Marla Maples Net Worth 2025: From Trump Divorce to Wellness Advocate

Marla Maples sits comfortably with a net worth of $6 million in 2025, a fortune built through entertainment work, a high-profile divorce, and smart real estate moves. The Georgia-born actress and wellness advocate made headlines in the 1990s as Donald Trump’s second wife, but her financial story goes far beyond that controversial marriage. Today, at 61, she’s carved out an independent life as a speaker, spiritual guide, and devoted mother to Tiffany Trump.

Marla Maples Net Worth

Marla Maples has accumulated a personal fortune of $6 million through various income streams spanning four decades. Her wealth comes from her acting career, divorce settlement from Donald Trump, real estate investments, and current work as a wellness speaker and media personality. While many remember her primarily as Trump’s ex-wife, Marla has built financial independence through speaking engagements, television appearances, and property investments.

The actress currently lives in New York City in a condo near Central Park, far from the California home where she raised her daughter. Her income today comes mainly from keynote speaking through the London Speakers Bureau, radio hosting, personalized videos on Cameo, and occasional television appearances. Unlike some celebrity divorcees who fade from public view, Marla has maintained a steady presence in entertainment and wellness circles, ensuring consistent revenue streams.

Early Life and Beauty Pageant Success

Born on October 27, 1963, in the small town of Cohutta, Georgia, Marla Ann Maples grew up in a family that valued ambition and appearance. Her father, Stanley Edward Maples, worked as a real estate developer and county commissioner while pursuing music on the side. Her mother, Ann Locklear Maples, had worked as a model, giving young Marla an early glimpse into the world of beauty and performance.

At Northwest Whitfield High School in Tunnel Hill, Marla wasn’t just another pretty face. She dominated on the basketball court and served as class secretary, showing the drive that would later fuel her entertainment career. Her senior year brought a homecoming queen crown in 1980, setting the stage for bigger pageant wins ahead.

After briefly attending the University of Georgia, Marla left college to chase pageant dreams full-time. The gamble paid off. She won the Miss Resaca Beach Poster Girl Contest in 1983, placed as runner-up in the Miss Georgia pageant in 1984, and captured the Miss Hawaiian Tropic crown in 1985. That final victory opened doors to modeling and acting opportunities in New York City, where she’d soon meet the man who would change her life.

Entertainment Career and Broadway Success

Marla’s first film role came in 1986 with Stephen King’s “Maximum Overdrive,” a modest start that led to more significant opportunities. By 1991, she was rubbing shoulders with professional wrestlers as a celebrity guest and timekeeper at WWF WrestleMania VII, where she watched Hulk Hogan take on Sergeant Slaughter. The appearance showed her willingness to embrace different entertainment avenues.

Her Broadway breakthrough arrived in 1992 when she joined “The Will Rogers Follies” as Ziegfeld’s Favorite. The Tony Award-winning musical gave Marla legitimate stage credentials beyond her pageant background. She could actually perform, not just look good doing it. Her stage presence earned respect from theater critics who initially dismissed her as just another beauty queen trying to act.

Television work followed throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Marla appeared alongside then-husband Donald Trump on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” in 1994, guest-starred on popular shows like “Spin City” and “The Nanny,” and hosted the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants twice. Her film credits grew to include “Executive Decision” in 1996 and the dark comedy “Happiness” in 1998, showing range beyond light entertainment.

In 2016, Marla joined Season 22 of “Dancing with the Stars,” partnered with professional dancer Tony Dovolani. They were eliminated in Week 4, but the appearance reminded audiences she was still active in entertainment. That same year, she guest co-hosted on “The View,” proving she could handle live television beyond pageant hosting. Her 2013 music album “The Endless” even won a Hollywood Music in Media Award, adding musician to her list of accomplishments.

Meeting Donald Trump and the Tabloid Romance

Marla and Donald Trump first crossed paths in 1989 at a tennis match, though accounts vary on the exact circumstances. What’s certain is that Trump was still married to his first wife, Ivana, when the relationship began. The affair stayed relatively quiet until 1991, when Ivana confronted Marla on an Aspen ski slope during a family vacation. That explosive encounter turned into tabloid gold.

The New York Post ran with the story, famously printing “BEST SEX I EVER HAD” as a headline attributed to Marla talking about Trump, though she later denied making that statement. The scandal consumed New York society pages for months. Trump and Ivana’s divorce proceedings became must-read material, with Marla cast as the homewrecker who destroyed a marriage.

The relationship between Donald and Marla had its rocky moments. They broke up at least once before eventually committing to marriage. The media scrutiny was intense, with photographers following Marla constantly and reporters digging into every aspect of her past. She went from Georgia beauty queen to one of the most talked-about women in America almost overnight.

