Melania Trump called her mother 'strong' and 'entirely devoted' to her family
Melania Trump reflects on media criticism during time as First Lady: 'They're biased'
Former First Lady Melania Trump sat down with 'Fox & Friends Weekend' co-host Pete Hegseth to discuss media scrutiny, the opioid crisis, and her initiative to help foster children through 'Fostering the Future.'
Former first lady Melania Trump announced the passing of her mother, Amalija Knavs, on Tuesday.
"It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija," the former first lady wrote in a X post.
Trump called her mother "strong" and "entirely devoted" to her family.
"Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity," Trump wrote. "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," she added.
MELANIA TRUMP SPENDS CHRISTMAS WITH AILING MOTHER, MISSING MAR-A-LAGO CELEBRATION
First lady Melania Trump's parents, Viktor Knavs and the late Amalija Knavs arrive on the South Lawn of the White House, on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija.
— MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) January 10, 2024
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…
The news comes after former President Donald Trump said that Knavs was "very ill" at his New Year's Eve's celebration at his home in South Florida.
MELANIA TRUMP TO SPEAK TO NEW AMERICAN CITIZENS ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY OF 'GUARDING OUR FREEDOM'
"Hopefully she'll be recovering,' the former president said after mentioning he had gotten off the phone with Melania who was at a Miami hospital with her sick mother.
"It's a tough one, a very tough one," Trump continued.
Viktor and the late Amalija Knavs, the parents of US First Lady Melania Trump, make their way to a vehicle upon arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida on March 17, 2017. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Similarly, Melania was absent from the family's Christmas celebrations as she took care of her ailing mother.
"Melania has always been very devoted to her entire family," a source close to Melania Trump told Fox News Digital. "It should be no surprise that she spent this Christmas with her ailing mother."
Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
She is a native of Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to
