Vanessa Trump, best known as the former wife of Donald Trump Jr. and the mother of budding golfer Kai Trump, has recently made headlines for her breast cancer diagnosis in May 2026. The 48-year-old former model and actress also confirmed her relationship with golf legend Tiger Woods in March 2025. Her life story encompasses a high-profile marriage, a multimillion-dollar inheritance, and a quiet reinvention as a dedicated mother of five.
Vanessa Trump's Profile Summary
Vanessa Kay Trump, née Pergolizzi, was born on 18 December 1977 in New York, United States, to the late Charles Haydon, a prominent Manhattan lawyer, and former model Bonnie Haydon. She has one sibling, Veronika Haydon. Her father represented high-profile clients including Solomon Schwartz, Marilyn Monroe, and Abe Hirschfeld. Her mother founded and ran Kay Models. Vanessa stands at 5'7" (170 cm), weighs 61 kg, and has brown eyes and blonde hair. Her net worth is estimated at $75 million.
Early Life and Education
Vanessa attended the Dwight School on the Upper West Side in New York. After high school, she began her modelling career with Wilhelmina Models. She later pursued psychology at Marymount Manhattan College. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn.
Career Highlights
In the 1990s, Vanessa and her sister Veronika were fixtures in the New York party scene, often appearing in tabloids. In 1988, The Star reported that Leonardo DiCaprio had fallen for a young model named Vanessa Haydon, as recorded by New York Magazine. She appeared in the 2003 film Something's Gotta Give alongside Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves. In 2011, she appeared on The Apprentice, hosted by her then-father-in-law, Donald Trump. Other TV appearances include The Oprah Winfrey Show, In the Cutz, The Big Idea with Donny, and a 2004 Miss USA Special as a celebrity judge. Between 2010 and 2013, she co-owned La Poshett, a luxury handbags and accessories brand, with her sister, mother, and Shawn Modell.
Inheritance from Rao's Speciality Foods
Vanessa and her sister inherited from Rao's Speciality Foods, a marinara sauce brand their father invested in. Charles Haydon invested approximately $1 million and controlled 30% of the company. In 2017, the brand was sold for about $415 million. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Vanessa received a 15% share of the payout, translating to about $62 million before tax.
Marriage to Donald Trump Jr.
Vanessa met Donald Trump Jr. at a 2003 Kmart fashion show at Capitale. She recalled that then-President Donald Trump introduced them twice: "I'm at this fashion show. Donald Trump comes up to me with his son: 'Hi, I'm Donald Trump. I wanted to introduce you to my son Donald Trump Jr.'" She added, "Donald comes back up to me again, 'I don't think you've met my son Donald Trump Jr.,'... 'Yeah, we just met, five minutes ago.'" They were reintroduced by a mutual friend about two months later. They got engaged in 2004 at the Short Hills Mall with a $100,000 ring from Bailey Banks & Biddle. The couple married at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on 12 November 2005.
Children and Divorce
Vanessa and Donald Trump Jr. have five children: Kai Madison (born 12 May 2007), Donald John III (18 February 2009), Tristan Milos (2 October 2011), Spencer Frederick (21 October 2012), and Chloe Sophia (16 June 2014). Page Six first reported on a split in March 2015, and Vanessa filed for an uncontested divorce. Their joint statement said: "After 12 years of marriage, we have decided to go our separate ways. We will always have tremendous respect for each other and our families. We have five beautiful children together, and they remain our top priority."
Relationship with Tiger Woods
In March 2025, Tiger Woods confirmed his relationship with Vanessa Trump via Instagram and X, writing: "Love is in the air, and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together." They are believed to have started dating around Thanksgiving 2024. A source told the Daily Mail: "Tiger and Vanessa have been seeing each other since just before Thanksgiving. She comes to his place on Jupiter Island. They're not living together. She comes over maybe a few nights a week." They share residences in Palm Beach, Florida, and their children attend The Benjamin School.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis
On 21 May 2026, Vanessa Trump announced her breast cancer diagnosis on Instagram, thanking fans for their kindness and asking for privacy. On 13 June 2026, she updated fans: "Over the past four weeks, I've been recovering from surgery, and I'm grateful to be healing and moving forward. Soon, I'll be starting the second stage of my treatment. Sending love, strength, and hope to everyone fighting this battle."
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Vanessa Trump? She is a former American model, actress, and socialite.
- How many children does Vanessa Trump have? Five: Kai, Donald John III, Tristan, Spencer, and Chloe.
- Why did Vanessa leave Donald Trump Jr.? The divorce was mutual, according to their joint statement.
- Did Vanessa Trump remarry? No, she has not remarried since the 2018 divorce.
- Where does Vanessa Trump live? Palm Beach, Florida.
- Who is Vanessa Trump's partner now? Golfer Tiger Woods.
- What ethnicity is Vanessa Trump? Italian heritage from her father and Danish descent from her mother.
- What has happened to Vanessa Trump? She was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2026.