Marriage to Donald Trump and Family Life

Donald and Marla married in December 1993 at the Plaza Hotel, with 1,000 guests attending the lavish ceremony. Celebrities like Rosie O’Donnell and O.J. Simpson filled the room, making it a who’s who of early ’90s fame. The wedding came just two months after Marla gave birth to their daughter, Tiffany Ariana Trump, in October 1993.

Life as Mrs. Trump came with privileges but also pressures. Marla attended charity galas, traveled in private jets, and lived in Trump Tower. Yet the relationship struggled from the start. Donald remained focused on his business empire, often working long hours and traveling for deals. Marla, now a mother, wanted more family time and stability for Tiffany.

The couple maintained a public image of happiness for appearances, but insiders reported growing distance between them. By 1997, just shy of their four-year anniversary, Donald and Marla announced their separation. The marriage had lasted less than five years, a detail that would prove financially significant.

The Prenuptial Agreement and Divorce Settlement

The prenup Marla signed before marrying Trump contained a harsh clause: if they divorced before five years, she’d receive only $1 million. After five years, the payout increased substantially. They separated at four years, triggering the minimum payment.

Marla reportedly asked for $25 million to walk away cleanly, arguing she deserved more for being Trump’s wife and mother to his child. Trump’s lawyers pointed to the ironclad prenuptial agreement. During divorce proceedings, Donald claimed his net worth was $1.17 billion, though financial experts questioned that figure. He inflated asset values, including claiming his Trump Taj Mahal casino was worth $1.25 billion despite losing money and carrying massive debt.

Why would Trump overstate his wealth? The prenup could only be challenged if Marla proved he hid assets or understated his fortune. By inflating rather than deflating his net worth, Trump protected himself from any legal attacks on the agreement’s validity. It was a clever, if cynical, legal strategy.

The final settlement gave Marla $1 million in cash, another $1 million to purchase a home, and $100,000 per year in child support for Tiffany until she turned 21. She also kept her $250,000 engagement ring. In total, Marla would receive about $2.9 million over 17 years, far less than the divorce settlements of other wealthy businessmen’s wives. For comparison, Ivana Trump had received $14 million plus assets in her divorce settlement just a few years earlier.

The agreement also included a strict confidentiality clause preventing Marla from discussing her marriage publicly. She couldn’t write a tell-all book or give interviews revealing private details about life with Trump. That confidentiality requirement remains in effect today, limiting what she can say about those years.

Life After Divorce and California Years

After the divorce finalized in 1999, Marla bought a home in Calabasas, California, for $1.349 million. The move gave her physical and emotional distance from New York’s Trump-centric social scene. She focused on raising Tiffany away from tabloid cameras, choosing suburban California over Manhattan penthouses.

Those California years allowed Marla to develop her own identity separate from the Trump name. She continued acting in smaller roles, explored spiritual practices, and embraced West Coast wellness culture. The lifestyle shift from New York socialite to California mom suited her evolving priorities.

In 2013, Marla sold her Calabasas property for $2.2 million, earning an $850,000 profit on the investment. The sale showed financial savvy, demonstrating she could grow wealth through real estate like her father had. She moved back to New York City, purchasing a condo near Central Park where she lives today.

Current Income Sources and Career Evolution

Marla’s income streams in 2025 reflect her transformation from actress to wellness advocate. She works as a keynote speaker with the London Speakers Bureau, addressing topics like women’s empowerment, spirituality, and personal growth. These speaking engagements pay anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 per appearance, depending on the event.

She hosts a talk radio show called “Awakening with Marla,” discussing spiritual topics and interviewing guests about wellness and consciousness. While radio doesn’t pay as much as acting once did, it keeps her voice in the public sphere and builds her brand as a spiritual guide.

Social media has become another revenue source. Marla maintains active Instagram and Facebook accounts, partnering with wellness brands and health companies for sponsored content. She also creates personalized video messages through Cameo, where fans pay for birthday wishes or motivational messages. The platform allows celebrities to monetize their fame directly.

Guest appearances on television shows, podcast interviews, and hosting gigs add supplemental income. Marla appeared at India’s Global Summit on Science, Spirituality, and Environment in 2018 and spoke at the Summer of Peace Summit the same year. These international appearances pay appearance fees plus expenses, contributing to her annual earnings.

Real Estate and Assets

Beyond the Calabasas home, Marla has demonstrated understanding of property investment as a wealth-building tool. Her father’s background in real estate development likely influenced her approach to property ownership. Rather than spending her divorce settlement on luxury items, she invested in real estate that appreciated in value.

