Amalija Knavs, the mother of Melania Trump, has died at the age of 78.
The former first lady announced her death on Tuesday evening, writing on X: “It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija.
“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 honour and love her legacy.”
The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
Donald Trump had told guests at a celebration at his Mar-a-Lago estate that his mother-in-law was “very ill” and that his wife was with her at a hospital in Miami.
Writing on his social media platform Truth Social after his wife’s announcement, Mr Trump said: “This is a very sad night for the entire Trump family!
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“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!”
Mrs Trump sponsored her parents’ immigration to the United States, and they took the oath of office to become citizens at a New York City courthouse in 2018, while Trump was president.
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Before that, the Slovenian immigrants had been living in the US as permanent residents.
The former first lady’s mother lived in New York along with her father, Viktor Knavs, and occasionally appeared at the White House during Mr Trump’s term as president.
Mrs Knavs was also at a 2018 ceremony where the then first lady debuted her “Be Best” public awareness campaign to help children.
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The Knavs raised Melania, born Melanija, in the rural industrial town of Sevnica, while Slovenia was under communist rule.
Mrs Knavs had worked at a textile factory, while Mr Knavs was a car salesman.
Mrs Trump attended high school in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, and changed her name to Melania Knauss when she started modelling.
She settled in New York in 1996 and met Mr Trump two years later, who she married in 2005.
