Before she became one of the most photographed women in the world, the First Lady of the United States led a quiet, private life — one that included a handful of flings far from the spotlight.
Through the years, Melania Trump has remained guarded about her private life. However, some reports have offered a glimpse into her dating history before marrying President Donald Trump.
She has said that she prefers to keep her life private, though she’s not afraid of public attention. “I’m not shy of the media. I’m not shy about the camera. That’s my business. That’s my modeling career. But it sometimes could be very tricky and unpleasant, unfair,” she once admitted.
Melania’s Quiet Life in New York
During her single years in New York, Melania lived a low-key lifestyle, focusing on health and discipline. She reportedly walked with ankle weights, ate at least seven pieces of fruit daily, and maintained a strict skincare routine.
She wasn’t into the party scene and skipped out on nightclubs. A typical night out would involve dinner at Cipriani at 10 p.m., followed by a return home by 1 a.m.
Her taste in men leaned toward wealthy, industrious Europeans. According to those close to her, she occasionally dated Italian men and playboys, but their outings were usually just dinner, and she would be home soon after.
Melania’s daily routine included working out, swimming, and using the sauna. Unless she had errands or modeling work, she preferred to stay in. Back then, her style was more understated. Now, with access to high fashion, she’s elevated her wardrobe and is often seen in her signature Manolo Blahnik heels.
What Friends Said About Melania Trump
“She was reserved; the first party she ever came to with me was the one she met Donald [Trump] at,” said her friend Edit Molnar. Paolo Zampolli, president of ID Models — the agency that discovered her and brought her to New York in 1996 — also described her as a “homebody.”
“She never dated anyone in New York before Donald. She only went to movies by herself and to the gym,” he added. Still, a few men have claimed to be part of Melania’s romantic past before Donald. Here’s what we know about them.
The Alleged First Boyfriend, Peter Butoln
A man named Peter Butoln once said he was Melania’s first boyfriend. He shared stories of her teenage years in Slovenia, including how they met. “It was my first love,” Peter admitted to Inside Edition. “My first real love.”
Melania, born in the small town of Sevnica with a population of 5,000, reportedly met Peter after moving to Ljubljana at 17 to attend an elite high school.
He said he approached her after spotting her walking in the city center, as he was instantly smitten with Melania’s stunning beauty. However, their relationship ended when he left for military service, and they never saw each other again.
The last contact Peter had with Melania was through a postcard she sent in 1987, shortly after their split. “I send you this postcard with nice warm regards from the seaside,” she reportedly wrote on the card. He kept it with him through the years.
Despite his sweet memories with Melania, a spokesperson for the First Lady clarified that Peter was never her boyfriend.
Her Last Slovenian Boyfriend, Jure Zorcic
Melania’s former boyfriend, Jure Zorcic, also spoke publicly about their past, telling ABC News that she stood out even as a young woman. “She wanted to live abroad, in Italy, France, a life of fashion,” he said. “She was very fashionable.”
Jure Zorcic answers an interview on his ex-girlfriend, Melania Trump, dated February 25, 2016. | Source: YouTube/Top TV Slovenija
The two met in 1991 in Slovenia. At the time, Jure was riding a motorbike and noticed her walking down the street. “I had a moment and thought, ‘Wow, who is this girl? She is so beautiful, I must turn back and follow her,'” he described the first time they met, as if it were straight out of a Hollywood movie.
After stopping to talk, he took her out for coffee. They dated for several months and often spent time along the Croatian coast with their friends.
Jure Zorcic speaks about Melania Trump during an interview dated February 25, 2016. | Source: YouTube/Top TV Slovenija
Jure said he was surprised when she suddenly left Slovenia to pursue her modeling career. She went on to live in Paris and Milan before eventually settling in New York.
The two crossed paths again in 2000. He recalled being surprised that she was speaking English and asked if she had forgotten she was Slovenian. Melania eventually married Donald in 2005.
“I think her marriage to Trump was fate,” Jure shared. “Nobody believed 20 years ago that she would live at the top of the world, on Fifth Avenue in Trump Tower — even her!”
Apart from Peter and Jure, Melania’s friend, author Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, revealed in her book “Melania and Me” that the model had a boyfriend during her time abroad in Paris and Milan, but did not disclose more. She also went on a few casual dates here and there.
Ultimately, Melania found what she called the perfect partner in Donald. According to Vladimira Tomsic, a woman who attended the same school and is close to her parents, the reason their marriage works is rooted in the First Lady’s upbringing. Melania is the ideal wife for Donald, and they are the perfect match who complement and support one another.
She has pushed back on claims that she dated her 53-year-old businessman boyfriend at the time for financial gain, saying you can’t “talk with” or “hug” beautiful things.
Melania once joked that the secret to her lasting marriage with Donald was having separate bathrooms. She has also addressed her critics. “They don’t know me,” she said while describing Donald as “very kind” and “very charming.”
Melania’s journey from a quiet life in Slovenia to becoming the First Lady of the United States is a story of discipline, ambition, and mystery. Though much has been said about her past, she has remained steadfast in protecting her privacy, allowing only glimpses of the woman behind the public image.
She has consistently shown focus and restraint — qualities that continue to define her today. Whether admired for her elegance or questioned for her silence, Melania’s story remains one of quiet strength and unwavering control over her own narrative.
