Before the White House: Melania Trump’s Early European Ambitions
Long before she became the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump was a young woman from a small Slovenian town with big dreams and a fierce passion for fashion. While the world knows her story in the U.S.,
her early life in Europe was shaped by ambition, romance, and plans that might have taken her anywhere—just not America. Now, one of her first serious boyfriends has offered a rare glimpse into that formative period.
In the 1990s, a teenage Melania left Sevnica, Slovenia, to pursue modeling opportunities abroad. Growing up in modest circumstances, she discovered a love for fashion early on and quickly made a name for herself across Europe. During this period, she shared her first serious romance with a young man named Jure Zorcic.
Jure recently shared his memories with ABC News, describing their first encounter as something out of a romantic film. He recalls spotting her walking past while he was on his motorbike and being immediately captivated. “I was blown away by how beautiful she was,” he said. “She had this elegance, real class. Tall, with long hair partially covering her face—you could barely see her eyes. A true style icon.”
Despite their connection, Jure says America was never part of her plans. “Melania dreamed of working abroad, yes, but always in Europe—Italy or France, right in the heart of the fashion scene,” he revealed. The idea of moving to the U.S.? “That never crossed our minds.”
She spent significant time working in Paris and Milan, honing her modeling portfolio and establishing herself in European fashion circles. It wasn’t until she landed a New York campaign for a hair care company that America even entered the conversation—leaving Jure surprised by the sudden shift.
When they briefly reconnected in 2000, Jure noticed a subtle change. Melania now spoke English more than Slovenian. He joked, “Have you forgotten you’re Slovenian?” She laughed, but it highlighted how far she had come. Looking back, Jure says, “No one could have imagined she’d end up in Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue—not even Melania herself.”
Conclusion
Melania Trump’s journey from a small Slovenian town to international stardom was shaped by ambition, talent, and a love for fashion. Her early dreams were firmly rooted in Europe, and even those closest to her could not have predicted the extraordinary life that awaited her across the Atlantic.