Inside Donald and Melania Trump's 20-year marriage as First Lady keeps public at distance

Despite being married to the two-time US president for 20 years, Melania Trump tends to distance herself from the public spotlight. The was born in Slovenia in 1970 before relocating to New York in the late 90s to further her modelling career. She and initially crossed paths in 1998 at a New York City fashion week party. Despite Mr Trump already having a date for the party and being newly divorced from his previous wife, Marla Maples, he still asked for Melania's number.

Melania, in a candid 2016 Harper's Bazaar interview, revealed her asked for her number. She said: "He wanted my number, but he was with a date, so of course I didn't give it to him." The model took charge by asking for his contact details instead. She explained: "I am not giving you my number. You give me yours, and I will call you. I wanted to see if it was a business number."

Mr Trump impressed her by providing all his numbers, including office and personal lines.

The couple briefly separated in 2000 during Mr Trump's first leap into politics, when he sought the Reform Party's presidential nomination. They rekindled their romance after he withdrew from the race.

In a surprise move at the 2004 Met Gala in New York City, Mr Trump . The following year, they tied the knot in Palm Beach, Florida, with a lavish reception at the Mar-a-Lago estate, where they also honeymooned.

On March 20, 2006, the Trumps celebrated the birth of their son Barron, affectionately dubbed "Little Donald" by Melania, who has since tried to shield him from the media spotlight.

Mr Trump has four children from previous marriages, two sons (Donald Jr and Eric) and two daughters (Ivanka and Tiffany).

On election night after beating Kamala Harris to the White House, the Republican used his speech to thank Melania and praise her recent book, Melania: A Memoir, which he said was the top-selling book in the country.

Melania's official photographer, Régine Mahaux, told "They've gone through so much. She's committed. She loves him and he loves her.

"She's always in the right place. She's . He's in the light; she doesn't need the light. She's a very good No. 2.

"It's always her husband first, and I like that; she has strong family values, to be a good wife and to make sure they're happy."