From Small-Town Slovenia to the World Stage
Long before she became First Lady, Melania Trump was a young woman from the small Slovenian town of Sevnica, chasing a modeling career. She would later achieve success in the United States, meet Donald Trump, and step onto the global stage. Yet, according to a former boyfriend from her hometown, her path once looked very different.
Teenage Ambitions Take Flight
In the 1990s, Melania left Slovenia as a teenager, determined to enter the fashion world. She grew up in modest circumstances, but her interest in modeling and style appeared early. During this time, she experienced her first serious relationship with a young man named Jure Zorcic.
A Chance Meeting
Jure recently spoke to ABC News about their time together. His memories read like a scene from a romance film. He recalled noticing Melania while riding his motorcycle, captivated by her presence. “I couldn’t believe how beautiful she was,” he said. “She dressed elegantly, moved with confidence—tall, with long hair falling over her face. You could barely see her eyes. She already looked like a fashion icon.”
America Was Not Part of the Plan
According to Jure, their connection sparked instantly. They talked over coffee, and he quickly realized Melania was different—ambitious and driven. Still, moving to the United States was never part of her vision. “She wanted to live abroad, yes—but somewhere in Europe,” he explained. “Places like Italy or France, close to the fashion scene. America wasn’t even a thought.”
Building a European Modeling Career
Before arriving in New York, Melania worked in Paris and Milan, steadily building her career. When she finally told Jure she was moving to New York, he was surprised. “She said it was for a hair care campaign—that’s what brought her there,” he recalled.
A Surprising Reunion
They reunited around the year 2000, but Jure noticed a shift. During their conversation, Melania switched from Slovenian to English mid-sentence. “I joked, ‘Did you forget your own language?’” he said with a laugh. At the time, no one—including Melania herself—could have imagined she would one day live in Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.
