Victoria Silvstedt did not arrive in Paris only to conquer the runways, but also to become part of one of those quiet, almost cinematic chapters of 1990s fashion history.
In a recent conversation with The Mirror, the Swedish supermodel revisited her time living with Melania Trump in the French capital, a period that unfolded before their lives diverged into vastly different trajectories.
© Marc PiaseckiTheir shared ambition:
Silvstedt looked back fondly on their shared apartment years, describing the future First Lady of the United States as reserved, meticulous, and intensely focused on her career.
Far from the nightlife stereotype often associated with young models in Paris, both women preferred a quieter, more domestic routine centered on work and self-discipline.
© Ron Galella“We just stuck together. We were very, very supportive of each other. We'd actually stay home most of the time”, Silvstedt told The Mirror, emphasizing the quiet bond that shaped their coexistence.
Among the more vivid memories from that period, she recalled Melania’s strict approach to fitness in everyday life. They lived on a sixth floor without an elevator, and after light meals such as tuna salad, they would often run up the stairs as part of an improvised workout routine.
© Stephane Cardinale - CorbisAccording to Silvstedt, it reflected a constant discipline rather than a passing trend. She also remembered a striking aesthetic ambition.
Melania, she said, admired Sophia Loren. “I want to be like Sofia Loren…”, she reportedly said, revealing an early fascination with classic elegance and Italian glamour.
Silvstedt described her as very sweet, grounded, and driven by a strong Slavic determination, a combination she believed helped shape her later rise.
© James DevaneySilvstedt and Melania eventually lost touch as their careers moved in different directions, through New York, international campaigns, and ultimately Melania’s marriage to Donald Trump.
Still, Silvstedt described her former roommate’s trajectory as “incredible” and “surreal”, especially when looking back at the young woman she once shared a Paris apartment with. In her telling, the transformation feels almost scripted, from a modest shared flat in Paris to the White House decades later.
© Peter KramerMelania Trump’s modeling career:
Melania Trump’s modeling career did not stop in Paris. In 1996 she left Europe for New York after being recruited by businessman Paolo Zampolli, a move that marked the beginning of her rise in the American fashion industry.
Once in Manhattan, her career expanded quickly. She appeared on Fashion Week runways, secured high-profile campaigns, and gained visibility in international publications.
© Ron GalellaOne of her most recognizable milestones came with her appearance in the 2000 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, which significantly elevated her public profile.
During this period, she also obtained the EB-1 visa, often referred to as the “Einstein visa”, reserved for individuals considered to have extraordinary ability in their field. Over time, this detail became part of the broader narrative of her transition from European model to global public figure.
© Ron GalellaA key turning point came in 1998, when she was introduced to businessman Donald Trump at a fashion industry event. That meeting ultimately reshaped her life, placing her at the center of New York high society.
The photographers who documented her early career:
Beyond Silvstedt’s recollections, several photographers who worked with Melania in different stages of her modeling career have described her in similar terms, often noting that she stood apart from many of her peers.
Stane Jerko, who discovered her in Slovenia in 1987 when she was 16, highlighted her initial shyness and her remarkable ability to learn quickly in front of the camera.
Antoine de Basseville emphasized her polished, precise appearance, which contrasted with the more extreme thinness and disheveled look often seen among some Eastern Bloc models of the time.
© Rose HartmanIn New York, Antoine Verglas photographed her in iconic sessions and described her as professional, reserved, and highly controlled about her public image, especially regarding nudity. He also noted her preference for a private lifestyle away from nightclub culture.
Over time, stylists and collaborators have said that her early modeling experience gave her an instinctive understanding of aesthetics, from posture to the smallest tailoring adjustments.
