18 January 2024 , 16:50
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Donald and Melania Trump were seen looking solemn as they left The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, near his Mar-a-Lago estate, after attending the funeral of Melania's mother.
The first photo showed Donald, Melania, their son Baron, and Melania's father watching as Amalija's coffin was carried out. The Trump family attended to pay their respects. Rev. Tim Schenck, who joined Bethesda as rector in 2022, greeted them at the church where Donald is a long-time member. The Palm Beach church, surrounded by palm trees, is also where Donald and Melania got married in 2005.
Trump, Melania, and Baron travelled in one car, while Melania's father, Viktor, followed in another. They all arrived together, with the men dressed in dark suits and ties, and Melania in a black suit jacket and skirt, accessorised with a silver cross necklace. Ivanka and Tiffany Trump, along with their husbands, were also present and entered quietly. Knavs' casket was escorted by Secret Service members and followed by Trump's motorcade.
Barron trailed his dad on the way to the church (AFP via Getty Images)Melania announced her mother's passing on January 9th via X. "It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija," she wrote. "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 measure and continue to honour and love her legacy."
Donald Trump, despite his election campaign and legal troubles, took a day off to attend the funeral in Florida. "Today will be devoted to the funeral (Celebration!!!) of a GREAT WOMAN, 'Babi,' the Beloved Mother of Melania and Grandmother of Barron - And what a Woman she was!!!" Trump posted on Truth Social yesterday.
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During Trump's presidency, Amalija Knavs lived in New York with her husband, Viktor Knavs, who survives her. She occasionally made appearances at the White House. She was present at a 2018 ceremony where Melania launched her "Be Best" campaign to support children.
The family were in attendance (AP)Melania sponsored her parents' move to the United States, and they became citizens at a New York City courthouse in 2018, during Trump's presidency. The Slovenian immigrants, a former car dealer and a textile factory worker, had been living in the U.S. as permanent residents.
Their lawyer stated at the time that they applied for citizenship independently and didn't receive any special treatment. Melania, originally named Melanija, was brought up by the Knavses in the industrial town of Sevnica during Slovenia's Communist era.
She went to high school in Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, and changed her name to Melania Knauss when she began her modelling career. She moved to New York in 1996, met Trump two years later and they tied the knot in 2005.
Just a day before the funeral, Trump was in New York dealing with another legal issue. He was threatened with being kicked out of his Manhattan civil trial on Wednesday after he repeatedly ignored warnings to stay silent while writer E. Jean Carroll testified that he ruined her reputation after she accused him of sexual abuse.
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