Melania Trump and the President of the United States began their relationship many years ago, but their significant age difference later prompted her to reflect on her first impressions.

While it’s obvious that Donald Trump is considerably older than his wife of more than two decades, many people don’t realize just how wide that gap actually is.

The future First Lady met Trump in 1998 at a party held at New York’s Kit Kat Club. At the time, Melania was 28 years old, while Trump was 52—a 24-year age difference that has continued to spark discussion online, especially after he entered the political spotlight during his first presidential campaign in 2016.

By the time they crossed paths, Trump had already been married and divorced twice and was the father of four children.

Despite this, Melania later shared that dating an older man never worried her—nor did she fear public judgment or feel hesitant about the idea.

According to her, the age gap simply didn’t matter.

In her memoir, Melania explained that she felt an immediate attraction to the real estate mogul and was eager to see where the connection could lead.

“He was older than me, but at twenty-eight I felt an instant bond,” she wrote.

She described being drawn to his demeanor and presence, noting that he came across as genuine and full of energy. She said his enthusiasm for life, combined with his success and strong work ethic, felt both motivating and authentic—qualities she found deeply appealing.

Melania also recalled returning home after their first meeting feeling almost euphoric. She described the connection as rare and effortless, saying she felt comfortable with Trump right away, as if they had known each other for years. The chemistry, she wrote, was immediate and undeniable.

Still, even if Melania had no concerns, others certainly did.

Online discussions have continued to revisit their early years together. One person shared an old photo of the couple, pointing out that many people forget they’ve been together since the late 1990s. Another responded by highlighting that Trump was already in his 50s when he began dating a woman in her 20s.

Reactions varied widely. Some emphasized that Melania was a fully grown adult at 28, while others questioned the imbalance of power in the relationship. Many, however, dismissed the debate altogether.

“Who cares?” one commenter wrote, while another reacted sarcastically with a single word: “Horror.”

Regardless of public opinion, the relationship followed a conventional path. The couple eventually married, welcomed their son Barron Trump, and have remained together ever since.