Marla Maples Didn’t Marry Donald Trump For Money, Hopes Ivana Trump Can Forgive Her

Marla Maples, the second wife of Donald Trump, thinks it’s funny that people think she married the real estate mogul-turned-politician for money.

Marla Maples On Donald Trump

Maples married Trump in 1993, two months after giving birth to their daughter Tiffany. The pair divorced in 1999 in part because of disagreements over how they would raise Tiffany, who is now 22. Among the many myths about the marriage and its dissolution that Maples would like to bust is the idea that she was with the real estate mogul because of his wealth.

“I was never with him for his money. I wasn’t there for the glamorous life or the riches,” Maples, 52, told People. “I kind of giggle about it when I hear people describe me living some lavish lifestyle. I live in a 740-sq.-ft. apartment. Who are they talking about?”

Maples added, “People saying, ‘He pays her not to talk about him?’ – that’s not true. I feel very blessed for how my life is, but I do have to laugh when people think I walked away with a fortune.”

Maples, who received about $2 million in the divorce settlement with Trump, claims that she was never that interested in the glamorous lifestyle that came with being Trump’s wife.

“Putting on gowns and going out hosting events and having Harry Winston put jewelry on my hands was always uncomfortable for me – that was me playing a role. I felt that’s what the job called for,” said Maples. “To me it’s never about how much money you have. It’s about how are you connecting with each other, supporting each other.”

Back in 1989, four years before her own marriage to Trump began, Maples was dubbed the “other woman,” who broke up Trump’s marriage to Ivana Trump – who still blames Maples. For her part, Maples hopes that the first Mrs. Trump can eventually forgive her for the affair.

“I wish her nothing but love,” Maples told People. “I love her kids, and if she’s holding any kind of resentment toward me, I really hope, for her sake, that she can forgive me.”

Trump, who is the current frontrunner in the GOP primary for president, is now married to model Melania Trump.