Vanessa Trump, formerly known as Vanessa Haydon, is the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of Donald J. Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States. This makes her Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law.
Vanessa and Donald Trump Jr. married in November 2005 at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, a property owned by Donald Trump. The wedding was a high-profile event attended by many from the political, social, and business elite, consistent with the Trump family’s media-heavy presence even before Donald Trump’s presidency. During their marriage, Vanessa and Donald Jr. had five children together, making Donald Trump their grandfather.
Born Vanessa Kay Haydon, she was a former model and aspiring actress. Raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Vanessa had a relatively privileged upbringing and was known in New York social circles even before her marriage to Donald Trump Jr. She signed with Wilhelmina Models and appeared in various campaigns during her modeling career. She also briefly dabbled in acting, appearing in films like Something’s Gotta Give.
While married to Donald Jr., Vanessa was often seen at Trump family events and campaign appearances, particularly during Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential run. However, her role was more subdued compared to other Trump family members like Ivanka or Melania. She maintained a low public profile, especially after reports emerged about tensions in her marriage in the mid-2010s.
In March 2018, Vanessa Trump filed for divorce from Donald Trump Jr. after nearly 13 years of marriage. The divorce was finalized later that year. In a joint statement, the couple emphasized their continued commitment to co-parenting their five children.
FILE – Tiger Woods walks to the green on the fifth hole during final round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Though no longer married into the Trump family, Vanessa has occasionally been in the news, most recently in March 2025 when it was confirmed that she is in a relationship with golf legend Tiger Woods. The news stirred renewed interest in her background and her ties to the Trump family. Some reports suggest that her daughter Kai, an avid young golfer, may have played a role in connecting Vanessa with Woods.
Ironically, Vanessa had once briefly dated Donald Trump himself before she was introduced to his son. According to past interviews and reports, she had a few interactions with Donald Trump Sr. in the early 2000s, but the relationship didn’t last. Shortly afterward, she was introduced to Donald Jr. by the elder Trump at a fashion show. That twist of personal history has become more notable with her recent relationship with Tiger Woods, another man famously associated with Donald Trump.
Donald Trump’s deep connection to golf also makes the Vanessa-Woods relationship even more interesting. Trump is an avid golfer and owns or operates nearly 20 golf properties around the world. He has frequently played with professional golfers, including Tiger Woods, and has awarded him honors such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019. Woods has played on Trump courses and was seen as a friendly associate of the former president. This new romantic link between Woods and Vanessa Trump places her once again at the intersection of politics, celebrity, and the sport that Trump has long considered central to his brand.
