What has Marla Maples done since her divorce from Donald Trump – and will she vote for him for president? From her role on HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones to her mansion sale and taking up meditation
Marla Maples may be an actress, model, musician and philanthropist in her own right, but it was her short-lived romance with Donald Trump that continues to make headlines today.
Maples, born in 1963 in the southeastern US state of Georgia, shot to fame with TV, Broadway and film appearances in the 80s, 90s and 2000s, helping her amass her fortune of an estimated US$6 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
But as Trump sets his sights on a return to the White House, Maples finds herself making headlines again because of their relationship.
Here’s a look at what the star has been up to after her life with the would-be president.
Will Marla Maples vote for her ex, Donald Trump?
Maples and Trump divorced over two decades ago, but she still gets asked about her ex-husband.
Despite her hesitance to talk politics, she recently hinted that she would vote for her ex if he runs for president again.
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“I try not to be political, but I love this country, and I know [the Trump] family is in it for our country. I believe I’m going to do my best to help this country in any way I can,” she told US-based paparazzi Lion’s Share News in January this year.
She previously told the Today show that Trump harboured ambitions to be president as far back as in the 90s. Maples added that the couple knew it was going to be tough on the children, insinuating that they decided he should hold back on his political ambitions at the time.
In January, she also refuted old claims that she had cheated on Trump with singer Michael Bolton, saying the pair had dated, but not while she was married.
Ironically, Maples and Trump’s relationship first made tabloid headlines when they were reported to be having an affair while he was married to his first wife, Ivana. After splitting from Ivana, Trump married Maples two months after welcoming their baby girl, Tiffany.
Her move to Florida – and lucrative LA mansion sale
Rumours circulated in publications such as the Miami Herald that Maples was following Tiffany and other members of the Trump family to Florida – and she seemed to confirm the speculation in 2021, posting a selfie with a Florida driving licence and several more photos of herself on the state’s beautiful beaches in the months that followed.
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She made the move from New York where she relocated in 2016, reported the New York Post. She reportedly made a tidy US$850,000 profit on her Los Angeles home during her earlier move across country, leaving behind a five-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion she paid US$1.35 million for in 1999.
The massive home also had a swimming pool, tennis court and balcony views of picturesque mountains, noted property agent Trulia.
Marla Maples’ screen appearances
In 2019, it was confirmed that Maples had signed a deal to have a recurring role as Gay Nancy on the HBO hit televangelist comedy series The Righteous Gemstones.
For three decades, she had multiples roles in big name shows like Happiness, Spin City and The Nanny.
She dialled back on her projects after her divorce only to re-emerge in the last eight years with appearances on Dancing with the Stars and numerous red carpets.
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What is Marla Maples’ relationship with the Trump family like today?
Her relationship with Donald and his family has seemingly remained strong. Last year, she and her daughter Tiffany spent Easter at Donald’s private club in Florida, Mar-a-Lago, with him and Melania for a traditional Easter brunch, reported People.
After her split from Donald, Maples has filled her social media accounts with images of herself doing what she considers meaningful things, such as yoga and meditation exercises.
She told a 2022 Tedx audience her secret to finding inner peace: she “stopped apologising for my joy”.
Beyond motivating herself and her followers, Maples is a known philanthropist. She has worked with several different NGOs and charities over the last three decades, including creating spiritual programmes for conflict management involving Israeli and Palestinian children, and advocating for gender equality in Stem careers with the Gig City Girls organisation last year.
