Once a fixture in Trump Tower and a mainstay of tabloid gossip, the woman formerly married to President Donald Trump now begins her days with meditation and green juice. After a widely publicized divorce, she embraced a calmer life away from the political spotlight.
Marla Maples once stood alongside one of America’s most powerful and controversial figures, her blonde hair catching the flash of cameras as Manhattan’s elite looked on.
Marla Maples attended New York Fashion Week in New York City on February 9, 2019. | Source: Getty Images
When her headline-grabbing marriage to Donald Trump ended, Marla surprised everyone by stepping away from the glittering chaos of celebrity life and choosing a quieter existence out of the public eye.
A Glamorous Life That Felt Out of Place
Born in 1963 in the small town of Cohutta, Georgia, Marla grew up far from the world of penthouses and gala events. Raised in a tight-knit community, she later attended the University of Georgia before moving to New York City, determined to pursue a career in acting.
Donald Trump and Marla Maples attend the 1992 Soap Opera Digest Awards in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Marla’s career eventually included over 15 film roles, with appearances in Happiness and Black and White, as well as TV spots on Spin City and The Nanny. She also graced Broadway stages in shows like The Will Rogers Follies and Love, Loss and What I Wore.
Magazine covers and constant media attention followed, but behind the designer dresses and polished smiles, Marla confessed she never truly felt at home in that glamorous, high-profile world.
Donald Trump and Marla Maples attend an event around 1992 in New York City, New York. | Source: Getty Images
In interviews, Marla has described formal galas and high-profile appearances as a persona she felt obliged to perform—an image crafted for the public eye. In reality, she favored quiet nights at home over the flash of red carpets, valuing authentic connections more than social status.
Donald Trump and Marla Maples attend the 1992 Soap Opera Digest Awards in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
After her 1999 divorce from Donald, Marla made a life-changing decision. She moved to Calabasas, California, with their daughter Tiffany, leaving Manhattan’s tabloid chaos behind. “I chose to raise her away from the spotlight,” she explained in an earlier interview.
The move meant that Marla took on most of Tiffany’s daily care herself. While she acknowledged Donald provided financial support, she emphasized that the everyday parenting fell entirely to her.
“Her dad provided well financially and valued education, but when it came to time, it was mostly on me,” Marla recalled. She noted that while he cared deeply for his children, coordinating visits often took careful planning.
Raising Tiffany: Solo but Intentional
Marla worked deliberately to foster Tiffany’s connection with her father. A few times each year, she took her daughter to New York for visits and dinners, ensuring their bond could develop steadily and naturally.
Back in California, Marla aimed to bring a touch of her rural Georgia childhood to their daily life. Most nights, she cooked organic meals, and evenings were spent lounging together in front of the TV. A backyard trampoline offered simple fun amid their unusual circumstances.
“We loved going to the movies together; that was our special night out,” Marla said. Tiffany added, “She made it possible for me to have a normal childhood.”
Yet before the California calm, there was bustling Madison Avenue — and a fateful meeting that would launch her into the media spotlight.
Marla first crossed paths with Donald Trump in the late 1980s, during the unraveling of his marriage to Ivana Trump. Their New York encounters quickly drew tabloid attention. Ivana was framed as the elegant, European socialite, while Marla was cast as the Southern beauty — wholesome, faith-driven, and brimming with small-town charm.
In a 1990 Vanity Fair interview, Marla openly discussed her deep connection to the land and her spiritual beliefs. Her mix of Christian faith and New Age practices fascinated some and puzzled others.
Marla came to New York in 1985, chasing dreams of a career in entertainment. Friends of the couple later noted that she might not have been fully ready for the relentless pace of Donald’s world.
Birth, Business, and a High-Profile Wedding
Two major events soon defined her life. On October 13, 1993, Marla welcomed their daughter, Tiffany — a joyful moment amid the pressures of Donald’s business ambitions and constant media attention. At the same time, he was gearing up to take his casino ventures public.
Donald Trump and Marla Maples, with their daughter Tiffany, at the Mar-a-Lago Club opening in Palm Beach, Florida, April 22, 1995. | Source: Getty Images
Donald’s personal life was under constant media scrutiny, which worried investors. Reports later suggested that marrying Marla was seen as a stabilizing move.
Before the wedding, Marla signed a prenuptial agreement. Donald’s divorce from Ivana had been contentious and costly — Ivana initially contested a revised prenup, but the dispute was ultimately settled for $14 million.
Donald Trump and Marla Maples at their wedding at The Plaza Hotel, New York City, circa 1993. | Source: Getty Images
Marla’s prenuptial agreement was notably strict. She waived claims to future income and inheritances, receiving $1 million in return, with no alimony provision.
The contract also demanded strict confidentiality, reflecting lessons from Donald’s highly publicized divorce from Ivana. Marla later mentioned she thought she could renegotiate after five years, but the couple separated after just four.
Tabloid Pressure and an Unexpected Separation
By 1996, renewed tabloid coverage intensified the spotlight. A National Enquirer story claimed Marla had been seen with a bodyguard—allegations both parties denied. Later reports suggested Donald was upset by the publicity but postponed filing for divorce.
They officially separated in 1997. Shortly afterward, Marla moved west to California, stepping away from the relentless media attention that had once dominated her life.
Reflecting on it, Marla has described her marriage as a connection between two people who genuinely cared for each other at that moment in life. In a past interview, she said her focus was on making Donald feel appreciated for who he was—not for his fortune.
A Life Centered on Wellness, Faith, and Family
Now, decades after the tabloids tracked her every step, Marla leads a life that looks completely different from the one the public once knew.
Her mornings are deliberately calm and unhurried. She starts with meditation, then moves to the kitchen to craft drinks with celery and lemon, sometimes spiced with turmeric or ginger. Yoga—switching between Iyengar and Kundalini styles—grounds her day.
Outside her wellness and environmental advocacy, she runs SoulShine Journeys from a Central Park–adjacent office, a spiritual travel company aimed at helping participants pause, reflect, and focus on personal growth.
In October 2025, Marla celebrated a special personal milestone: becoming a grandmother. She posted a photo with Tiffany and her new grandchild, captioned, “Sending Sunday Blessings & Love your way. Thank you God. Great is thy Faithfulness.”
Fans often praise her on social media for her natural beauty. Comments include: “I love your natural look without filters,” “Such a natural beauty,” “Beautiful lady,” and even, “…You have the body of a 16-year-old girl.”
From the glittering heights of Manhattan to tranquil mornings filled with meditation and green juice, Marla’s path has been extraordinary.
Years after her headline-making marriage and divorce, she’s now grounded in what she values most: wellness, spirituality, and family — a world away from the spotlight that once followed her every move.