The Enduring Legacy Of Amalija Knavs: 7 Key Facts About Melania Trump's Beloved Mother

The passing of Amalija Knavs on January 9, 2024, at the age of 78, marked the end of a life defined by quiet strength, devotion to family, and a remarkable journey from communist-era Slovenia to the world stage of the American presidency. As of December 13, 2025, her legacy continues to be celebrated, painting a portrait of the woman who was the bedrock of former First Lady Melania Trump’s life and a devoted grandmother to Barron Trump. Her story is a testament to the American Dream, achieved through hard work and a fierce commitment to her children. Amalija Knavs, née Ulčnik, was a private figure who nonetheless played a critical, behind-the-scenes role in one of the world's most scrutinized political families. Her life, which spanned nearly eight decades, was one of dedication, first as a patternmaker in the textile industry and later as a central figure in the Trump family's personal life. The profound sadness expressed by Melania Trump upon her mother's passing highlighted the exceptionally close bond they shared, a relationship that shaped the former First Lady's own sense of grace and resilience.

Amalija Knavs: Full Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Amalija Knavs (née Ulčnik)
• Date of Birth: July 9, 1945
• Place of Birth: Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia)
• Date of Death: January 9, 2024
• Age at Death: 78
• Spouse: Viktor Knavs (married 1966)
• Children: Ines Knavs (b. 1968) and Melanija Knavs (Melania Trump) (b. 1970)
• Grandchild: Barron Trump
• Occupation: Patternmaker and textile worker
• Hometown in Slovenia: Sevnica
• Citizenship: Slovenian and Naturalized U.S. Citizen (2018)
• Residence at Time of Death: Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida

1. The Humble Roots of a Textile Patternmaker in Sevnica

Amalija Knavs’ early life was rooted in the small, industrial town of Sevnica, nestled in the picturesque hills of southeastern Slovenia. She was born Amalija Ulčnik in 1945. Her professional life was spent in the local textile factory, *Jutranjka*, where she worked as a dedicated patternmaker. This career was more than just a job; it was a foundational influence on her daughter, Melania. Amalija's work involved designing and creating clothing patterns, particularly for children's wear. This meticulous, creative, and detail-oriented profession instilled in Melania an early appreciation for fashion, design, and quality craftsmanship, a passion that would later define her career as a model and her polished style as First Lady. The Knavs family, including her husband Viktor Knavs, lived in a modest apartment block provided for the workers of the government-owned textile factory. This upbringing under the communist regime of Yugoslavia gave Amalija a deep appreciation for stability and a strong work ethic, values she passed on to both her daughters, Melania and her older sister, Ines Knavs.

2. The Unbreakable Bond with Melania Trump

The relationship between Amalija and Melania was famously close and profoundly influential. Melania often spoke of her mother as a source of strength and grace. Amalija was instrumental in Melania's early career, reportedly helping her with her first modeling shoots and encouraging her transition from Slovenia to the global fashion capitals of Milan and New York. Even after Melania married Donald Trump and moved into the White House, Amalija and Viktor Knavs remained a constant, stabilizing presence. They were often seen with the family, providing a vital link to Melania’s past and offering quiet support during the turbulent years of the Trump presidency.

3. A Devoted Grandmother to Barron Trump

One of Amalija Knavs’ most significant and well-documented roles in her later years was that of a devoted grandmother to Barron Trump. During Donald Trump’s presidency, Amalija and Viktor frequently spent time in New York and Washington, D.C., often helping to care for their grandson, Barron. This close involvement provided a sense of normalcy and continuity for the young boy amid the intense public scrutiny of the White House. Sources close to the family have consistently noted the pivotal role the Knavs couple played in Barron’s upbringing, a reflection of their traditional, family-first values. This dedication to her grandson cemented her status as the quiet, loving matriarch of the family.

4. The Knavs Family’s Naturalization and U.S. Citizenship

Amalija and Viktor Knavs achieved a major personal milestone when they were sworn in as naturalized U.S. citizens in August 2018. The couple, who had been living in the United States as permanent residents, took the oath of allegiance in New York City. Their naturalization process, which was reportedly sponsored by their daughter Melania, brought their journey full circle, officially making them American citizens. This step was a powerful symbol of their commitment to their new home and their desire to be permanently close to their daughter and grandson. It also highlighted the complex, often contradictory nature of the immigration debate during the Trump administration, as the Knavses obtained their citizenship through the process of family reunification.

5. Her Legacy of Grace and Privacy

Despite being the parents of the First Lady, Amalija and Viktor Knavs maintained a remarkable degree of privacy. They rarely gave interviews and were known for their reserved, dignified demeanor during their limited public appearances. This preference for privacy mirrored Melania Trump's own reserved public persona. Amalija was consistently described by her daughter as a woman of "grace, charm, and dignity," qualities she clearly passed down. Her funeral, held in January 2024, was a private affair attended by the family, including Donald Trump and Barron Trump, underscoring the Knavs family's desire for discretion even in their final farewell. Melania delivered a heartfelt eulogy, describing her mother as a "ray of light" and a truly exceptional woman.

6. The Influence of Sister Ines Knavs

Amalija and Viktor had two daughters, Melania and Ines Knavs. Ines, Melania's older sister, is an artist who also lives in the United States and maintains a close relationship with the family. Ines Knavs is known to be very protective of her younger sister and often uses her artistic talents to support Melania. The two sisters share a bond that was forged during their childhood in Sevnica. Amalija's dedication to both her daughters ensured that they remained close-knit, even as one became one of the most famous women in the world and the other pursued a quieter life in the arts.

7. The Final Years at Mar-a-Lago

In her final years, Amalija Knavs resided primarily at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, where she was able to spend quality time with Melania, Donald, and Barron. This period allowed the family to be together in a more relaxed and private setting following the end of the Trump presidency. Her presence at the family's Florida estate was a comforting constant, providing the familiar, stable environment she had always cultivated for her loved ones. Her passing on January 9, 2024, followed a period of illness, bringing to a close the life of a woman who was the quiet force behind a powerful family.