Melania Trump says Donald wanted more children—but she was happy with just one

Melania Trump recently revealed that while her husband, Donald Trump, wanted more children, she was content with just one—their son Barron, who is now 19 years old and studying at NYU.

In a rare and candid interview with Fox & Friends, Melania Trump shared a personal detail about her family life: after Barron was born in 2006, Donald Trump hoped to grow the family. But Melania had other plans.

“I was always perfectly fine with one,” she said. “And Donald was encouraging [us] to have more. And I said, like, ‘I’m completely fine with one because it’s [a] very busy life.’”

Melania made it clear that her focus has always been on raising Barron. Despite living a life of wealth and luxury, she chose not to hire a nanny, instead taking on the full-time role of being there for her son.

Barron Trump was born into a world of wealth. As a child, he lived in Trump Tower with access to everything most kids could only dream of—private tutors, expensive toys, and even walls he was allowed to draw on.

“In his playroom, he draws on the walls,” Melania told Parenting magazine. “We let him be creative… One day he wrote ‘Barron’s Bakery’ on the wall with crayons.”

Despite their privileged lifestyle, Melania chose not to hire live-in help. “If you have too much help, you don’t get to know your children,” she told People in 2015. “Barron needs somebody as a parent there, so I am with him all the time.”

While Donald Trump focused on his business empire, Melania made it her mission to raise Barron with structure and love. She cooked his meals, helped with homework, and made sure he stayed curious—especially about science, math, and even flying planes.

Donald Trump’s hands-off parenting style

In 2005, just after Barron was born, Donald Trump told Larry King that he didn’t plan to take on traditional parenting duties. “I’m not going to be doing the diapers,” he said. “I may never even see the kids.”

But Melania made sure Barron still had moments with his dad—whether through dinners or weekend golf outings. As Barron got older, he joined his father on the golf course and slowly stepped into the public eye.

Barron graduated high school in 2023 and now studies at NYU’s Stern School of Business. However, he’s not living in a dorm like most college freshmen. Instead, he’s staying at home with his mother in New York City.

Sources told People magazine that Melania wants to stay close to her son, helping him adjust to college life and ensuring he keeps up with schoolwork. “Melania feels it’s better to be around him as much as possible,” one source said.

It’s clear that even as Barron becomes an adult, Melania remains a steady presence in his life.

Melania often speaks proudly of Barron, describing him as “an incredible young man” who is “kind, intelligent, and strong.” She also revealed that he made the choice to stay in New York for college—something she deeply respects.

“I raised Barron as [his] own person and gave him his own yes and nos,” she said. “It was his decision to come here… and I respect that.”

Could Barron follow in his father’s political footsteps?

Though Barron is still young, many wonder whether he might follow in his father’s footsteps and enter politics one day. He’s reportedly developing his own political views, and growing up in such a high-profile family means he’s no stranger to the spotlight.

But for now, Barron is focused on college—and Melania is doing what she’s always done: standing by her son and guiding him through life, one step at a time.

Melania Trump’s story reveals more than just a decision about family size—it shows her deep commitment to being a hands-on mother, even in one of America’s most famous and scrutinized families. While Donald Trump dreamed of having more children, Melania chose to focus her love and energy on just one—and built a close, unshakable bond that still holds strong today.