How many wives has Donald Trump had? Marriage history explained - including Ivana Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump shared an Easter messages with his followers on his social media platform Truth Social.

The former President and 2024 presidential hopeful wished all those a Happy Easter, including “weak & pathetic RINOS [Republicans in Name Only] and radical left Democrats, socialists Marxists, & communists and others who oppose stricter border security and voting laws.” The former first lady, Melania Trump also broke her silence for the first time since Trump’s indictment, wishing followers on social media a “Happy Easter!” alongside the photo of a pink rose.

A Manhattan grand jury voted to indict the former president, in what is a first for US history. Trump, who had predicted that he would be arrested on his social media platform Truth Social, appeared in court in New York last Tuesday (April 3), where he plead not guilty to 34 felony counts.

Manhattan prosecutors have been investigating Trump for the alleged payment of hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 election, however the exact charges against him are not yet known. Despite being married, allegations of affairs and sexual assault have followed the former president, although it doesn’t seem to deter his fans. So, how many times has Trump been married? Here’s everything you need to know.

How many wives has Donald Trump had?

The former US president has been married three times, whilst most people are familiar with his current wife Melania who was the former first lady, who were his first two wives?

Donald Trump’s marriage history:

Ivana Trump

Donald Trump’s first wife was the Czech-American model and businesswoman Ivana Trump (nee Zelníčková). The couple met in an upmarket New York bar in 1976 and tied the knot the following year. Together they welcomed three children: Donald Jr. (1977), Ivanka (1981) and Eric (1984). Ivana was a fixture of New York’s social scene and worked as an interior design consultant for her husband’s firm.

Their marriage fell apart when he began an affair in the early 1990s with the actress and model Marla Maples. The split made tabloid headlines, with Ivana telling Vanity Fair in 1990 that “The children are all wrecks”. They filed for divorce in 1991.

After divorcing Trump, Ivana remarried twice to Riccardo Mazzucchelli and Rossano Rubicondi, however both unions ended in divorce. She passed away in July 2022 from a fall at the age of 73. Following her death Trump paid tribute to his ex-wife on his social media platform Truth Social, he shared that she was a “wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life”.

Marla Maples

Donald Trump married Marla Maples, with whom he had been having an affair with in a ceremony at Trump Plaza in December 1993, with the pair welcoming daughter Tiffany two months prior in October. The marriage wouldn’t last with Maples and Trump separating in 1997 and officially divorcing in 1999.

Their divorce was just as publicised as their affair, reported by Bustle at the time of their separation Maples told the Daily Telegraph that her former husband was “ego-driven” and “obsessive”, adding that their marriage was “built on an illusion”. A spokesperson for Maples at the time said the comments had been taken out of context. Maples has not remarried, in 2016 she appeared on the 22nd season of Dancing with the Stars finishing in 10th place.

Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump (nee Knauss) met at a party in September 1998. They got engaged in 2004, with the New York Times reporting Melania’s engagement ring was worth $1.5 million. In January 2005 they tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Palm Beach, with the reception held at Donald’s Mar-a-Lago estate. In March 2006 they welcomed their first son, Barron.

Melania supported Trump throughout his presidential campaign, making her first solo speech in 2016 at a rally in Pennsylvania. However news of the alleged affair with Daniels broke in 2018, according to the adult film star it took place in June 2006, soon after Barron was born.

In 2018 Melania took part in a tell-all interview with ABC News where she was asked about her husband and the alleged affair. She told interviewer Tom Llamas: “it was not a concern or focus of mine, I’m a mother and a First Lady and I have much more important things to think about and to do”.

How many children does he have?

Trump has five children from his three marriages. His first three children Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric all played major roles in his 2016 presidential campaign, they are also executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization and have previously appeared as advisors on his reality TV series The Apprentice.

Following Trump’s campaign announcement for 2024, Ivanka has confirmed she won’t be taking part in the campaign this time around and did not attend his candidacy announcement. Speaking to Fox News she said: “I love my father very much. This time around, I am choosing to prioritise my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics.”

Trump's daughter with his second wife, Tiffany, is a legal research assistant at Georgetown University Law Center. She campaigned for her father throughout his 2016 presidential campaign and in his 2020 bid for re-election.

Trump’s youngest son Barron is just 17-years-old. He is the only child between Trump and his current wife Melania. He has previously made appearances on The Apprentice and The Oprah Winfrey Show, but following his father’s presidential win has stayed out of the spotlight. Reported by The Sun, Melania calls him “Little Donald”. She said: “He is a very strong-minded, very special, smart boy. He is independent and opinionated and knows exactly what he wants. Sometimes I call him little Donald.”