Marla Maples, a prominent American actress and socialite, boasts an estimated net worth of $6 million. Her public fame grew primarily due to her relationship with businessman Donald Trump, which started in 1989. Their romance was highly publicized, especially since Trump was married to Ivana Trump at the time, which led to a divorce that dominated tabloid headlines in New York.
In 1993, Marla married Donald Trump just two months after giving birth to their daughter, Tiffany Trump. The couple parted ways in 1999, but Marla continued to carve out her own career in entertainment. She appeared in several films like “Executive Decision” (1996) and “Maximum Overdrive” (1986), along with performances on Broadway, including starring in “The Will Rogers Follies” in 1992.
On television, Marla made notable appearances on shows like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and participated in the 2016 season of “Dancing with the Stars.” She has also hosted several radio programs, including the Miss Universe Pageant. Over the years, Marla has become more focused on wellness, spirituality, and yoga. She practices a largely plant-based lifestyle and has authored a book titled “Marla’s Manifesto.” Despite stepping back from regular acting roles, Marla maintains a presence on social media and occasionally appears on television.
Early Life and Education
Marla Ann Maples was born on October 27, 1963, in Cohutta, Georgia. Her mother, Ann Locklear Maples, was a model and homemaker, while her father, Stanley Edward Maples, worked as a real estate developer, country commissioner, singer, and songwriter. Marla attended Northwest Whitfield High School in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, where she became a basketball star and served as class secretary. In her senior year, she earned the title of homecoming queen for the 1980-1981 school year.
After graduating, Marla enrolled at the University of Georgia, though she left before finishing her degree. She then began competing in beauty contests, winning the Miss Resaca Beach Poster Girl Contest in 1983. The following year, she was the runner-up in the Miss Georgia pageant. In 1985, she won the Miss Hawaiian Tropic contest, marking the beginning of her involvement in the entertainment industry.
Marla Maples’ Hollywood Journey
Maples made her film debut in 1986 with “Maximum Overdrive.” Her early career in Hollywood included several memorable appearances, notably at the 1991 WWF WrestleMania VII, where she acted as a guest timekeeper for a match between Sergeant Slaughter and Hulk Hogan. In the same year, she appeared in a guest spot on the television show “Designing Women.”
In 1992, she took on the role of “Ziegfeld’s Favorite” in the Broadway musical “The Will Rogers Follies,” which won a Tony Award. Marla also appeared in the 1994 episodes of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Something Wilder” alongside Donald Trump. Her other television and film credits include “Happiness,” “Black and White,” “The Nanny,” “Spin City,” and “Switching Lanes.”
Maples also appeared in the 1996 action film “Executive Decision” and starred in several other productions like “For Richer or Poorer,” “Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish,” and “Loving Annabelle.” She also participated in off-Broadway productions, including “Love, Loss, and What I Wore.” Maples hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants twice and released a music album titled “House of Love,” which won a Hollywood Music in Media Award.
In March 2016, she became a celebrity contestant on season 22 of “Dancing with the Stars,” partnering with professional dancer Tony Dovolani. The duo was eliminated in Week 4. Marla also guest co-hosted an episode of “The View” that year.
Marla’s Philanthropic Efforts
Marla Maples has always been an advocate for charity work and community involvement. She is a long-time supporter of Kids Creating Peace, an organization focused on uniting Israeli and Palestinian children. Additionally, she is actively involved with AWARENYC.org, an organization that promotes awareness and fundraising efforts to improve the lives of women and girls globally, including in New York City.
Maples is also a keynote speaker with the London Speakers Bureau, where she talks about topics related to women, wellness, spirituality, and motivation. In 2018, she participated in the Summer of Peace Summit, discussing peace and finding common ground. She was also featured at the 2018 Global Summit on Science, Spirituality, and Environment in India and appeared as a guest speaker on the “Journeys of Faith” podcast with Paula Faris.
Other Ventures and Business Endeavors
In 1990, Marla Maples starred in an advertising campaign for No Excuses jeans. She later designed a maternity clothing line in 1993, which was sold in several major department stores. Marla also authored a memoir, “All That Glitters Is Not Gold,” though it was never published due to mutual decisions by her and the publisher in 2002.
Marla has also created personalized videos for fans through the website Cameo, connecting with people who appreciate her work and personality. These side ventures show her entrepreneurial spirit outside of entertainment.
Personal Life and Marriage to Donald Trump
Marla Maples’ most famous personal relationship was with Donald Trump, who was still married to Ivana Trump when they began their affair in 1989. Ivana reportedly discovered the affair in 1991, confronting Marla on a ski slope in Aspen. This led to Ivana’s filing for divorce, and Marla and Donald married in 1993. Their lavish wedding, attended by 1,000 guests, became a media sensation.
The couple’s daughter, Tiffany Ariana Trump, was born in 1993, but Marla and Donald divorced in 1999 after a highly publicized marriage. As part of their prenuptial agreement, Marla was bound by a confidentiality clause regarding the details of their marriage, which she still honors today.
Divorce Settlement and Financial Terms
When Donald and Marla announced their divorce in 1997, Donald’s net worth was estimated at $1.17 billion, though it is believed he may have inflated his wealth for the sake of the divorce settlement. The prenuptial agreement they had was designed in such a way that Marla would receive a smaller settlement if they divorced after fewer than five years. Since they separated after four years, Marla received only $1 million, plus an additional $1 million to help her purchase a home. She was also granted $100,000 per year in child support payments for Tiffany until she turned 21.
Despite this, Marla kept the $250,000 engagement ring, which added to her general financial settlement.
Real Estate Investments
In November 1999, Marla purchased a home in Calabasas, California, for $1.349 million. After holding the property for several years, she sold it in July 2013 for $2.2 million. After selling her Los Angeles home, Marla purchased a condo near Central Park in New York City, signaling her shift to the East Coast.
Through her real estate and business endeavors, Marla continues to make strides in her financial portfolio, demonstrating her resilience and ability to thrive after her high-profile marriage to Donald Trump.
