Model Alva Chinn on the Battle of Versailles and Her Friendship with Yves Saint Laurent

It was meant to raise money for the restoration of the palace, and its official name was the Grand Divertissement à Versailles, but what happened more than 50 years ago at King Louis’s home is better remembered as a watershed moment for American fashion—and as the Battle of Versailles. Alva Chinn was one of the 10 black models on the American roster of more than 30. “My favorite moment,” she says, “was walking in the candlelit Hall of Mirrors after the show. I wasn’t thinking of myself as a model.I was thinking of history and how, though there was royalty present, the people were here to rebuild it.”

Chinn wore Oscar de la Renta. “When I first met him­—Audrey Smaltz brought me up to take pictures forEbonymagazine—he said, ‘You remind me of home’. You can’t get past that kind of touching moment.” Signs of those times, when creative and model were connected, still appear to Chinn constantly. “I was in the YSL museum, and I was looking at this black velvet long skirt. I looked at the little picture, and of course I didn’t have my glasses on. I thought the girl looked familiar. And then I realized it was me!”

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Chinn remembers when “energy was what made things really happen. You know? Oscar put me in touch with Valentino. I didn’t know anything about him, or couture, at all. I had to go up to his hotel, and he said, ‘Walk.’ So I walked. And then he said, ‘Do you want to travel?’ ‘Yes.’ The optimal word is yes. Three letters that make so much sense. He puts me in a pink wool, and he hands me a square card with a number on it. ‘You walk and show them your number.’ I knew I had to take my jacket off to show the blouse underneath. The sign was square, and the arm round. So when I walked to the end of the room, I threw the card into the audience and took the jacket off. It got me a job that I hadn’t been booked for in ItalianBazaar. Be authentically yourself. That was an affirmation.”

This story appears in the May 2026 issue ofTown & Country.SUBSCRIBE NOW

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April 29, 2026

Model Alva Chinn on the Battle of Versailles and Her Friendship with Yves Saint Laurent

It was meant to raise money for the restoration of the palace, and its official name was the Grand Divertissement à Versailles, but wha...

Read More

Keir Starmer to face vote which could spark probe into whether he misled MPs over Mandelson

Sir Keir Starmer faces a vote from MPs on whether to launch a sleaze inquiry into thePeter Mandelson vetting sagain what will be a crucial day for the future of his premiership.

Sir Lindsay Hoyleconfirmed on Monday that MPs would be allowed to debate whether or not the prime minister should be referred to the powerful Commons Privileges Committee for a probe into whether he misled parliament over the disgraced peer’s appointment as US ambassador.

The committee was responsible for Boris Johnson’s exit from frontline politics after it investigated him for misleading the House over the “partygate” breaches of Covid-19 laws in Downing Street.

It will come on the same day as his former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and former top civil servant Sir Philip Barton – both of whom played key roles in the appointment of Lord Mandelson – will give evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr McSweeney was widely regarded as a protege of the former US ambassador and pushed for his appointment, while Sir Philip was the predecessor of Sir Olly Robbins – who was sacked by Sir Keir for failing to tell ministers that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting.

Sir Philip left the department in January 2025, eight months earlier than expected. The committee is expected to examine whether he left his post as a result of his opposition to Lord Mandelson’s appointment.

As the prime minister faces pressure from all sides on the Mandelson saga, he will also have his attention diverted by a meeting of the Middle East Response Committee, as part of an attempt to mitigate the economic impacts of the Iran war, and by King Charles’s address to the US Congress, both of which are taking place on Tuesday.

On the same day, the Commons will vote on whether to refer the PM to the Privileges Committee to consider if he misled MPs when he claimed “due process” was followed in Lord Mandelson’s appointment, and that there was “no pressure whatsoever”.

It comes after it emerged that the Foreign Office decided to appoint the Labour grandee despite the fact that he failed the vetting process.

The prime minister repeatedly told MPs that he and his ministers only found out thatUK Security Vetting had advised Lord Mandelson should be denied clearance for the rolelast Tuesday evening, despiteThe Independentraising concerns that he had failed vetting last September and running a front page story on it –prompting claims of a cover-up.

Labour’s huge majority in the Commons means such a vote would almost certainly not pass, especially as Labour MPs are expected to be whipped to vote against the motion, but it could still be damaging for the prime minister.

As first revealed byThe Independent, MPs from both sides of the House, includingLabour,are understood to have written to the speaker requesting that the committee, which deals with serious disciplinary issues in parliament, investigate the PM.

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In the wake of Sir Lindsay’s decision to allow MPs to debate the issue, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed that the “facts are overwhelming”.

