Few names from the 1990s tabloid era still spark curiosity the way Marla Maples does — not just for her marriage to Donald Trump, but for the life she built after it. From a small-town childhood in Georgia to the gilded halls of the Plaza Hotel, her story took a turn few expected; today, she’s a wellness advocate, foundation founder, and a public figure who has quietly rewritten her own narrative — with answers to the questions readers still ask most.
Born: October 27, 1963 ·
Birthplace: Cohutta, Georgia ·
Age: 61 (as of 2025) ·
Children: 1 daughter (Tiffany Trump) ·
Known for: Second wife of Donald Trump ·
Profession: Actress, model, TV host, singer
Quick snapshot
- Married Donald Trump in December 1993 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City (The New York Times)
- Mother of Tiffany Trump, born in 1993 (Wikipedia)
- Co-founded the Global Wellness Forum (Marla Maples Official Site)
- Exact divorce settlement amount — estimates range from $2 million to $20 million depending on the source (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Precise wording of the Aspen confrontation with Ivana Trump relies on secondhand accounts (Biography)
- Filed to start a not-for-profit wellness foundation on January 16, 2025 (Showbiz411)
- Continues public speaking, wellness advocacy, and foundation initiatives (Pop Culture Daily UK)
- Active on social media with regular updates to her audience (Instagram)
The snapshot separates documented biography from figures that still vary by source.
Eight key facts, one pattern: a life that moved from the public stage into a quieter, purpose-driven second act.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marla Ann Maples |
| Birth Date | October 27, 1963 |
| Birthplace | Cohutta, Georgia, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Spouse | Donald Trump (m. 1993; div. 1999) |
| Children | 1 daughter: Tiffany Trump (b. 1993) |
| Occupation | Actress, television host, singer, model, wellness advocate |
| Website / Social | Instagram: @itsmarlamaples; Facebook: @itsMarlaMaples |
How Did Ivana Find Out About Marla Maples?
The Aspen Confrontation
- Ivana Trump reportedly learned of the affair in 1990 while skiing in Aspen, Colorado, when Marla Maples allegedly confronted her directly (CNN).
- In her memoir, Ivana recounted the moment: “She said, ‘I’m the other woman’” (People).
The confrontation turned a private affair into a public spectacle. Within days, the story was splashed across New York tabloids, and the Trump marriage became front-page news.
Media Frenzy and Tabloid Coverage
- The story dominated headlines through 1990 and 1991, with Maples dubbed “the other woman” in the press (CNN).
- Tabloid circulation soared as details of the affair and the subsequent divorce from Ivana Trump fueled public fascination (Britannica).
The implication: the Aspen encounter didn’t just end a marriage — it launched a media template for celebrity scandal coverage that would define the decade.
What Happened Between Marla Maples and Donald Trump?
Courtship and Wedding
- Donald Trump and Marla Maples married in December 1993 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, a property Trump then owned (The New York Times).
- Their daughter Tiffany was born just months before the wedding, in October 1993 (Wikipedia).
The marriage was a gilded affair, but the foundation was shaky from the start. Trump’s business empire was under pressure, and the couple faced relentless media scrutiny.
Separation and Divorce
- They separated in 1997 and finalized their divorce in 1999, citing irreconcilable differences (Britannica).
- Trump’s business demands and the strain of public life were cited as contributing factors in press reports (People).
The trade-off: the marriage gave Maples a platform but also a spotlight she had not chosen. The divorce, though painful, opened the door for a life outside the tabloid frame.
How Much Money Did Marla Maples Get From Donald Trump?
Divorce Settlement Details
- Marla Maples received a reported $2 million divorce settlement plus a house in Connecticut, according to multiple media accounts (Celebrity Net Worth).
- She waived alimony and any future claims against Trump’s assets, a key term of the agreement (ComingSoon).
Ongoing Financial Arrangements
- More recent net-worth estimates for Maples vary widely: Celebrity Net Worth puts her at $6 million, while TheRichest has historically estimated $20 million (TheRichest).
- A 2025 profile from Market Realist also estimated her net worth at about $6 million (Market Realist).
The catch: the $2 million figure is the only number tied directly to the divorce filing. The broader net-worth estimates include her own earnings from acting, speaking, and business ventures, which she built independently after the marriage ended.
What Ever Happened to Marla Maples?
Wellness Advocacy and Foundation Work
- Marla Maples co-founded the Global Wellness Forum, an organization focused on mental, spiritual, and physical wellness (Marla Maples Official Site).
- She also founded the Marla Maples Foundation, which supports nonprofit activities promoting health and wellness (Marla Maples Official Site).
- In January 2025, she filed to establish a not-for-profit wellness foundation, signaling a new phase of her philanthropic work (Showbiz411).
Marla Maples has built a post-marriage identity that runs parallel to, not in reaction to, her Trump years. Her foundation work and wellness advocacy are the scaffolding of a public life she chose on her own terms.
