KEY POINTS

  • Melania Trump speaks about her relationship with her stepchildren
  • Ivana Trump speaks about Ivanka's feelings toward Melania
  • Melania Trump and Ivanka's relatioship

Melania Trump shares her relationship with Donald Trump’s children and ex-wives.

Melania is the POTUS’ third wife. He has three children with his first wife Ivana: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric. Donald also has one daughter with his second wife Marla Maples, Tiffany.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the first lady shared about her relationship with Donald’s children. According to her, she doesn’t feel like a stepmother to them but a friend because they are all grown-ups when she became part of their family.

“I don’t see myself as their mother. I am their friend, and I’m here when they need me,” Melania said.

Ivana shared in one of her interviews that her daughter Ivanka has no problem with Melania.

“She likes her fine, because she didn’t cause me to break up the marriage like the other one—I don’t even want to pronounce her name,” Ivana said.

Ivana was referring to Donald’s second wife, Maples. According to previous reports, Donald and Ivana’s marriage fell apart after he started an affair with the model. There were claims that Ivanka and Melania are “cordial but not close.”

In Kate Bennett’s book “Free, Melania: The Unauthorized Biography,” an insider claimed that the first lady felt that the first daughter was “invading her turf.” However, Melania’s spokesperson Stephanie Grisham denied it by saying that Donald’s daughter and wife have always “shared a close relationship and still do today.”

When Melania was asked about her husband’s ex-wives Ivana and Maples, there was a sound of stiffness in her voice. “We don’t see each other. That was his past life,” the FLOTUS said.

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a fashion-industry consultant who has known Melania for over 20 years, shared that Melania’s “even keel” contributes to their successful relationship. Melania went into marrying Donald with full understanding who he was and she accepted it.

For instance, they have different takes on parenting. Even before they welcomed their son Barron, Donald said that he would not be a hands-on parent. When Melania was asked if Donald changed Barron’s diaper, she said the POTUS didn’t and added that it was fine with her.

Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, are pictured at Central Park's Wollman Rink in April 2011
Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, are pictured at Central Park's Wollman Rink in April 2011 GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Andy Kropa