On a night when America seemed to be holding its breath — a punishing snowstorm paralysing swathes of the country and Minneapolis reeling after an ICE-related shooting — an unusually discreet gathering
unfolded behind the heavy doors of the White House. No press calls. No advance buzz. Just a black-tie audience of roughly 70 guests ushered quietly into the East Room for a private screening of Melania, the upcoming Amazon-backed documentary centred on Melania Trump. The guest list was pointedly elite and conspicuously apolitical: Queen Rania of Jordan, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Zoom founder Eric Yuan, AMD chief Lisa Su, Mike Tyson, Tony Robbins, Fiat heiress Azzi Agnelli, fashion designer Adam Lippes and photographer Ellen von Unwerth, who also shot the film’s poster. Amazon Studios chief Mike Hopkins and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy were present, as was Barron Trump. Senior Trump administration figures, however, were notably absent. Sources familiar with the evening say that, until this screening, almost no one outside Melania, director Brett Ratner and a tight inner circle had seen the film — not even the president or his senior advisers. The message was unmistakable: this was Melania’s story, unveiled strictly on her own terms. As the documentary prepares for its nationwide theatrical release on January 30, curiosity around the First Lady has sharpened once again. Who is Melania Trump beyond the public silences? How vast is her personal fortune? And where, exactly, does she live when the cameras are off?
Melania Trump: From Slovenia to the White House
Born Melanija Knavs in 1970 in Novo Mesto, in what was then Yugoslavia, Melania’s beginnings were resolutely unglamorous. Raised in the industrial town of Sevnica, she grew up surrounded by textiles — her mother worked as a patternmaker — and began sewing and altering clothes long before she ever stepped onto a runway. Discovered by photographer Stane Jerko at sixteen, she modelled across Milan and Paris before relocating to New York in 1996. Two years later, she met Donald Trump. They married in 2005, welcomed their son Barron in 2006, and in 2017 Melania became the first naturalised US citizen — and first non-native English speaker — to serve as First Lady. She returned to the role in January 2025.
Melania Trump’s Net Worth in 2026
As of early 2026, Melania Trump’s personal net worth is estimated to be between $50 million and $70 million. Her wealth is drawn from multiple streams: a successful international modelling career, jewellery collections sold under her first name, licensing deals through Getty Images, and post-White House ventures including NFTs. Her 2024 memoir, MELANIA, debuted on the New York Times bestseller list, adding another substantial revenue line. The most headline-grabbing figure, however, is tied to her latest project. The documentary Melania is backed by Amazon MGM Studios, with industry estimates placing the deal at around $40 million, covering production, distribution and associated rights.
Inside Melania Trump’s Luxury Homes: Prices, Locations and Details
Melania Trump divides her time between several high-profile properties, each reflecting a different chapter of her life.
Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida
Estimated value: ~$350 million Location: Palm Beach, Florida
The Trump family’s primary residence since 2019, Mar-a-Lago spans 17 acres and nearly 120 rooms. Built in 1927 by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post, the Mediterranean-style estate functions as both a private home and an exclusive members’ club. Often dubbed the “Winter White House,” it is where Melania spends significant time away from Washington, favouring its privacy, spa facilities and beachfront access. Trump Tower Penthouse, Fifth Avenue, New York City
Estimated value: ~$54 million Location: Manhattan, New York Occupying the top three floors of Trump Tower, this approximately 11,000-square-foot triplex is one of America’s most recognisable private homes. Designed in a lavish, Versailles-inspired style with gold accents and marble throughout, it was Melania’s main residence during Donald Trump’s first term, when she stayed in New York so Barron could finish school.
The White House, Washington, D.C.
Estimated value: Not applicable (government-owned) Location: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Since January 2025, Melania has once again occupied the private living quarters of the White House. During her earlier tenure, she quietly renovated parts of the residence, introducing a cleaner, more modern aesthetic. While not a personal asset, it remains one of the most scrutinised homes in the world.
Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, New Jersey
Estimated value: Part of a property purchased for ~$35 million Location: Bedminster, New Jersey
Set amid rolling countryside, Bedminster serves as a summer retreat. Melania typically stays in a private cottage on the grounds, away from the main clubhouse. The property has hosted major family events, including Ivanka Trump’s wedding, and remains a key refuge from both Palm Beach and Washington.
The Cars Associated With Melania Trump
Melania Trump’s automotive tastes skew classic, rare and discreetly extravagant.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (approx. $600,000): Gifted to her in the mid-2000s and immortalised in her 2006 Vogue shoot, complete with gull-wing doors.
Rolls-Royce Phantom (approx. $450,000): Frequently used for family travel.
Presidential Limousine (“The Beast”): As First Lady, she is chauffeured in the heavily armoured Cadillac designed specifically for presidential security.
The Amazon Documentary Everyone’s Talking About
Melania traces roughly 20 days in her life, spanning the 2025 presidential campaign to Inauguration Day. Director Brett Ratner reportedly spent months living at Mar-a-Lago during filming, embedding himself within her tightly controlled world. The documentary marks Ratner’s first major project in nearly a decade following allegations of sexual misconduct, a fact that has added a layer of controversy to the release. Yet the White House screening made one thing clear: Melania has retained complete control over access, narrative and timing.
The Power of Restraint
Melania Trump has never attempted to charm America through oversharing. She speaks sparingly, appears selectively, and cultivates distance rather than intimacy. To critics, that distance reads as cold. To supporters, it signals discipline. As her Amazon documentary prepares to reach the public, the intrigue lies not in what she reveals, but in what she continues to withhold. In an era addicted to exposure, Melania Trump’s greatest luxury may well be her restraint.