By Marisa Laudadio
12:55pm PST, Jan 14, 2024
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On Jan. 9, Melania Trump's family suffered a devastating loss when her mother, Amalija Knavs, died in Florida at 78. Her cause of death was not publicly disclosed.
The former first lady shared a statement honoring her mom, who emigrated from Slovenia to the United States with her husband, the former model's father, Viktor Knavs.
"It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija," Melania shared in her statement. "Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity. She was entirely devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law. We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy."
Amalija, a former textile factory worker, and Viktor, a former car dealer, were exceptionally close to their daughter — they even lived with Melania and husband Donald Trump in the upper floors of the White House when the businessman was president. The couple were sworn in as U.S. citizens in 2018.
Join us as we take a look at photos of Melania with her mother in recent years…
Melania Knauss and her mother, Amalija Knavs, attended the Zac Posen fall collection fashion show in Bryant Park in New York City on Feb. 12, 2004, a year before the model married Donald Trump.
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Donald Trump and Melania Trump and their son, Barron Trump, posed with her parents, Amalija Knavs and Viktor Knavs, and Santa Claus on Christmas Day 2008 at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
Following the news of Amalija's death, son-in-law Donald — who's a year younger than his mother-in-law — posted a tribute on his Truth Social platform, writing, "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!"
MORE: See the most glamorous photos of Donald Trump's late first wife, Ivana Trump
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Amalija Knavs and Viktor Knavs — the parents of first lady Melania Trump — arrived to listen to President Donald Trump's acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 27, 2020.
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump — followed by her parents, Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs — arrived for a Christmas Eve dinner with family at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 24, 2019.
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President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, son Barron Trump and Melania's parents, Amalija Knavs and Viktor Knavs, returned to the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 18, 2019, after two weeks spent at Trump's golf club in New Jersey.
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First lady Melania Trump's parents, Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs, walked to board Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, on Aug. 16, 2020.
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Amalija Knavs — the mother of Melania Knauss, the future Mrs. Donald Trump — attended the Zac Posen fall collection fashion show in Bryant Park in New York City on Feb. 12, 2004.
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First lady Melania Trump's parents, Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs, arrived on the South Lawn upon their return to the White House in Washington, D.C., after a weekend at Donald Trump's Bedminster club in New Jersey, on Aug. 19, 2018.
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First lady Melania Trump, surrounded by son Barron Trump, parents Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs and second lady Karen Pence and Vice President Mike Pence, stood on stage after husband Donald Trump formally accepted the 2020 Republican presidential nomination during his Republican National Convention address from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 27, 2020.
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President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence sat in front of Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs — the parents of first lady Melania Trump — as they listened to the first lady's address to the Republican National Convention from the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 25, 2020.
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Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs, the parents of first lady Melania Trump, departed the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26, 2019.
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Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs, the parents of first lady Melania Trump, arrived at the White House in Washington, D.C., after a trip to New Jersey on June 11, 2017.
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Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs, the parents of first lady Melania Trump, walked on the tarmac after they stepped off Air Force One upon arriving at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on March 17, 2017.
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Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs, the parents of first lady Melania Trump, walked to the White House after disembarking from Marine One with President Donald Trump, Melania and grandson Barron Trump on Aug. 19, 2018, following a visit to Trump's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
