Amalija Knavs, the mother of former first lady Melania Trump, has passed away at the age of 78. The news was announced by Melania Trump on her social media platform, X, where she expressed her deep sadness and described her mother as a strong woman who carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity. The cause of Amalija Knavs's death has not been disclosed.

Earlier, Donald Trump had informed guests at a celebration at his Mar-a-Lago estate that his mother-in-law was "very ill" and that Melania was with her at a hospital in Miami. Following his wife's announcement, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his sorrow and called it a "very sad night for the entire Trump family."

Amalija Knavs, along with her husband Viktor, had become U.S. citizens in 2018, sponsored by Melania Trump. They had taken the oath of office at a New York City courthouse while Donald Trump was serving as president. Prior to that, the Knavs had been living in the U.S. as permanent residents. Amalija Knavs occasionally appeared at the White House during Trump's presidency and was present at the debut of Melania's “Be Best” public awareness campaign in 2018.

Amalija Knavs was born in Slovenia in 1945 and worked as a textile factory worker. Along with Viktor, who was a car salesman, she raised Melania in the rural industrial town of Sevnica while Slovenia was under communist rule. Melania attended high school in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, and later changed her name to Melania Knauss when she started her modeling career. She settled in New York in 1996 and met Donald Trump two years later, eventually marrying him in 2005.

Amalija Knavs's passing marks a significant loss for the Trump family, as they remember her as an incredible woman who will be deeply missed. Her legacy of strength, devotion, and love for her family will be honored and cherished.