In a somber moment that touched hearts across the nation, Amalija Knavs, the mother of former first lady Melania Trump, bid her final farewell to the world at the age of 78.
Melania Trump, in an emotional statement, shared the heartbreaking news on Tuesday, saying, “It is with profound sorrow that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija.”
Amalija Knavs was a woman of extraordinary strength, known for her enduring grace, warmth, and unwavering dignity. Her life was devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law. As the world mourns her loss, we remember and cherish the legacy she leaves behind.
While the exact cause of her passing remains undisclosed, it is known that Amalija had been battling illness for some time. Her strength and resilience during her struggle were an inspiration to all who knew her.
Former President Donald Trump also shared his condolences and memories of his mother-in-law via his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday night. He expressed his deep sorrow, saying, “This is a very sad night for the entire Trump family!!! Melania’s great and beautiful mother, Amalija, has just gone to a beautiful place in the sky. She was an incredible woman, and will be missed far beyond words!”
In a poignant display of love and devotion, Melania Trump chose to skip her family’s annual Christmas photo, which typically features her husband and three of his five children, to be by her mother’s side in the hospital during her time of need.
Throughout her life, Melania Trump and her Slovenian mother shared an incredibly close bond, as noted by her former senior aide, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff. “Melania has always taken care of her parents. I pray for Amalija,” the author of “Melania and Me” said.
The Knavs family officially became US citizens in 2018, just two years into their son-in-law’s presidency. Their journey to citizenship, marked by the issuance of green cards, raised questions about family reunification policies, which Donald Trump had criticized as “chain migration” at the time. Despite this, they chose to stay out of the political limelight, opting for a quiet life at Mar-a-Lago over the past few years.
Amalija and Viktor Knavs had raised their daughter in the modest setting of Sevnica, a rural industrial town in Slovenia, during a period when the country was under Communist rule. Amalija worked tirelessly in a textile factory, while Viktor pursued a career as a car dealer.
Their daughter, Melania, embarked on a remarkable journey that saw her transition from a young girl in Sevnica to a world-renowned model. In 1996, she made New York City her home, where she would meet and eventually marry businessman Donald Trump in 2005, becoming his third wife.
As we bid farewell to Amalija Knavs, we remember the strength, warmth, and grace that defined her life. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her family and all who were fortunate to know her. Melania Trump and her family, in this time of profound loss, find solace in the memories of a remarkable woman who left an indelible mark on their lives and on the world.
