It has been a huge year so far for Melania Trump. She witnessed her husband Donald Trump go on criminal trial, then campaign to become president, then face a number of assassination attempts, before winning the race to the Oval Office.
On top of this, she's witnessed her son Barron graduate from high school and head off to New York University's Stern School of Business, published her own bombshell memoir, and faced her own realization that she'll be heading back to the White House too.
But no doubt, what may have been the saddest moment for the former model this year, was the death of her mother Amalija Knavs in January. Her father, Viktor, is still alive.
© GIORGIO VIERA"It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija," Melania wrote in a statement on X.
"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."
When Melania first moved to the White House, her parents also lived there part time, reportedly residing in a suite once occupied by former President Barack Obama's mother. They received green cards as U.S. citizens in 2018, sponsored by their daughter.
Here's all you need to know about Melania's family.
Amalija Knavs
© SAUL LOEBBorn on July 9, 1945, in Judendorf-Straßengel, Austria, Amalija grew up working on her family's onion farm, before working at a state-owned children's clothing factory where she created and monitored textile patterns. She was raised between Austria and Slovenia.
She reportedly met her husband Viktor in Slovenia, then a part of former Yugoslavia, in 1966. They had two daughters, Ines, born in 1968, and Melania, who was born in 1970.
She retired as a pattern maker in 1997, according to The New Yorker. But Melania credits her mom for instilling a love of fashion in her.
© Davidoff Studios PhotographyAmalija was close to her grandson Barron, who frequently called his grandmother to converse in Slovenian.This led to the teenager becoming bilingual, speaking both his mother's native tongue and English.
When she passed away in 2024, Melania said at her funeral: "In her presence, the world seemed to shimmer with radiance and joy. Our bond was unbreakable."
Viktor and Amalija met in Slovenia (when it was still a part of then-Yugoslavia) in 1966, according to GQ. The couple eventually moved into an apartment in the small, hilly town of Sevnica, Slovenia.
Viktor Knavs
© The Washington PostMelania's father was reportedly born 24 March 1944 in Radece, Slovenia, then a part of former Yugoslavia. When he married Amalija, he was a member of the Sevnica Communist Party, working as a chauffeur — first for the mayor of a neighboring town and then for the head of the government-owned textile factory.
Following his stint as a chauffeur, Viktor became a traveling car salesman for a state-owned car company, per GQ. He opened his own bicycle and car parts shop in Ljubljana
© Davidoff Studios PhotographyThe first lady revealed that her father is similar to her husband, as they're both "hardworking." She called them "both very smart and very capable" despite their different upbringings, although they are part of the same generation, being born within two years of each other.
As well as being father to Melania and Ines, Viktor has a son, Denis Cigelnjak, from a previous relationship who he has never acknowledged.
Ines Knauss
© CAPEHARTThe future first lady has remained close to her older sister Ines throughout her life, as she lived just a few blocks away from the family in a $2 million apartment in the Trump Park Avenue property. She was Melania's maid of honor, moving to New York so they could be close together.
Ines is incredibly private, although she reportedly had aspirations to be a fashion designer in the 90s that she struggled to see through.
