Former First Lady Melania Trump made a rare public appearance at a lavish dinner held at Mar-a-Lago alongside her husband, Donald Trump, as he hosted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Melania's presence at the event, amid speculation about her absence from public view, added a notable touch to the evening.

Melania Trump Makes Rare Appearance at Glitzy Mar-a-Lago Event Supporting Former Presidenthttps://t.co/DjvTVLZiOS

— Larry Elder (@larryelder) February 13, 2024

The appearance

During the dinner, Melania received a surprise bouquet from Prime Minister Orban, an act that seemed to catch her off guard.

Orban later shared a photo of Melania on his Instagram page, captioning it "Pretty Woman," reflecting his admiration for her presence.

Despite her relatively limited engagement in her husband's political activities, Melania appeared to be in good spirits throughout the event.

She was observed engaging with guests, exuding elegance in a stylish white suit, despite her absence from her husband's speech in the club's ballroom.

Melania's family

While Melania's stepsons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump were present at the event, her eldest stepdaughter, Ivanka, was notably missing.

Reports suggest that Ivanka has expressed a desire to distance herself from her father's political endeavors in the future.

Melania's public appearances have been infrequent since her departure from the White House in January 2021. She has notably refrained from attending her husband's rallies or legal proceedings, maintaining a low profile in the public eye.

She did accompany Trump to the Trumpettes gala at the Palm Beach estate last month, signaling occasional participation in select events.

Recent silence

According to The Palm Beach Post, Melania's public presence has been minimal since November 2022, when she was last seen accompanying her husband to vote at the Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach. Following this, she joined him at Mar-a-Lago to announce his intention to run for president again in 2024.

During this time, Melania has been focused on caring for her mother, Amalija Knavss, who passed away in early January. Trump had previously mentioned his mother-in-law's illness during his New Year's Eve party, expressing gratitude for Melania's unwavering support during this difficult time.

Melania shared the heartbreaking news of her mother's passing on social media platform X, honoring her as "a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity." Her dedication to her family during this period reflects her commitment to her loved ones, even amid the challenges of her public life.