In Pics: Melania Trump, America's First Foreign-Born First Lady In Two Centuries

Elegant with a dazzling smile, the 46-year-old native Slovenian was at her husband's side in New York early Wednesday when he declared victory - a discreet source of support, out of the camera frame.

She maintained that same low-key presence throughout the long and grueling campaign, during which she tried to humanize her husband, 24 years her elder. "He will make a fantastic president," she said less than a week ago in Pennsylvania at her only solo campaign appearance, playing up the property mogul's softer side.

Born Melanija Knavs in Slovenia - then part of Yugoslavia - to a fashion-industry mother and a car-salesman father, she studied design and architecture before leaving for Milan and Paris to launch her modelling career.

Her modelling career brought her to the United States in 1996, where two years later she met Trump. She later became his third wife.

Melania Trump became a US citizen in 2006, called it the greatest privilege.

She has tweeted photographs from high-society gatherings and major sporting events, as well as recollections of her red-carpet saunters and charity functions. In each image, Melania appears impeccably dressed.

Her Twitter account - inactive since Trump declared his candidacy - reflects the privileged lifestyle of a jet-setter travelling between a lavish New York apartment and residences in Florida.

Melania will be America's first foreign-born first lady since Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams, who was president from 1825-1829. Adams was born in England.