Melania Trump is known globally as a former First Lady, former model, and wife of Donald Trump, but behind the designer gowns, state dinners, and political spotlight lies a more intimate, lesser-known story—one centered around her lifelong relationship with someone outside the world of celebrity: her older sister, Ines Knauss. While the world has seen Melania on magazine covers and in the public eye, few know how deeply her sister has shaped and supported her journey.

Born Melanija Knavs in the picturesque Slovenian town of Sevnica, Melania shared a humble yet close-knit childhood with Ines. Their parents, Viktor and Amalija, provided a stable foundation. Viktor worked in the automotive industry while Amalija was a skilled pattern-maker at a children’s clothing factory. Together, they raised their daughters with a strong emphasis on discipline, education, and family loyalty—values that would stay with them for life.

Melania often reflects on her childhood as “beautiful,” and much of that beauty, she has said, came from her bond with Ines. As girls, the two were inseparable—sharing secrets, sketching outfits, and spending afternoons dreaming of the future. Amalija’s work in fashion deeply influenced both sisters, particularly Melania, who developed a sharp eye for design and presentation under her mother’s quiet tutelage.

Their world changed dramatically when Melania was just sixteen. A chance encounter with photographer Stane Jerko led to a modeling career that catapulted her from a sleepy riverside town to the fashion capitals of Milan and Paris. Melania soon left her university studies in architecture and design to pursue modeling full time—a leap that might have felt overwhelming without Ines by her side.

Unlike her younger sister, Ines never sought the spotlight. Her passion for creativity led her behind the camera rather than in front of it. She traveled with Melania when possible, helping her navigate the cutthroat modeling world, providing not only emotional support but also artistic insight. Ines’s talents as an illustrator flourished quietly while Melania climbed the ranks of the fashion industry. She wasn’t the one signing contracts or posing under flashbulbs, but she was always present—listening, advising, encouraging.

Their bond remained unshakable through every milestone. When Melania married Donald Trump in a lavish 2005 ceremony at Mar-a-Lago, Ines stood proudly at her side as maid-of-honor. It was a rare public moment for someone who fiercely values privacy. Ines’s choice to remain behind the scenes is not out of shyness, but of principle—she is known among those close to the family as deeply introspective, loyal, and quietly influential.

Ines now lives in New York City, reportedly in a building owned by the Trump family just a short walk from Melania’s Trump Tower penthouse. Despite being so close to one of the most powerful families in America, Ines has avoided media attention for years.

Her focus remains on her art, and occasional glimpses of her delicate illustrations have surfaced on Melania’s social media, showcasing her talent and taste for minimal, refined beauty.

Their relationship grew even deeper when Melania became a mother. After giving birth to Barron Trump in 2006, Melania leaned heavily on Ines. Friends say it was Ines who helped her navigate the early, often overwhelming days of motherhood—changing diapers, offering comfort, and providing the steady presence Melania trusted more than anyone else. During Donald Trump’s presidency, as the political spotlight intensified, it was Ines who Melania turned to for stability and a sense of normalcy amid the chaos.

Their sisterhood is more than a family tie—it is a foundation. While Melania has weathered the extremes of public life, including global scrutiny and political controversy, she has always had a quiet, calming force in her corner. Ines has never spoken to the press, never granted interviews, never tried to capitalize on her sister’s fame. She remains, to this day, one of the few people Melania can turn to without question.

Through every transition—leaving Slovenia, building a modeling career, marrying into one of the most watched families in the world—Ines has remained a constant. Not because she seeks recognition, but because she values love, trust, and loyalty above all. And in Melania’s world, which is often dominated by politics and media frenzy, that quiet loyalty is perhaps the most valuable gift of all.

Behind the First Lady is a first friend—a sister who knew her before the cameras, who stood by her through every chapter, and who continues to be her confidante, her anchor, and her silent strength.