Chapter 1 USA "Prepare for landing . . ." the pilot announced. I pressed the off button on my Walkman and gazed out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of New York City in the distance. My heart pounded with excitement. I was twenty-six years old, and while I had traveled everywhere in Europe, I had never been on a journey quite like this. This was America . . . New York! A different world altogether. I had made the decision to test my skills in the American modeling market carefully, after weighing all the professional and personal implications. There were risks, yes, but buoyed by an internal sense of confidence and the ongoing support of my family, I was certain I could succeed. The potential rewards would outweigh the uncertainties. I had embraced such risks many times in the past, but this gamble felt more significant. I packed my apartment in Paris, met with my agent in Milan, and said goodbye to my family in Slovenia. My life was now two suitcases and a carry-on, containing only essentials: clothing, shoes, cosmetics, my passport, and my portfolio. The portfolio, a culmination of nearly a decade of dedicated modeling work across Italy, France, and Germany, was my most valued asset. Ten hours before touching down in New York, I had checked my suitcase at Linate Airport in Milan where I navigated through the noisy crowds of tourists, all returning home at the end of the European summer holiday. It felt as though I was swimming against the tide, moving in the opposite direction of everyone around me. In Europe, where traveling between countries is commonplace, I was at home anywhere on the continent. Which was precisely why leaving and embracing a new challenge felt exhilarating and exciting. But the distance between America and Europe felt immense and my family and I had found these goodbyes particularly difficult. Still, I was grateful for their trust, which strengthened my decision, and motivated by their encouragement. "Good luck," they said, as we hugged. We held each other tightly. "Be safe. Let us know when you arrive." As I boarded the plane, I thought of them and fingered a necklace they had given me engraved with the German words " Ich liebe dich "--I love you. I carried their love with me as I stepped into the unknown. Tuesday afternoon . . . JFK Airport. The airport was crowded. After a long walk, I finally reached immigration and customs. There were two lines: one for US citizens, and one for visitors. I joined the visitors' line, which moved significantly slower than the other one as the guards meticulously examined every detail of each passenger's papers, holding up passports, tilting their heads to the left and right, flipping pages, and deciphering stamps. Some of the people ahead of me had trouble that needed sorting out, which slowed things down even further. The line was crawling. I waited patiently. There were twenty people ahead of me at first. Then ten . . . five . . . two. . . . Finally, it was my turn. The agent waved me to the booth. He didn't say much, but he looked me up and down, up and down. He checked back and forth between my passport photo and the face in front of him. I felt confident. My documentation was in order, and my English was proficient. "First time here?" he asked. "Yes," I said. "First time." He smiled at me, stamped my passport, and handed it back to me. I looked at the date: August 27, 1996. "Welcome to the United States," he said. Despite the fog of jet lag, I recognized the importance of this moment. My life had shifted direction, presenting new opportunities, and I was ready to embrace the path ahead. After retrieving my luggage, I proceeded to the exit. The heat and humidity enveloped my face. The sound of honking vehicles filled the air, accompanied by a persistent haze of exhaust fumes. I stood by the curb and concentrated on locating the driver sent by the agency, scanning the crowd for any sign of him. Just as I wanted to turn away to find a phone booth to make a call, a long black limousine arrived, and the driver lowered the window. "Melania Knauss?" he asked. "Yes. Hello. Are you from Metropolitan Models?" I inquired. "Yes, ma'am." He opened the door. I stepped into the back seat. I felt a sense of relief to be away from the noisy chaos of the curb. The interior of the limousine exuded elegance. I felt an immediate sense of comfort and ease. Within a minute we were on the road. The din of JFK faded into the background, and I finally took a deep, calming breath. Traffic was heavy on the way into the city, so it took a while before the skyline came into view. When it did, my heart leapt. The Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the Twin Towers stood proudly against the horizon. Having only seen this iconic view in magazines and films, witnessing it in person was exhilarating. The scale and vibrancy of Manhattan were overwhelming, and with each passing moment, my excitement grew. Any second thoughts about my decision to come here dissipated; this is where I was meant to be. Reflecting on that pivotal day in my life, I recognize the profound significance of that decision to move to New York. Now I am struck by my youthful confidence! Life's circumstances shape you in many ways, often entirely beyond your control--your birth, parental influences, and the world in which you grow up. As an adult, there comes a moment when you become solely responsible for the life you lead. You must take charge, embrace that responsibility, and become the architect of your own future. Coming to America, coming to New York City? That was my moment. Another pivotal moment came as I raised my right hand and recited the Pledge of Allegiance, ten years after my initial arrival, in July 2006, and became an American citizen. It was not an easy process. And my personal experience dealing with the trials of the immigration process opened my eyes to the difficulties faced by all who wish to become US citizens. I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. Reaching the milestone of American citizenship marked the sunrise of certainty. I had become a true citizen of the world, at home wherever I was. And now, with gratitude--in my heart and on paper--I was, finally, also an American. Excerpted from Melania by Melania Trump All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
