U.S. President Donald Trump listens as first lady Melania Trump speaks during a Women's History Month event, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. March 12, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
First Lady Melania Trump, in remarks at a White House Women’s History Month celebration, lauded herself as a “visionary” while giving advice to guests.
“As a visionary, I know success is not born overnight, but rather takes shape after long, and sometimes challenging process,” the First Lady said. She also described herself as “a mother, humanitarian, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.”
Mrs. Trump also name-dropped her new film, “Melania,” saying that she “shaped its creative direction, served as a producer, managed post production and activated the marketing campaign.”
Noting that “curiosity is a core value” that keeps her “ahead of the curve,” she said that her “unrestricted mindset” has led her to “build across very different sectors,” including, “fashion, digital assets, publishing, accessories, skincare, commercial television, and of course, filmmaking.”
Sharing advice and personal experience, Mrs. Trump told the audience, “Often alone at the top, I follow my passion. Listen to my instincts, and always maintain a laser focus.”
She also declared that the “strength of America is closely tied to the role women play in shaping their children’s character, education, and morals. The values cultivated within our communities shape the voice and vision of our next generation.”
“A woman’s influence strengthens our democracy, capital markets, and time-tested business institutions,” she said. “Across the country today, women are finding unique ways to balance career, ambition, and family."
Melania Trump is a former model and the wife of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Born Melanija Knauss in Slovenia in 1970, she began her modeling career in Europe before moving to New York in the 1990s. She met Donald Trump in 1998 and married him in 2005.
During Trump's presidency from 2017 to 2021, she served as First Lady. Melania focused her efforts on the "Be Best" campaign, addressing cyberbullying and opioid abuse. She has largely maintained a private profile compared to other political figures, rarely giving interviews or making public statements outside official duties.