“The prime minister misled the House of Commons, repeatedly,” she claimed. “He appointed a national security risk and friend of a convicted paedophile, to be our ambassador in Washington, our most sensitive diplomatic post. He pretended that full due process was followed for this appointment. It was not.”

Ms Badenoch argued that the prime minister must “be held to the same standards he held previous prime ministers to”, warning: “There is no room for hypocrisy.”

She added: “Every MP now faces a matter of conscience, not party, conscience. Do they cover this up or do they vote to seek the truth?”

But a No 10 spokesperson dismissed the attempt to launch a parliamentary inquiry as a “desperate political stunt by the Conservative Party”.

A number of MPs and former parliamentarians have referred to the precedent set during the Partygate probe into Mr Johnson, when the Tories failed to use their majority to oppose the inquiry, and their MPs on the committee “put party second” in finding him guilty.

It comes as concerns grow among Labour MPs across different factions of the party that the government plans to whip to block the vote.

However, the Tories are going to push the fact that they did not oppose the motion when Boris Johnson was referred to the committee for misleading parliament.

One former Cabinet minister said: “We did set something of a precedent, but I think we have some moral authority on the issue because of the way we allowed the inquiry to take place into Boris. This is a question of putting integrity before party.”

Sir Ed Davey also piled pressure on Sir Keir not to whip his MPs to oppose his referral to the Privileges Committee, saying: “Even Boris Johnson didn’t block his MPs voting for scrutiny.

“MPs must be given a free vote on any motion to refer Starmer, not forced into being accomplices to a cover-up."

Over the weekend, Cabinet minister Darren Jones insisted there is “no case to answer” when asked about a potential referral of Sir Keir to the sleaze inquiry, as well as accusing the Conservatives of “using tactics” ahead of local elections.

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April 29, 2026

Keir Starmer to face vote which could spark probe into whether he misled MPs over Mandelson

Sir Keir Starmer faces a vote from MPs on whether to launch a sleaze inquiry into thePeter Mandelson vetting sagain what will be a cruc...

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King Charles Did Not Mention Epstein Survivors in His Congress Address

Inhis address to Congress today,King Charles did not acknowledge the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse despite reports that he could.

That speculation began with Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, whohosted a roundtable of Epstein survivors this morningafter his request for a meeting between survivors and King Charles was denied. “I met with the British ambassador—the British ambassador has suggested that the king will acknowledge the Epstein survivors in his address to Congress today,” Khanna said. “I hope his flunkies don’t take out the acknowledgment from his text and I fully expect the king to be acknowledging the survivors—the Epstein survivors—in his speech to our nation and Congress this afternoon.” (The roundtablecan be watched on C-SPAN.)

King Charles’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,was stripped of his titles over his connections to the convicted sex offenderandwas arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public officefor sharing private information with Epstein. Buckingham Palace says that King Charles and Queen Camilla cannot meet with Epstein survivors while legal proceedings are underway in the UK. “There are some very clear legal reasons why it’s not correct for him to meet those survivors,” Ambassador Christian Turner told theHill.

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In February, Prince Edwardbecame the first royal to directly address the release of the Epstein fileswhen he was put on the spot about it on a trip to Dubai on February 3 and replied, “I think it’s really important always to remember the victims.”

A week later, aBuckingham Palace spokesperson said, “The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct. While the specific claims in question are for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect. As was previously stated, Their Majesties’ thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.”

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King Charles Did Not Mention Epstein Survivors in His Congress Address

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Zack Polanksi tells Ed Balls that he is ‘why people hate the media’ in heated Good Morning Britain clash

Zack Polanskiclashed withEd Ballsin a heatedGood Morning Britaininterview, during which the Green Party declared that “this is why people hate the media”.

On Monday (27 April), following a grilling of his party’s policies, the politician hit out at the presenter for his links to Labour.

Mr Balls was a Labour MP from 2005 to 2015. He served as shadow chancellor from 2011 to 2015, and is married to foreign secretary Yvette Cooper.

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“Do you know what I'm enjoying, the fact that a Labour politician, who is married to a senior Labour minister, is allowed to ask questions of the leader of the Green Party,” Mr Polanksi said.

Mr Balls hit back and stressed that he has not been a Labour politician since 2015.

As the heated exchange continued, Mr Polanski went on to criticise Mr Balls and co-host Susanna Reid for their interviewing ability. “You want to just do shock jock tactics,” he said, which he claimed fuelled the public’s distrust of the media.

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April 28, 2026

Zack Polanksi tells Ed Balls that he is ‘why people hate the media’ in heated Good Morning Britain clash

Zack Polanskiclashed withEd Ballsin a heatedGood Morning Britaininterview, during which the Green Party declared that “this is why peop...

