Marla Ann Maples was born on October 27, 1963, in Cohutta, Georgia, to Ann Locklear Maples, a homemaker and model, and Stanley Edward Maples, a real estate developer, county commissioner, singer, and songwriter.

She has one half-sister from her father's previous marriage. Marla attended Northwest Whitfield High School in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, where she played basketball, served as class secretary, and was crowned the 1980–1981 homecoming queen. After graduating from high school in 1981, she competed in beauty contests and pageants.

In 1983, she won the Miss Resaca Beach Poster Girl Contest, in 1984 she was the runner-up to Miss Georgia USA, and in 1985 she won the Miss Hawaiian Tropic.

Her career began in the entertainment industry in the early 1980s. She appeared in films such as Maximum Overdrive (1986), Executive Decision (1996), For Richer or Poorer (1997), Happiness (1998), Richie Rich's Christmas Wish (1998), Black and White (1999), Two of Hearts (1999), Loving Annabelle (2006), A Christmas Too Many (2007), and A Nanny for Christmas (2010).

She also appeared in television shows like Designing Women, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Something Wilder. She co-hosted the Miss Universe Pageant and the Miss USA Pageant in 1996 and 1997.

Marla Maples is perhaps best known for her marriage to Donald Trump. They married in December 1993, two months after the birth of their daughter Tiffany. The couple separated in 1997 and divorced in 1999.

In recent years, she has focused on her spiritual journey and philanthropic efforts. She released her first album, The Endless, featuring collaborations with Deepak Chopra, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Michael Bernard Beckwith.

She also hosted a talk radio show, Awakening With Marla, which focused on natural wellness. Marla continues to be involved in various charitable organizations, including the Global Lyme Alliance, Spirituality for Kids, Make a Wish Foundation, American Family Housing, Feed the Children, Shelter for the Homeless, The City of Hope, and Kids Creating Peace.