
- She’s Wealthy in Her Own Right: Between her divorce settlement and the Rao’s pasta sauce inheritance, she isn't dependent on the Trump name for her lifestyle.
- The Kids Come First: Her social media (what little there is of it) is almost entirely dedicated to her children's sporting achievements.
- Amicable Exes: Surprisingly, she and Don Jr. seem to get along fine. They’ve been spotted together at family events and at Mar-a-Lago, proving that not every high-profile divorce has to be a total bloodbath.
- A New Chapter: Her relationship with Tiger Woods seems to have signaled a total shift away from the political world and back into the world of elite sports and private luxury.
Vanessa Trump went from being a New York model to a political spouse, and finally to a billionaire heiress living her best life in Florida. She managed to survive one of the most scrutinized marriages in American history and come out the other side with her privacy—and her fortune—intact.
To stay updated on figures like Vanessa, keep an eye on official family announcements or sports news outlets covering the junior golf circuit, as that is where she is most likely to be seen these days. You can also follow Kai Trump's rising golf career, which often offers the best glimpses into the family's current life.