Current Media and Appearances
- She continues to work as an actress, speaker, and wellness advocate, with appearances on podcasts and at wellness events (IMDb).
- She maintains an active presence on Instagram (@itsmarlamaples) and Facebook, where she shares her daily life and wellness philosophy (Facebook).
Why this matters: after decades in the public eye, Maples has shifted from being a subject of headlines to the author of her own story — one rooted in health, spirituality, and family.
Do Marla Maples and Melania Get Along?
Public Statements and Mutual Respect
- Marla Maples has publicly stated she has “nothing but love and respect” for Melania Trump (People).
- She has made it clear she holds no ill will and wishes Melania well, a stance she has repeated in multiple interviews (CNN).
Family Dynamics
- Maples has expressed support for Tiffany Trump’s relationship with her stepmother Melania, praising the bond they share (Biography).
- She has emphasized that her focus remains on her own wellness work and on being a supportive mother to Tiffany (Marla Maples Official Site).
The pattern: Maples has consistently chosen grace over grievance. Her public comments about Melania and the broader Trump family reflect a deliberate decision to close that chapter without bitterness.
Timeline
- 1963 — Marla Maples born in Cohutta, Georgia (Northern Focus)
- Late 1980s — Begins modeling and acting career in New York (IMDb)
- 1990 — Alleged confrontation with Ivana Trump in Aspen reveals affair (Britannica)
- 1993 — Birth of daughter Tiffany; marriage to Donald Trump in December (People)
- 1997 — Separation from Donald Trump (ComingSoon)
- 1999 — Divorce finalized; receives settlement (TheRichest)
- 2000s — Returns to acting and TV appearances (Rotten Tomatoes)
- 2010s–present — Focuses on wellness advocacy, co-founds Global Wellness Forum and Marla Maples Foundation (Marla Maples Official Site)
The pattern: the public chapters are bookended by two private decisions — leaving the tabloid spotlight and building a wellness-centered platform.
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Marla Maples was married to Donald Trump from 1993 to 1999 (Market Realist).
- She is the mother of Tiffany Trump (Wikipedia).
- She co-founded the Global Wellness Forum and founded the Marla Maples Foundation (Facebook).
What’s unclear
- Exact divorce settlement amount is not publicly official; estimates range from $2 million to $20 million (Romper).
- Precise wording of the Aspen confrontation varies by source and is based on secondhand accounts (Biography).
- Net-worth estimates in 2025 range from $4 million to $20 million depending on the methodology used (Northern Focus).
What this means: the verified biography is stable, while the financial details are the only area where estimates still move.
In Her Own Words
“I have nothing but love and respect for Melania.”
— Marla Maples, on her relationship with Melania Trump (People)
“She said, ‘I’m the other woman.’”
— Ivana Trump, recounting the Aspen confrontation in her memoir (Biography)
“Faith over fear.”
— Marla Maples, TEDx talk on personal growth and resilience (Marla Maples Official Site)
Marla Maples’ story is not a cautionary tale about a tabloid marriage — it’s a case study in reinvention. For a woman who entered the public eye through someone else’s spotlight, the choice to build a grounded, purpose-driven life on her own terms is the most consequential move she’s made. For readers following her journey, the implication is clear: the second act matters more than the first, and Maples is writing hers with intention.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marla Maples still alive?
Yes, Marla Maples is alive and active as of 2025. She continues her wellness advocacy work and maintains a public presence on social media and at speaking events (Instagram).
Is Marla Maples married again?
As of early 2025, Marla Maples is not married and has not remarried since her divorce from Donald Trump in 1999 (Pop Culture Daily UK).
What is Marla Maples’ net worth?
Estimates vary. Celebrity Net Worth places it at $6 million, while other sources have estimated between $4 million and $20 million. The $2 million divorce settlement from Trump forms a known baseline (Celebrity Net Worth).
Does Donald Trump regret divorcing Ivana?
Trump has made public statements expressing regret about aspects of his divorce from Ivana Trump, but the question remains speculative. No definitive public statement addresses this directly with regard to Marla Maples (CNN).
Who found Ivana Trump’s death?
Ivana Trump was found deceased at her home in New York City on July 14, 2022. The New York City Medical Examiner ruled her death an accident resulting from blunt impact injuries. This is a separate event from Marla Maples’ story (CNN).
How many children does Marla Maples have?
Marla Maples has one daughter, Tiffany Trump, born in October 1993 (Wikipedia).
The through-line: the questions that once defined her public story now sit alongside a second act of her own making.
Related reading
- Katie Holmes: Relationships, Divorce, and Suri Cruise
- Christy Turlington: Ethnicity, Husband, Childbirth & Health
The suggested reads pair Maples with other public figures who reshaped their narratives after public relationships and careers.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.