What Vanessa Trump Has Been Doing Since Divorcing Donald Jr.
Vanessa Trump and Donald Trump Jr. announced the end of their marriage in the spring of 2018, according to Page Six, and their divorce was finalized by year's end. "We are incredibly lucky to have five amazing children and are committed to raising them together," they said in a joint statement via People in early 2019. "Our kids and their happiness will always be our first priority."
However, in the months between their initial announcement and the split being finalized, the former couple switched their divorce from uncontested divorce to contested, reportedly due to a dispute over child custody and finances, per the Daily Mail.
In the end, Vanessa and Don Jr. came to an agreement, and Don Jr. soon began dating former Fox News personality, Kimberly Guilfoyle. The relationship began in June 2019, before the Trumps' divorce was finalized, which sparked some criticism. However, Vanessa came to the couple's defense on Twitter, writing, "The lengths people will go to attack a woman simply because she's dating Don. We've been separated for over 9 months and respect each other's decisions & privacy." She continued, "We'll focus on raising our great kids. Would be nice if the press did the same rather than obsess over our pvt [sic] lives!"
Find out after the jump how Vanessa has moved on and what options may be available to her post-divorce.
Vanessa Trump's marriage faced infidelity rumors
Vanessa Trump had a privileged life before marrying into the Trump family. She grew up in New York City's Upper East Side, The New York Times reported, and her mother, Bonnie Haydon, owned a modeling agency. Vanessa also became a model and signed with one of the top agencies, Wilhelmina Models. She even collected an acting credit for appearing in the opening scene of the 2003 movie Something's Gotta Give with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, per Town & Country. In that same year, Vanessa first met Donald Trump Jr. as well as his father, Donald Trump, at a fashion show. Vanessa and Don Jr. were married two years later at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in a star-studded ceremony, People reported, with Don Jr.'s aunt, then-Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, officiating.
Vanessa and Don Jr.'s 12-year marriage later faced rumors of infidelity. When the couple announced their split, a model posted on Twitter that she allegedly had been dating Don Jr. in 2011, according to The Cut. Melissa Stetten showed a screenshot of a flirty DM Don Jr. allegedly sent her and wrote, "Surprised his marriage didn't work out since he was sending me DMs a month after his wife gave birth."
However, the biggest scandal involved former Celebrity Apprentice and Danity Kane member Aubrey O'Day. Don Jr. and O'Day allegedly began an affair during the show's fifth season in 2011. During an appearance on Ex on the Beach, O'Day called Don Jr. her soulmate, per TMZ.
Vanessa Trump is all about her kids
Vanessa Trump has kept a low profile since her divorce from Donald Trump Jr., and it appears her main focus has been on their five children — Kai, Donald III, Tristan, Spencer, and Chloe. Although Vanessa has sporadically posted on her Twitter account, she provides updates on her children and keeps up with big milestones in the Trump family. Like many parents, Vanessa is staying at home with her kids and employing at-home schooling during the coronavirus pandemic. In May 2020, Vanessa praised educators who are dealing with the new normal. "I praise all the teachers and schools that are trying to make remote learning fun and as enjoyable as possible under the circumstances," she posted. "We will all get through this! As a mom of 5, the only way this works is making learning fun!."
Vanessa's child-rearing has received praise within the Trump family, with Ivanka Trump telling People in 2016 that Vanessa is "a machine" (in a nice way). "She can take all of [my children] and not even notice," Ivanka said. "She has five children and she's Wonder Woman to me."
"(Vanessa) really is such an amazing mother and really an inspiration to me," Ivanka continued.
Vanessa Trump's future is bright
Vanessa Trump is independently wealthy thanks to a reported inheritance from her father, Charles Haydon. The late attorney invested in Rao's Specialty Foods, best known for its marinara sauce, per Page Six. The 2017 sale of the company yielded $415 million, so the math shapes up pretty nicely for Vanessa if she did inherit money from Haydon's estate.
Vanessa's former modeling manager, Christine Schott, had a suggestion for her client's next move. Schott, who was present when Vanessa met Don Jr. at the fashion show, told The New York Times in 2018, "I think she could still have a nice career. She could be a mommy blogger and she could take on a cause. She is in a position to do something great."
Although her modeling days may be behind her, Vanessa could also return to fashion as a designer. People reported that Vanessa designed her own wedding dress when she married Don Jr., and like Ivanka, Vanessa released a line of fashion handbags from 2010 to 2013, according to Closer Weekly. Vanessa may see herself returning to her roots as she embarks on a new life. TBD.