Amalija Knavs, mother of former First Lady Melania Trump, has passed away at the age of 78. The news was confirmed by Melania Trump in a heartfelt social media post.

"Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity," Melania wrote, commemorating her mother's life. The announcement comes after reports that Knavs had been 'very ill' towards the end of 2023.

Born in Slovenia, Amalija Knavs and her husband Viktor raised their daughter Melania in Sevnica before she moved to the United States and eventually became the First Lady. Melania often spoke about the influence her parents had on her upbringing and the values they instilled in her.

Knavs' long health battle became public knowledge after comments from her son-in-law, former US President Donald Trump. The family has not disclosed further details about her illness.

The passing of Amalija Knavs has led to an outpouring of condolences for the Trump family from various quarters. Despite being relatively private figures, Melania's parents became more publicly known during Donald Trump's tenure as President.

This is a significant loss for the Trump family and they have requested privacy during this difficult time. Further information about memorial services or plans to honor Knavs' life has not yet been released.