Jump directly to the content
Pictured
From rags to riches

Inside the tiny rural Slovenian hometown of next First Lady Melania Trump, where her face is plastered everywhere from billboards to jam jars

Businesses in the small town of Sevnica where the model grew up have had to be ordered by her lawyers to stop using Melania's name to advertise products

THESE days, Melania Trump is used to a life of luxury in the three-storey penthouse suite of New York's Trump Tower.

In fact, she is so accustomed to it the future First Lady won't be calling the White House home after husband Donald Trump takes over the presidency in January .

 Melania Trump may be used to a life of luxury now, but her roots are far more humble
10
Melania Trump may be used to a life of luxury now, but her roots are far more humbleCredit: Getty Images

But the model hasn't always lived in such riches, having grown up in the small town of Sevnica in rural Slovenia.

Sevnica has a population of just 4,500 - a far cry from New York's eight million - and lies on the banks of the River Sava, amid forest-covered hills.

Over an hour away from the country's capital of Ljubljana, its local produce features honey, wine, and fittingly for Melania, shoes and lingerie.

 Melania was brought up in the rural town of Sevnica, Slovenia
10
Melania was brought up in the rural town of Sevnica, SloveniaCredit: Getty Images
 The town is home to just 4,500 people - a far cry from that of New York's 8.4 million where she now resides
10
The town is home to just 4,500 people - a far cry from that of New York's 8.4 million where she now residesCredit: Getty Images

America's next First Lady came from humble roots, having been born in 1970 when the country was still a part of the former Yugoslavia, to car dealer Viktor Knavs and wife Amalija.

But at 16, Melania began modelling, pursuing a career in both Milan and Paris before eventually relocating to New York in 1996.

 Melania was raised in Sevnica by car dealer Viktor Knavs and wife Amalija
10
Melania was raised in Sevnica by car dealer Viktor Knavs and wife AmalijaCredit: Getty Images

It was there that she met President-elect Donald Trump, who she married in a lavish ceremony in 2005, before giving birth to the couple's son Barron the following year.

Now, ahead of Trump's takeover of the Oval Office next year, a new industry has sprung up in Sevnica - which seemingly prides itself on offering everything from cakes to honey in Melania's name.

 The town lays on the banks of the River Sava, amid forest country
10
The town lays on the banks of the River Sava, amid forest countryCredit: Getty Images
 The town is a long way from the White House, which Melania will be able to call home after President-elect Donald Trump's term starts in January
10
The town is a long way from the White House, which Melania will be able to call home after President-elect Donald Trump's term starts in JanuaryCredit: Alamy
 A cake named after Melania Trump went on sale at one bakery in the town last month
10
A cake named after Melania Trump went on sale at one bakery in the town last monthCredit: Reuters

Last month the town's Pizzeria Rondo created a cake named after the 46-year-old, which features mascarpone with strawberry mouse and gold and silver sweets.

A burger called 'Trump', notable for its spicy pepperoni, was also added to the menu.

But it seems Melania was less than impressed by her edible tributes, as this week the restaurant received a call from her lawyers advising them that using Melania's name and photo without consent is not allowed.

 A jar of sweets named after the future First Lade also were also being sold in the town
10
A jar of sweets named after the future First Lade also were also being sold in the townCredit: Reuters

A statement issued claimed: "We have to warn the public that the names Trump or Melania Trump are protected trademarks."

The restaurant quickly changed the burger's name to the Presidential Burger, and jars of honey emblazoned with Melania's face were also swiftly removed from show shelves.

 Melania's face is on jam jars, and a range of other unusual dishes and products within the area
10
Melania's face is on jam jars, and a range of other unusual dishes and products within the areaCredit: Getty Images

However, cakes, pancakes, and even trout dishes named Melania can all still be found in the local area.

Apparently keen to cash in on the town's link to one of America's most famous families, a giant poster featuring Melania has been erected on a roundabout leading into Sevnica's.

The sign reads: "Welcome to the hometown of the First Lady of the USA".

 A billboard advertising the town as being the home of Melania has even appeared on a roundabout
10
A billboard advertising the town as being the home of Melania has even appeared on a roundaboutCredit: Reuters

Mojca Pernovsek, head of local tourism bureau, told Reuters the number of visitors have increased by around five to ten per cent this year, and that she expects a further boost in the spring, when a new tourist season starts.

She said: "Sevnica gained recognition and I believe sooner or later this will show in economic growth, in higher number of guests in local restaurants, purchases of local products and souvenirs.

"We are offering tours of the city, which has a lot to show, starting with the castle, but we would not use Melania's name without her consent."

Topics