In November of last year, Donald Trump was re-elected President of the United States of America. His re-election has now led the Republicans to begin a second four-year term in the White House.
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Therefore, his wife, Melania, has officially returned to her role as First Lady of United States. In fact her transition into the White House is currently being filmed for her brand new Amazon Prime documentary. Being by Trump's side means that all eyes are on you at all times, and she has been showing her side of the story now more than ever, especially following the release of her successful memoir—her parents being a big part of that.
Melania, who married the current President of the United States in 2005, is originally from Slovenia. Throughout her journey, first as a model, and then in politics, she has always been supported by her parents, who followed her to the United States and obtained American citizenship in 2018.
Melania has always spoken highly of her parents – particularly of her mother, who passed away in 2024, with whom she had a very close relationship. But who exactly are Amalija and Viktor Knavs, and what do we know about them?
About Amalija and Viktor Knavs
As per People, Amalija (born in 1945) and Viktor Knavs (born in 1944) met in 1966 in Slovenia, which was then part of Yugoslavia. In addition to Melania, born in 1970, the couple had another daughter, Ines, born in 1968. Amalija worked until her retirement in 1997 at a textile factory producing children’s clothing – she was responsible for designing textile patterns. According to Melania, it was her mother who laid the foundation for her future career as a model and sparked her passion for fashion.
Her father, Viktor Knavs, worked for a long time as a chauffeur for the Communist Party in Sevnica, where the couple lived, and also for the head of the same textile factory. Later, he became a car salesman, before opening his own shop for car and bicycle spare parts in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.
Thus, Melania and Ines grew up both in Sevnica and Ljubljana. Melania attended high school in the capital – when she started receiving modelling offers, she changed her name to Melania Knauss.
Melania speaks affectionately about her parents
Melania has always had a particularly good relationship with her parents. She described her father as very 'smart and capable', comparing him to her husband, Donald Trump (born in 1946), who is just two years younger than Viktor. According to her, both work extremely hard.
Although they come from completely different backgrounds, they share similar values and traditions, explained the First Lady.
Melania Trump also had a very close relationship with her mother. During Amalija Knavs' funeral, the First Lady said:
Our bond was unbreakable. In her presence, the world seemed to shine.
Amalija passed away on 9 January 2024, at the age of 78.
This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag DE.
Read more:
Rare videos of the Trump family: From baby Barron to Melania posing as POTUS in old Slovenian ad
Melania Trump: This man claims to be her half-brother, what we know about Denis Cigelnjak
Melania Trump's mysterious love life: What do we know about her dating history?
Sources used:
People Magazine: All About Melania Trump's Parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs
Hello! Magazine: Meet Melania Trump's mom and dad and her ultra-private sister
jacksonville.com: Meet the newest U.S. citizens: Melania Trump's parents
