In a solemn ceremony in Florida, the 45th First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, bid farewell to her mother, Amalija Knavs, during a private funeral service. The event took place at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, in close proximity to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
At the age of 78, Amalija Knavs passed away on January 9. Her life was celebrated in a service that began at 10 a.m., where Melania, 53, gave a heartfelt eulogy. In her tribute, Melania spoke of her mother’s “nurturing spirit” and “unparalleled affection,” describing her as the epitome of a mother, wife, grandmother, and mother-in-law. Melania remembered her mother as a beacon of love and luxury, admiring her beauty and impeccable fashion sense, which often garnered attention.
During the seven-minute eulogy, Melania expressed her admiration for her mother, calling her an inspiration and a role model. She concluded her speech with the words, “Rest in peace, my beloved mommy.”
The funeral was attended by family members, including Donald Trump, the couple’s son Barron, and Melania’s father, Viktor Knavs. As the procession commenced, Melania, dressed in a black suit and sunglasses, appeared composed. The coffin, adorned with white flowers, was carried into the church. The family, including Donald Trump, stood solemnly by her side during the service.
Also in attendance were other members of the Trump family, such as Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Tiffany Trump, and Kimberly Guilfoyle, the fiancée of Donald Trump Jr. The service saw the gathering of the extended Trump family.
45th President Donald Trump, who is currently a leading figure in the GOP and was engaged in a defamation trial in New York City, took time off to attend the funeral. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the trial judge’s decision not to delay the proceedings for the funeral.
The funeral took place in the same church where Melania and Donald Trump were married in 2005. Ahead of the service, the town of Palm Beach issued traffic alerts due to the expected congestion near the church.
In a recent speech, Donald Trump spoke highly of his late mother-in-law, expressing his gratitude and admiration for her. He described her as a special and incredible person.
Amalija Knavs is survived by her husband Viktor, her daughters Melania and Ines, and her grandson Barron. The Knavses, originally from Sevnica in what was then Communist Yugoslavia, maintained a low profile during their daughter’s marriage to Donald Trump. They appeared occasionally at the White House during Trump’s presidency and became naturalized U.S. citizens in 2018.
Melania, who had sponsored her parents for U.S. citizenship, announced her mother’s passing in a statement, honoring her as a strong woman of grace, warmth, and dignity, devoted to her family. She expressed the family’s deep sense of loss and their intent to continue honoring Amalija’s legacy.
So sorry to hear about milania’s mom. May she rest in peace? And I’m sure she is in God’s hands.