Amalia Knaves, the mother of former US First Lady Melania Trump, died at the age of 78, as announced her daughter and son-in-law on social media.

“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother,” Melania Trump wrote yesterday in a message to X, describing “a strong woman who always conducted herself with grace, warmth and dignity.”

“She was an incredible woman, who will be terribly missed,” her husband, Republican former President Donald Trump, said on the social media site Truth Social.

Amalia Knavs, a Slovenian citizen, settled with her husband in the US, where her daughter lived, when she was working as a model.

After many years, she received US citizenship in 2018 with her husband when Donald Trump was president.

Both benefited from a family reunification process, thanks to the sponsorship of their daughter Melania, US media reported. This system was criticized by their son-in-law, who tightened US immigration policy during his tenure.

The causes of death of Amalia Knaves were not disclosed by the Trump couple.