Old images have surfaced of Melania Trump denying that she is in a relationship with Donald Trump simply for money.
The ABC News interview, which was conducted in 1999 when Melania was just 26 years old, sees then-model correspondent Don Dahler Grill talk about her romance with the businessman, who was 53 at the time.
The Slovenian star, who went by the name Melania Knauss at the time, refused to answer whether or not she would say yes to a marriage proposal from Donald, and was asked if she felt “hurt” by suggestions she was alone with him for his money.
“You know, people, they don't know me,” Melania, now 54, replied, before adding, “People that talk like that, they don't know me.”
Don then pointed out, “Well, you don't see many 26-year-old supermodels on the arm of a 53-year-old autolantica…”
Melania shot back, “You know what, you can't sleep or cuddle or talk to beautiful things, with a beautiful apartment, beautiful plane, beautiful cars, beautiful houses, you can't do that. You could feel very empty.
“And if someone said, 'You're with the guy because he's rich and famous,' they don't know me,” she added.
Earlier in the interview, Don asked Melania if she would consider signing a prenuptial agreement if they got engaged and married.
Melania Trump pictured at age 26 during a 1999 interview with ABC News discussing her romance with Donald Trump
Melania, pictured here with President Donald Trump in 1999, denied she was only with him for his money
With a grin on her face, Melania replied, “Everyone has different opinions, so let's see what happens.”
'Different opinions on this?' Don probed further, as Melania elaborated: 'About the pre-nuptial agreement, about whether to sign it or not to sign it, everyone decided what's in them.'
“So you're not ruling anything out?” he asked as she replied, “No.”
When he quizzed Melania on whether or not she could imagine herself as the First Lady of the United States, Melania revealed, “Yes, I would be very traditional like Jackie Kennedy. I will support him, I will do many social obligations. '
Don then pointed out, “If you became First Lady, it probably wouldn't be ethical for you to give commercial endorsements to products, so your modeling career might be over at that point.” What would you think about that? '
'I would be there [my] Man,” she replied, as Don said, “You would be willing to give up your modeling career?” ' To which Melania simply responded 'yes'.
Of course, Melania became First Lady in January 2017 when Donald became the 45th President of the United States.
And last week, she resumed the role again after he won the US elections in November 2024 and is now the 47th president of the United States.
The couple, pictured here on January 20 at the inaugural ball, have been married since 2005
Melania was first introduced to Trump in September 1998 and they moved in together at Trump Tower in 2002.
Donald proposed to Melania on April 26, 2004 and she signed his pre-nuptial agreement without any issue.
The couple married on January 22, 2005 at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church in Palm Beach, Florida, and welcomed their son Barron in March 2006.
Melania is also stepmother to Donald's four children: Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump from his first marriage to Ivana Zelníčková and Tiffany Trump from his second marriage to Marla Maples.
