Melania Trump looks so different in throwback photo as she turns 54

Melania Trump is turning 54, and she's certainly changed a lot over the years.

A throwback photo from 1998, when the former model was snapped with then-boyfriend Donald Trump, shows Melania looking incredibly different to now. 

© Ron Galella

These days the former-first lady opts for caramel tones streaked through her voluminous brown hair, dressing more conservatively for the role of a politician's wife. But as she attended the premiere for Celebrity at the Lincoln Center in New York, Melania pushed the boat out in full 90s style.

© Alex Wong

She wore a slinky, blue satin slip dress as she accompanied the businessman to the premiere. Her hair was brown and layered, without the highlights, and her eyebrows were - in classic 90s style - pencil thin. She paired the look with a neutral, glossy lip as she smiled at the cameras.

© Ron Galella

At the time of the photo, Trump had been separated from second wife Marla Maples for over a year. They would divorce in 1999, only having daughter Tiffany together. 

Trump also shares Don Jr., Ivanka, and Eric with ex-wife Ivana. A year after marrying the entrepreneur, Melania gave birth to son Barron on March 20, 2006. Barron, who speaks Slovenian as well as English, is actually set to graduate from high school this year.

© Alon Skuy

Although Donald and Melania have been married for almost 20 years, the former president couldn't spend the special day with her as he is currently facing trial in New York.

The 77-year-old wished his wife a long-distance happy birthday from the steps of the lower Manhattan courthouse, where he faces charges for paying so-called hush money to alleged mistress Stormy Daniels using funds for his 2016 election campaign, which were reportedly unrecorded in the former president's accounts.

He said: "I do have to begin by wishing Melania a happy birthday", adding: "She’s in Florida." 

He added that he would "be going there this evening after this case finishes up," calling it a "horrible, unconstitutional case".

This is the first of four criminal trials he faces this year, on top of his election campaign as the Republican candidate. He also faces criminal trials regarding the Capitol Riot, the 2020 Election in the state of Georgia, and classified documents left in Mar-A-Lago.