On the First Lady’s birthday, events took a different turn. As the world focused on the Vatican, the U.S. president explained how he marked the occasion during the loss of someone she deeply respected.
Melania Trump marked her 55th birthday far from home and away from any personal celebration. On April 26, 2025, she stood beside President Donald Trump in Vatican City, attending the funeral of Pope Francis — a day that blended personal reflection with public duty.
While the focus remained on official responsibilities, curiosity lingered over how Melania’s birthday would be celebrated, especially given the president’s typically candid approach to personal occasions.
What Donald Has Given Melania in the Past
Before revealing how the day was eventually observed, it’s worth recalling how the president has handled this occasion in the past, often with frankness and simplicity. In a 2018 Fox News interview, Donald was asked what he had given Melania for her birthday.
“Well, I better not get into that because I may get in trouble. Maybe I didn’t get her so much,” he said. “[I] got her a beautiful card. You know, I’m very busy — to be running out looking for presents, OK? But I got her a beautiful card and some beautiful flowers.”
That answer, while casual, gave the public a glimpse into the president’s approach to birthdays — understated, symbolic, and shaped by a demanding schedule.
And in 2025, that pattern seemed to continue, though the day’s circumstances were far from ordinary.
A Birthday at the Vatican
This year, Melania spent her 55th birthday in Vatican City — not for celebration, but to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. The pope, 88, died on April 21, and his funeral was held five days later, aligning directly with her birthday.
A practicing Catholic, Melania was reportedly honored to attend the funeral regardless of the personal timing. “She respected the pope,” a source told People. “It is a sad time for Catholics around the world, and the First Lady is honored to go to the funeral.”
Her connection to the pope dates back to 2017, when she and Donald visited the Vatican during their first overseas trip as President and First Lady. During that meeting, she presented the pontiff with rosary beads — a gesture widely seen as an affirmation of her faith.
“Meeting the pope eight years ago made the trip to his funeral all the more important,” a source close to the family shared.
The day, though solemn, carried deep personal significance for her. As someone who admired Francis and shared his compassion for others, especially children, Melania viewed the funeral as more than a formal duty.
A source described it as “a significant event for her, a life experience few are able to share,” noting her “respect for all different types of people and their opinions.”
Although she is usually private, Melania acknowledged the significance of the day by posting a message on X, thanking people for their birthday wishes and sharing that she spent the day at the funeral, where she reflected and prayed for healing and peace.
The accompanying photo shows Melania in black and white, eyes closed, seemingly in prayer or deep reflection. She is dressed in dark attire. Even with the eyes of the world upon her, the First Lady marked the day with dignity, restraint, and devotion.
A Year of Private Grief
The symbolism of the day was not only shaped by her faith — it also reflected a personal journey through grief. In January 2024, Melania lost her mother, Amalija Knavs.
She announced her mother’s death on social media, expressing “deep sadness” over the loss. Melania described her as a “strong woman” who lived with “grace, warmth, and dignity,” and emphasized her devotion to family, saying they would “continue to honor and love her legacy.”
Since then, her Catholic faith has reportedly played a larger role in her personal life. “Her religion has continued to play a large role in her life, helping her deal with grief,” a family source revealed.
The trip to Rome, then, carried layered meaning — both spiritual and personal — and marked her birthday in a way no public celebration could.
The President’s Celebration Plans
With attention fixed on Melania’s presence at the papal funeral, questions swirled around how Donald would mark her birthday amid their international duties.
When asked by reporters whether he had time to buy a gift or plan a dinner, the president admitted, “I haven’t had much time to buy presents now. I’ve been pretty busy. But it’s working out. People are starting to understand how good tariffs are…for us.”
Despite the time constraints, Donald did celebrate his wife’s birthday in a personalized way. According to The Daily Mail, the couple shared a dinner aboard Air Force One, which included a thoughtful detail: dessert was a chocolate coin stamped with the First Lady’s seal.
Upon landing, an aide was seen placing a large bouquet of pink flowers into her motorcade.
After the funeral and flight, the couple arrived in Newark, New Jersey. There, the couple parted ways — Donald boarded Marine One for his Bedminster golf club, while Melania entered her SUV.
