For many years, people have been fascinated by the marriage between Melania and Donald Trump. Examine the couple’s love journey from their 1998 first meeting to Melania’s tenure as First Lady and their subsequent return to Mar-a-Lago.

At a New York Fashion Week gathering in September 1998, Donald and Melania Trump first crossed paths. Melania mentioned in her memoir that she got a call from a friend who wanted to invite her to the Kit Kat Klub.

“On a Friday night in September 1998, as I settled into the comfort of my New York City apartment after a whirlwind trip to Paris, my phone rang. It was a friend of mine,” the former model recalled.

“My boyfriend is throwing a party at the Kit Kat Klub tomorrow night. Please come. We haven’t seen each other in so long,” Melania’s friend said. “I just got back from Paris,” she replied.

Melania first turned down the invitation since she preferred quiet evenings to going out to clubs, but she later had second thoughts.

“While I was tired and jet-lagged, I loved the idea that my weekend was about to be filled with the company of friends. […] After all, it was Fashion Week—a time of glamour and sophistication. I was actually looking forward to mingling with industry insiders and trendsetters,” she wrote.

The enthusiasm of the crowd and the brilliant lights produced a memorable scene when the model came. Melania and her companions made themselves at home in the VIP area, taking in the elegant and bustling setting.

Soon after, though, she saw a man coming toward her table. “Hi, I’m Donald Trump,” he said. Although she didn’t know anything about him, she knew his name.

The two started talking when the model gave a courteous response. She was drawn to Donald’s charisma and self-assurance. He was there with a date, but Melania was still the center of his attention.

“He asked me about my time in New York, my Slovenian home, and my world travels. It was a moment of connection, a brief encounter that left a lasting impression. It was nice to make a new acquaintance,” she shared in her memoir.

As the night went on, he asked for her phone number. She declined and instead suggested, “Give me your number,” seemingly taking him by surprise. “I’ll give you my number,” he replied, “if you promise to call me.”

The pair later met for lunch, and Melania recalled learning of Donald’s children and former marriages, “I refrained from passing any judgment, choosing instead to enjoy his company,” she shared.

“I really liked that about him. After returning home, I was giddy with joy. It’s truly a rare feeling to instantly connect with someone on such a deep level,” she added.

“I was immediately at ease in Donald’s company, as if our souls had known each other for a long time. Our chemistry was undeniable, and our connection felt natural,” the former model continued.

Their relationship deepened in the following months. At 28, Melania found herself drawn to Donald’s larger-than-life personality. “As someone who had traveled the globe and encountered many types of people, I found Donald to be different, a breath of fresh air,” she wrote.