On Monday, April 3, 2017, first lady Melania Trump’s official White House portrait was released, according to a CNN Report. The first to break the news was Trump’s newly hired press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, via tweet. Grisham also included a link to the former model’s new portrait on the whitehouse.gov site. CNN indicates the photo was taken by famed photographer Regine Mahaux in the White House’s West Sitting Hall, a quaint and quiet area of the private residence. Mahaux is well known for her portraits of elite figures that include the likes of actress Hilary Swank and former Victoria’s Secret model Karolína Kurková.
For her portrait, Trump, a former model herself, cut a striking figure in a monochromatic silhouette.
The first lady’s portrait put her eye-catching jewelry on full display
For the shoot, Mrs. Trump opted for a simple black jacket, paired with a sequined neckerchief of the same color, per the CNN report. The portrait also highlighted the Slovenia native's massive diamond engagement ring, a gift given to her by her billionaire husband and newly-elected US president Donald Trump. Reports have stated the ring may be as much as 25 carats, which, if accurate, could mean it came with a price tag as high as $5 million. This estimate comes by way of a similar appraisal of popular Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane's 2010 proposal ring by Staley Cheroff of NYC Wholesale Diamonds.
Mrs. Trump has been modeling for years
Melania Trump is no stranger to the camera, as sources state she started modeling in January of 1987 when she was just 17- over three decades ago. She was discovered by Slovenian photographer Stane Jerko as he returned home from a shoot, he says. NBC Today reports that the visual artist described her as a "tall, slender, and attractive long-haired girl with distinct eyes," and claimed her striking features instantly caught his attention.
He went on to say that she was initially shy and reserved, but quickly adapted an authentic and natural presence in front of the camera. That presence and distinct look took her to Milan, Paris, and New York City for high-end fashion shoots, before she married President Trump in 2005.
The 45th first lady's portrait can be seen next to her biography on the White House's website.
