Marla Maples, the second wife of Donald Trump, stepped away from the spotlight after their divorce and chose a quieter, more grounded lifestyle focused on raising their daughter. Here’s a closer look at her journey — and where she is today.
Born on October 27, 1963, in Cohutta, Georgia, Maples has described her upbringing as “storybook-perfect.” Popular and athletic in high school, she was crowned homecoming queen and later enrolled at the University of Georgia to study marketing. However, she left college after about two and a half years, setting her sights on New York City — a move that would dramatically shape her future.
Maples first met Donald Trump in 1985, during a time when his marriage to Ivana Trump was reportedly strained. She later recalled feeling an immediate connection but said the timing wasn’t right. Over the years, they stayed in contact, often speaking privately by phone. By the late 1980s, she realized her feelings had deepened.
As rumors about Trump’s marriage intensified, Maples found herself unwillingly pulled into public scrutiny. A widely publicized encounter between her and Ivana in Colorado made headlines, marking the moment the situation became painfully public. Soon after, news broke that Donald and Ivana were divorcing.
Although Maples initially tried to distance herself from the drama, she and Trump eventually began dating openly. She later described being swept up in his charisma and larger-than-life lifestyle. However, being with Trump meant living under constant public attention and maintaining a polished, high-glamour image, something she later admitted made her feel like she had lost part of herself.
In 1993, Maples and Trump married and welcomed their daughter, Tiffany Trump, that same year. Their marriage, however, lasted only six years, ending in divorce in 1999. Maples later reflected that they were simply very different people who ultimately weren’t the right match.
Before marrying, she signed a strict prenuptial agreement. Reports at the time indicated that the settlement included $1 million if the marriage ended within five years, plus an additional $1 million toward purchasing a home. Child support arrangements were also carefully structured.
Following the divorce, Maples largely withdrew from high-profile celebrity life. She relocated to Los Angeles with Tiffany, settling in Calabasas and focusing on creating a stable, grounded upbringing for her daughter. Drawing inspiration from her own Southern roots, she embraced a more “rural” style of living — cooking organic meals, enjoying simple evenings at home, and prioritizing quality time together.
Maples has said that raising Tiffany as a single mother wasn’t easy, but she never saw herself as a victim. She made efforts to ensure Tiffany maintained a relationship with her father, arranging regular visits to New York.
Though she stepped back from the political spotlight during Trump’s presidencies, Maples continued pursuing creative and wellness-focused ventures. Over the years, she appeared in projects such as Dallas, Clueless, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and even interviewed Michael Jordan for Inside Edition. In 2013, she released a music album titled The Endless and later competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2016.
Health and spirituality have become central to Maples’ life. She frequently shares yoga, fitness, and wellness content with her followers. After spending years in California, she eventually returned to New York, where she began developing SoulShine Journeys, a spiritual travel initiative focused on reflection and personal growth.
In 2025, she entered a new chapter as a grandmother when Tiffany and her husband, Michael Boulos, welcomed their son, Alexander Trump Boulos. Embracing the role wholeheartedly, Maples affectionately dubbed herself “Gran Mar Mar,” expressing overwhelming joy at becoming a grandmother.
Today, at 62, Marla Maples appears content living life on her own terms — prioritizing family, faith, wellness, and personal evolution far from the tabloid frenzy that once defined her public image.
