Overview
Marla Maples (born October 27, 1963) is an American public figure who has worked as an actress, television personality and stage performer. She came to widespread public attention through her marriage to businessman and later President Donald Trump, and has maintained a career of appearances in entertainment, charity events and occasional television projects.
Early life and background
Maples was born in Cohutta, Georgia, and raised in the region near Dalton, Georgia, where she spent her childhood and early years before pursuing opportunities in modeling and performing arts. Sources describe her origins in northern Georgia — her birthplace is often given as Cohutta and her early life as connected with the Dalton area (Cohutta, near Dalton). She is a distant cousin of actress Heather Locklear, a fact sometimes noted in biographical summaries.
Career and public work
Maples built a varied career in entertainment. She has appeared in films, on television programs and onstage, and has worked as a host and guest on talk shows and specials. In addition to acting credits, she has made public appearances at charity events, fashion and lifestyle functions, and benefit performances. Over the years she has transitioned between screen and stage work while also participating in reality-format and celebrity programming.
Personal life and public profile
Maples became a high-profile public figure in the 1990s as a result of her relationship and subsequent marriage to Donald Trump; the couple married in 1993 and later divorced in 1999. They have one daughter together, born in 1993. Her marriage and family life have been covered extensively in media and tabloid reporting, and Maples has continued to make public appearances and engage in interviews reflecting on that period of her life.
Philanthropy, interests and later activities
Beyond performance, Maples has been involved in philanthropic efforts and public speaking on subjects including family and wellness. She has participated in charity events and community fundraisers and has used her platform for advocacy and fundraising. In later years she has balanced private family life with selective professional projects.
Notable facts and distinctions
- Born October 27, 1963, in Cohutta/near Dalton, Georgia (Cohutta, near Dalton).
- Worked across film, television, stage and public appearances as an entertainer (actress).
- Widely recognized for her marriage to Donald Trump (Donald Trump), which brought sustained media attention.
- Has family ties to actress Heather Locklear as a distant cousin.
For readers seeking biographical timelines, interviews or listings of specific credits, reliable entertainment databases and reputable news sources offer detailed filmographies, television credits and fuller accounts of her public and private life. The summary above captures the principal aspects of Maples's public career and background while noting the cultural role she has played as a celebrity linked to high-profile events.
Additional background and references can be explored via related profiles and archival coverage in entertainment media and biographical directories (context on public roles).