A new poll comparing America’s First Ladies has sparked fresh debate.

While some women who held the role remain widely admired decades later, the current First Lady, Melania Trump, finds herself in a far more complicated position… caught somewhere in the middle of a fiercely divided public.

A competitive field

The poll, which surveyed 2,255 US citizens, set Melania alongside some of the most recognizable figures to ever serve as First Lady, including Michelle Obama and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis — meaning expectations were always going to be high.

Melania has long been viewed as something of an enigma. Despite her global visibility, she has typically maintained a relatively private lifestyle, especially when compared with the intense spotlight surrounding her husband, Donald Trump, whose polarizing reputation continues to split public opinion.