Her current New York City condo near Central Park represents both a home and an asset. Manhattan real estate typically holds value well, providing financial security if she ever needs to sell. The location also keeps her close to Tiffany and entertainment industry opportunities.

While Marla doesn’t own multiple properties like some celebrities, her focused approach to real estate has served her well. She’s avoided the trap of buying too much property and getting house-poor, instead maintaining one solid asset while keeping liquid assets available.

Marla Maples Age and Personal Life Today

At 61 years old, Marla looks remarkably youthful, crediting her plant-based diet and yoga practice for her appearance. She’s been vegetarian for years, occasionally vegan, and advocates for clean eating and natural wellness approaches. Her Instagram shows green smoothies, yoga poses, and quotes about consciousness and love.

Marla became a grandmother in November 2024 when Tiffany gave birth, adding a new chapter to her life. She’s embraced the role enthusiastically, sharing her joy on social media without violating Tiffany’s privacy. The grandmother title seems to delight her more than any entertainment credit ever did.

She hasn’t remarried since divorcing Trump, though she’s been linked to various men over the years. Marla has said she’s focused on her spiritual journey and family rather than seeking another high-profile relationship. Her life centers on wellness practices, speaking engagements, and maintaining close bonds with Tiffany.

Relationship with Daughter Tiffany Trump

Marla raised Tiffany primarily as a single mother in California, keeping her daughter away from the intense media spotlight that surrounded Trump’s other children in New York. Tiffany attended private schools and later the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her degree before attending Georgetown Law School.

The mother-daughter bond remains strong despite physical distance at times. Marla attended Tiffany’s wedding in 2022, celebrating her daughter’s marriage while maintaining cordial relations with the Trump family. She’s spoken publicly about her pride in Tiffany’s accomplishments and independence.

Becoming a grandmother has deepened their relationship. Marla relocated to be closer to Tiffany after her daughter’s marriage, wanting to be present for this new phase of family life. The child support payments from Trump ended when Tiffany turned 21, but Marla’s commitment to their relationship never wavered.

Comparing Marla Maples to Other Trump Wives

Marla’s $6 million net worth pales compared to Ivana Trump’s estimated $100 million fortune before her death in 2022. Ivana parlayed her divorce settlement into business ventures, book deals, and brand partnerships that multiplied her wealth. She also received a more generous divorce settlement, partly because no prenup existed initially.

Melania Trump’s net worth is harder to calculate since she remains married to Donald, but estimates suggest she has prenuptial protections ensuring financial security. Each Trump wife navigated her relationship with the businessman differently, with varying financial outcomes.

What sets Marla apart is her shift away from seeking wealth and fame. While Ivana embraced celebrity status and business opportunities, Marla moved toward spirituality and wellness. The choices reflect different values and priorities, not just different financial outcomes.

Wellness Advocate and Spiritual Journey

Marla’s transformation into a wellness advocate began during her California years and deepened over time. She practices Transcendental Meditation, studies spiritual texts, and incorporates alternative healing modalities into her daily routine. This isn’t a celebrity fad for her but a genuine lifestyle commitment.

She’s served on advisory boards for wellness organizations and spoken at conferences about consciousness, peace, and personal transformation. Her work with Kids Creating Peace, an organization uniting Israeli and Palestinian children, reflects her belief in spirituality’s power to heal division.

Marla’s music reflects this spiritual focus. Her album “The Endless” features meditation-friendly tracks and inspirational themes. While she hasn’t pursued music commercially like some celebrities, she uses it as another avenue for spreading wellness messages.

Actress and Television Personality

Though wellness now dominates her public image, Marla’s entertainment credentials remain solid. She’s appeared in over 20 films and television shows across her career, worked with respected directors, and held her own alongside established actors. Her Broadway run showed she could handle live performance pressure, not just film takes with multiple chances to get scenes right.

Her “Dancing with the Stars” appearance in 2016 introduced her to a new generation of viewers who didn’t remember the Trump scandal. At 52, she competed against younger contestants, showing the physicality and stamina her wellness lifestyle provided. Though eliminated fairly early, she gained respect for attempting the challenge.

Marla hasn’t abandoned entertainment completely. She remains open to acting roles that align with her values and occasionally appears on television shows discussing wellness, motherhood, or her experiences. The difference now is that entertainment serves her message rather than defining her identity.

Marla Maples’ $6 million net worth tells a story of reinvention and resilience. She’s moved from beauty queen to actress to Trump’s wife to independent wellness advocate, adapting to each life phase while building financial security. Her fortune may not match the billionaire she once married, but she’s created a life rich in purpose, family connection, and personal fulfillment. That might be worth more than any divorce settlement.