The ex-First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, has confirmed the passing of her mother, Amalija Knavs, at the age of 78.
“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother,” Trump posted late Tuesday on X, the former Twitter.
“Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity,” she said, adding: “We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy.”
Melania Trump’s mother, Amalija Knavs, arrived in the United States with her husband Victor Knavs from Slovenia. Following an extensive immigration process, the couple, supported by their adult daughter Melania, took the oath to become US citizens in 2018 during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Having initially obtained legal permanent residency, they utilized the family reunification visa process that President Donald Trump had criticized as “chain migration” and advocated abolishing. Melania Trump, in 2017, became the first presidential wife born outside the United States since Louisa Adams in 1825.
Despite President Trump’s strong stance on immigration restrictions, including the proposed border wall and limitations on various immigration and visa mechanisms, Melania’s parents navigated the system to obtain US citizenship.
Amalija Knavs, who worked at a local textile factory in Slovenia, introducing Melania to the fashion world as a child model in the mid-1970s, passed away at the age of 78. The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences on his Truth Social media platform, referring to it as “a very sad night” for the Trump family.
“Melania’s great and beautiful mother, Amalija, has just gone to a beautiful place in the sky,” he added. “She was an incredible woman, and will be missed far beyond words!”
