From Communist Card-Carrier To US Citizen: 5 Shocking Facts About Melania Trump's Father, Viktor Knavs

The life of Viktor Knavs, the father of former First Lady Melania Trump, is a compelling narrative that spans continents, political systems, and social classes, making him one of the most intriguing figures in the extended Trump family. As of this current date, December 12, 2025, Knavs remains a private but highly visible figure, having recently attended the 60th Presidential Inauguration in January 2025, an event that once again highlighted his remarkable journey from Communist Yugoslavia to the heart of American politics. His story is a powerful testament to the immigrant experience, yet it is one that is also filled with surprising historical and political contrasts.

Born in a small Slovenian town during a period of profound global change, Knavs's early life and successful career as a businessman in the automotive industry laid the foundation for his daughter's eventual rise to international fame. This deep-dive article explores the full arc of his life, from his roots in Sevnica to his status as a naturalized American citizen, revealing the lesser-known details that define the man behind the former First Lady.

Viktor Knavs: A Complete Biographical Profile

Viktor Knavs's life is marked by a clear drive for business success and a quiet presence that has kept him largely out of the media spotlight, despite his daughter's high-profile role. Here is a comprehensive look at his life and career:

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• Full Name: Viktor Knavs
• Date of Birth: March 24, 1944
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 81 years old
• Place of Birth: Radeče, Slovenia (then part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
• Nationality: Slovenian-American (Naturalized US Citizen)
• Residence: United States (primarily New York and Florida)
• Spouse: Amalija Knavs (m. 1968)
• Children:
  • Ines Knavs (Older Sister)
  • Melanija Knavs (Melania Trump)
• Grandchild: Barron Trump
• Known Occupations: Chauffeur, Traveling Car Salesman, Car Dealership Owner, Entrepreneur (Bicycle/Car Parts)
• Political Affiliation (Yugoslavia): Member of the Sevnica Communist Party
• US Citizenship Date: August 2018 (Sworn in with his wife, Amalija, in Manhattan)

The Shocking Contrast: Communist Roots and Capitalist Success

One of the most fascinating aspects of Viktor Knavs's history is the stark contrast between his early life and his current status. Born in what was then Yugoslavia, a communist state, Knavs was a product of the system that his son-in-law, Donald Trump, and the American political right often criticize. This duality provides a rich context for understanding his journey.

Membership in the Sevnica Communist Party

During his younger years in Sevnica, Knavs was reportedly a card-carrying member of the local Communist Party. In the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, party membership was often a prerequisite for professional advancement and access to better opportunities. This membership, while a historical fact, allowed the Knavs family to enjoy a higher standard of living compared to many of their neighbors during that era. This detail is particularly striking given the family's later alignment with the Republican Party in the United States.

A Driven Automotive Entrepreneur

Viktor Knavs's professional life was centered on the automotive industry, a field that demanded both charisma and business acumen. He began his career as a chauffeur for a local mayor before transitioning to a traveling car salesman for a state-owned company. This role involved significant travel, which helped him develop the sales and networking skills that would define his success. Later, he leveraged this experience to become a true entrepreneur.

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He was not merely an employee; sources indicate Knavs eventually owned a chain of car dealerships in Slovenia and also opened his own shop selling bicycle and car parts. This successful venture into private business, despite the constraints of the communist system, is the foundation of his estimated wealth, which has been reported to be in the range of $10 million to $15 million as of 2023.

The Path to American Citizenship: A Controversial Immigration Detail

The Knavs family's transition to the United States and their eventual naturalization is a critical chapter in Viktor's story, especially because of its political implications. Viktor and his wife, Amalija Knavs, became naturalized US citizens in August 2018 during a private ceremony in Manhattan.

The "Chain Migration" Connection

While the Knavs family followed all legal procedures to obtain their citizenship, the method they likely used became a subject of political debate. Immigration experts strongly suggest that Viktor and Amalija Knavs relied on the family reunification process, a policy that allows US citizens (in this case, Melania Trump) to sponsor their relatives for Green Cards and eventually citizenship. This process is often referred to by critics, including Donald Trump himself, as "chain migration" and has been a central point of his immigration reform rhetoric. The fact that the parents of the then-First Lady benefited from the very system her husband sought to dismantle created a significant, albeit quiet, political irony.

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Life in the United States

Since gaining citizenship, Viktor and Amalija Knavs have largely maintained a low profile, splitting their time between New York and Florida, often staying in close proximity to their daughter and grandson, Barron Trump. Their presence offers Melania a strong link to her Slovenian heritage and a sense of family continuity. Reports suggest that Viktor is particularly involved in keeping his daughter informed about European affairs, a detail that hints at his continued engagement with global politics.

Viktor Knavs in 2025: A Continuing Presence

Despite his age and desire for privacy, Viktor Knavs has remained a visible figure at key political and family events in 2025, confirming his enduring connection to the Trump family's public life. His most recent and notable public appearance was in January 2025.

Attending the 60th Presidential Inauguration

In January 2025, Viktor Knavs attended the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C., a significant event that marked the beginning of a new term. He was photographed alongside his daughter, Melania Trump, and his grandson, Barron Trump, underscoring his role as the patriarch of the family. His presence at such a high-level political ceremony—a world away from his early life in communist Radeče—serves as the ultimate symbol of his extraordinary life trajectory and his firm establishment within the American political landscape.

The story of Viktor Knavs is more than just a footnote in the life of a First Lady; it is a compelling, complex tale of ambition, political adaptation, and the pursuit of the American Dream through a global lens. His journey from a Communist Party member in a small Slovenian town to a naturalized US citizen and a fixture at the Presidential Inauguration remains a fascinating study in modern history and personal transformation.