Eternal Radiance: Melania Trump’s Poignant Tribute to Her Mother, Amalija Knavs
A Farewell Steeped in Love and Loss
On a somber Thursday in 2024, the hallowed sanctuary of The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, bore witness to a poignant farewell as former First Lady Melania Trump bade a heartfelt adieu to her beloved mother, Amalija Knavs. The church, where Melania and former President Donald Trump exchanged their marital vows in 2005, served as a solemn backdrop for this intimate gathering of family and close friends.
Melania, draped in a black dress and sunglasses, her countenance etched with sorrow, stood before the congregation, her voice laden with emotion as she eulogized her mother. She spoke of Amalija as a radiant beacon, a constant source of love and unwavering support. “In her presence, the world seemed to shimmer with radiance and joy,” Melania reminisced, her words echoing through the hushed sanctuary. “Our bond was unbreakable.”
Melania recalled the laughter and grace that accompanied their travels together, the effortless flow of conversations imbued with charm and wisdom. She remembered her mother’s unwavering presence, celebrating family triumphs and standing steadfast during challenging times. Through it all, Amalija remained a pillar of strength and resilience, a guiding light illuminating their path.
As Melania concluded her eulogy, the weight of her grief palpable, she approached her mother’s casket, her fingers gently grazing her lips before resting upon the polished wood. A profound moment of silent connection, a final farewell between mother and daughter, resonated within the church walls.
A Gathering of Respect and Remembrance
Among those gathered to pay their respects were Donald Trump’s children from previous marriages, Tiffany and Ivanka Trump, accompanied by Ivanka’s husband, Jared Kushner. Republican U.S. Senators Rick Scott of Florida and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina also attended, their presence a testament to the esteem in which Amalija was held.
The service commenced at midmorning, a hearse solemnly gliding to a halt in front of the church, followed by an SUV carrying the former president and first lady and two additional vehicles with their Secret Service detail. Melania, accompanied by her father, Viktor Knavs, led the procession up the church steps, their footsteps echoing in the tranquil morning air. They were joined by the former president and their son, Barron, their faces etched with somberness.
As the coffin, draped in a pall of white, was reverently lifted from the hearse and carried into the church, a palpable sense of loss hung in the air. Following the service, a priest solemnly waved an urn of incense as a man held aloft a cross, leading the procession as the coffin emerged from the church. Melania and her father, their heads bowed in grief, walked behind, followed by Donald Trump and Barron.
The coffin was gently placed in the hearse, and the former president and first lady exchanged brief pleasantries with the priest. Donald Trump escorted his wife to an SUV with her father, while he boarded a separate vehicle, each bearing the weight of their shared loss.
A Lifetime of Love and Legacy
During the Trump presidency, Amalija Knavs resided in New York alongside her husband, occasionally gracing the White House with her presence. She was present at a notable 2018 ceremony where Melania unveiled her “Be Best” public awareness campaign, aimed at promoting the well-being of children.
Amalija and Viktor Knavs raised Melania, born Melanija, and her elder sister, Ines, in the rural industrial town of Sevnica, Slovenia, during the Communist era under Yugoslav rule. Amalija worked tirelessly as a textile worker and homemaker, while her husband diligently served as a chauffeur before transitioning to a successful career as a car dealer.
Melania, now 53, attended high school in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, and later adopted the name Melania Knauss upon embarking on her modeling career. She eventually settled in New York in 1996, where she met Donald Trump in 1998, setting the stage for their subsequent marriage and political journey.
Melania, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to family, sponsored her parents’ immigration to the United States, culminating in their naturalization as citizens at a New York City courthouse in 2018, during Donald Trump’s presidency. Their lawyer emphasized that they pursued citizenship independently and received no preferential treatment.
A Difficult Choice and a Heartfelt Farewell
As fate would have it, Donald Trump found himself embroiled in a defamation trial in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday, facing allegations of publicly disparaging former advice columnist E. Jean Carroll after she accused him of rape. His legal team petitioned the judge to postpone the trial for a day to allow him to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral, but the request was denied. Faced with a difficult choice, Trump opted to skip Thursday’s court session, prioritizing his familial obligations over the ongoing legal proceedings.
The funeral of Amalija Knavs served as a poignant reminder of the enduring bonds of family, the unwavering love between mother and daughter, and the finality of life’s journey. As Melania Trump and her family bid farewell to their beloved matriarch, the memory of Amalija’s radiant spirit and unwavering support would forever remain etched in their hearts.