She once lived in Trump Tower and dominated tabloid headlines. Today, the woman who was once married to President Donald Trump starts her mornings with meditation and green juice. After a high-profile divorce, she chose a quieter path far from the political spotlight.See More…
Marla Maples once stood beside one of the most powerful — and polarizing — men in America, her blonde hair gleaming beneath the flashbulbs as Manhattan’s elite looked on.
But when the curtain finally fell on her headline-making marriage to Donald Trump, Marla made a choice that stunned the society pages: she walked away from the glittering chaos and chose a life far from the spotlight.
A Glittering Life That Never Quite Fit
Born in 1963 in the tiny town of Cohutta, Georgia, Marla’s early years were a world away from gold-plated penthouses and black-tie galas. Raised in a close-knit, small-town community, she later attended the University of Georgia before setting her sights on New York City — determined to carve out a future in acting.
Her career would eventually span more than 15 film roles, including appearances in “Happiness” and “Black and White.” She also stepped onto television sets for shows such as “Spin City” and “The Nanny,” and lit up Broadway stages in productions including “The Will Rogers Follies” and “Love, Loss and What I Wore.”
They formally separated in 1997. Soon after, Marla headed west, settling in California and retreating from the relentless glare that had once defined her life.
Looking back, she has described the marriage as a relationship between two people who cared for one another at a particular moment in time. In a past interview, she said she wanted him to feel valued for who he was — not for his wealth.
Leave a Reply