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It is first lady Melania Trump's birthday. What has she done this year?

It is first ladyMelania Trump's birthday today, April 26.

On April 25, Trump was evacuated from theWhite House Correspondents' dinnerafter gunshots were heard in the hotel where the event was taking place, which the president called a "rather traumatic experience" for her.

Trump spent much of her first year back in the White House with a low profile, but throughout 2026 she has stepped into the spotlight with herown documentary, a surpriseJeffrey Epstein announcement, and a historic appearance before theUnited Nations Security Council.

Melania Trumpturns 56 this year. Last year, she attendedPope Francis' funeral on her birthday. Here is what to know about the first lady on her birthday:

What the first lady is doing:Melania Trump adds mini White House beehive to South Lawn

Donald Trump stands with his wife Melania on the final night of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 21, 2016.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump waves to supporters in the inaugural parade in Washington on Jan. 20, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump and her son Barron Trump chat as they wait for the beginning of the swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump in front of the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump waves to spectators as Vice President-elect Mike Pence and Melania Trump at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Mike Pence and his wife Karen, wave goodbye to former President Barack Obama's helicopter as it departs from the US Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump arrives to a joint session of the U.S. Congress with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Feb. 28, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Queen Rania of Jordan and first lady Melania Trump walk along the Colonnade of the White House in Washington on April 5, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump (R) shakes hands with employees during a visit to the GE All-Women Business Process Services and IT Centre in Saudi capital Riyadh on May 21, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rex Tillerson (left) and Melania Trump arrive for the Arab Islamic American Summit at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh on May 21, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump (right) and Sara Netanyahu speak in Tel Aviv, Israel on May 22, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump arrives at the Apostolic Palace for an audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City, Vatican on May 24, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump arrives to visit the Queen Fabiola children's hospital, on the sidelines of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit in Brussels, Belgium on May 25, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump, Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Ingrid Schulerud arrive to pose for a family photo before a dinner of the first ladies in Brussels, Belgium on May 25, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump joins Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Ingrid Schulerud, Desislava Radeva, among others in Brussels, Belgium on May 25, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> First Mayor of Hamburg Olaf Scholz welcomes first lady Melania Trump (left) on the second day of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on July 8, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump (left) and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau pose for White House photographs at the White House in Washington on Oct. 11, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump and former South Korean first lady Kim Jung-Sook walk during a welcoming ceremony held in Seoul, South Korea on Nov. 7, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 95th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington on Nov. 30, 2017.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump arrives to greet children at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington on Dec. 7, 2017

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar presents Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump (right) with a bowl of shamrocks in Washington on March 15, 2018.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump stand with French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron ahead of a White House State Dinner on April 24, 2018.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump steps out of her motorcade before boarding an Air Force plane and traveling to Texas to visit facilities that house and care for children taken from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border on June 21, 2018.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump departs Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland wearing the infamous "I DON'T REALLY CARE, DO U?" Zara jacket on June 21, 2018. She was en route to visit facilities at the U.S.-Mexico border.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Frech first lady Brigitte Macron and first lady Melania Trump (right) pose at the Chateau de Versailles in Versailles, France on Nov. 11, 2018.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump speaks between Melania Trump and Mike Pence at the Congressional Ball at White House in Washington on Dec. 15, 2018.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive to speak to members of the US military during an unannounced trip to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq on Dec. 26, 2018.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrive at a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London, England on Jan. 3, 2019.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One at the Palm Beach International Airport on the way to Mar-a-Lago Club in West Palm Beach, Florida on Jan. 20, 2020.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump arrives to the Trump-Biden presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio on Sept. 29, 2020,

