Former First Lady Melania Trump has announced the passing of her mother, Amalija Knavs, at the age of 78. She shared the news of her mother’s death on social media Tuesday night, expressing her deep sorrow.
In a heartfelt post, Melania Trump, aged 53, paid tribute to her mother, describing Amalija as “a strong woman who carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity.” She emphasized her mother’s devotion to her family, including her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law, and noted that her presence would be profoundly missed.
The cause of Amalija’s death was not disclosed, and further details were not immediately available from the former first lady’s spokesperson.
According to a report by Newsweek, former President Donald Trump had informed guests at a New Year’s Eve celebration that Melania was unable to attend as she was at a Miami hospital with her mother, who was reportedly very ill at the time.
Amalija Knavs, who immigrated from Slovenia and worked in a textile factory, played a significant role in Melania’s upbringing in a small town in Slovenia. Melania later moved to New York in 1996 to pursue a modeling career, where she eventually met Donald Trump.
Melania’s parents, Amalija and Viktor Knavs, eventually settled in the United States, obtaining permanent residency and later U.S. citizenship in 2018. At the time of their citizenship ceremony, their immigration lawyer confirmed that Melania Trump had sponsored them. Their naturalization process was part of a family-based immigration system, a policy frequently criticized by President Trump during his tenure in office.