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House on Nov. 24, 2020.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump gestures as he arrives with first lady Melania Trump for a rally in Valdosta, Georgia on Dec. 5, 2020.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump attends Donald Trump's second Inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive to address guests after his inauguration at the U.S Capitol building on Jan 20, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump attends inauguration ceremonies in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Donald Trump first lady Melania Trump arrives at the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump at the Commander-in-Chief Ball in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the National Governors Association Evening Dinner and Reception in Washington on Feb. 22, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion on the "Take It Down Act" at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump attends U.S. President Donald Trump address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump delivers remarks during the International Women of Courage Award ceremony in Washington on April 1, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump greets guests during the White House Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 21, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump speaks during an event to celebrate Military Mothers in the East Room of the White House on May 8, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the signing ceremony for the TAKE IT DOWN Act in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 19, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the Kennedy Center in Washington on June 11, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump applauds during a military parade alongside his wife Melania Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) in Washington on June 14, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Donald Trump arrives with first lady Melania Trump to sign the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" at the White House on July 4, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump and Queen Camilla during the ceremonial State visit welcome during in Windsor, England on Sept. 17, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump (right), King Charles III and Queen Camilla (left) arrive at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Queen Camilla and first lady Melania Trump (left) tour the Royal Library in Windsor, England on Sept. 18, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump takes the stage ahead of her remarks during the Navy 250 Celebration in Norfolk, Virginia, on Oct. 5, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump accepts the Patriot of the Year award from Sean Hannity onstage during the 2025 Fox Nation Patriot Awards in Greenvale, New York, on Nov. 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump speaks alongside President Donald Trump during the "Fostering the Future" executive order signing ceremony at White House on Nov. 13, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump prepares to greet Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia at the White House on Nov. 18, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Donald Trump, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, and first lady Melania Trump prepare to attend a dinner at the White House on Nov. 18, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> First lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump arrive for the 78th annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation on Nov. 25, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump arrives for a Red Cross holiday care package event inside a Joint Base Andrew hangar on Dec. 1, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in the 103rd National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House Ellipse on Dec. 4, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors at The Kennedy Center in Washington on Dec. 7, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> First lady Melania Trump rings the NYSE Opening Bell to celebrate the release of her film "Melania" at the New York Stock Exchange on Jan. 28, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump attends the "Melania" world premiere at the Kennedy Center on Jan. 29, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the "Melania" world premiere on Jan. 29, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend a dinner with state governors at the White House on Feb. 21, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ivanka Trump, Barron Trump, second lady Usha Vance (behind) and first lady Melania Trump (center) as President Trump delivers the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 24, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump stands with ambassadors, including United States UN ambassador Mike Waltz at the UN headquarters in New York on March 2, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump arrives in the White House Cross Hall to deny ties to Jeffrey Epstein during a press conference held April 9, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump delivers a statement denying any ties to Jeffrey Epstein at the White House on April 9, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Melania Trump (right) and Queen Màxima of the Netherlands enter the White House on April 13, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See Melania Trump's style during two terms in The White House

Donald Trump stands with his wife Melania on the final night of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 21, 2016.

What has Melania Trump done as first lady?

In 2025, Melania Trump made just a smattering of appearances after championing theTake it Down Act, which was signed into law on May 19. Over the summer, she took a nearly two-month-long hiatus from public life before appearing at an AI event in September. She went on to host a number of events for the holidays as well.

But we have seen more of the first lady in 2026. She promoted her documentary"Melania"heavily when it came out in January. She recently made history as the first first lady to sit in for the Security Council presidency at the UN. She convened an international summit for her Fostering the Future initiative, where she debuted ahumanoid robotthat she says could help teach students.

She especially shocked the world when she called a press conference to make an announcement denying she had a friendship with Epstein and calling on Congress to have a public hearing for survivors.

Melania Trump also met with lawmakers recently to discuss legislation to improve the foster system, as highlighted in theApril 23 First Lady's Luncheon.

When did Melania meetDonald Trump?

The first lady posted an excerpt fromher memoir "Melania"onsocial mediathat tells the story of how she met her husband.

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She said she metDonald Trumpat the Kit Kat Klub on a Saturday night in September 1998 while at a party with her friend.

“'Hi, I’m Donald Trump,' the man said when he reached my table. 'Nice to meet you.' I recognized the name, and I knew he was a businessman or celebrity, but not much else. He put his hand out to shake mine," she wrote in her book. "His eyes filled with curiosity and interest, and, seizing the opportunity, he took the seat next to mine and started a conversation."

She also wrote that he was accompanied by a beautiful date, so she didn't think much of it at the time, but she was "drawn to his magnetic energy."

They were married in 2005 and had one child together,Barron Trump, the following year.

Is Melania Trump an American citizen?

Yes, she is the only first lady to be a naturalized citizen.

What nationality is Melania Trump?

Melania Trump was born in Slovenia.

How old is Melania Trump?

Melania Trump turns 56 years old on April 26, and Donald Trump is 79 years old.

How tall is Melania Trump?

First ladyMelania Trumpis 5'11".

Contributing: Jay Stahl, Christopher Cann, Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her onX (Twitter),Threads,BlueskyandTikTok.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Melania Trump's birthday falls after WHCA dinner evacuation

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April 28, 2026

It is first lady Melania Trump's birthday. What has she done this year?

It is first ladyMelania Trump's birthday today, April 26. On April 25, Trump was evacuated from theWhite House Correspondents...

Read More