An enigmatic figure emerges from the shadows of the Trump family's inner circle as Melania Trump prepares for her second stint as First Lady.
According to Daily Mail, Ines Knauss, Melania Trump's older sister who hasn't been seen publicly in 20 years, has been revealed as the former First Lady's closest confidante and "guiding light."
Knauss, 56, maintains an extremely private lifestyle despite her deep connection to one of America's most prominent families. She has been notably absent from major family events, including her mother Amalija's funeral in January 2024 and Donald Trump's first inauguration in 2016.
An insider close to Melania Trump revealed the depth of her relationship with Knauss to the Daily Mail. Immigration attorney Michael Wildes, who has worked with both sisters, described Knauss as extraordinarily talented and deeply devoted to her role as sister and aunt to Barron Trump.
Italian designer Luisa Bonaccorsi, who has known Melania for 25 years, shared her impressions of meeting Knauss at Melania's 2005 wedding to Donald Trump, where Knauss served as maid of honor. She found Knauss to be "really lovely" though notably private.
Stephanie Winston-Wolkoff, Melania's former senior aide, offered a different perspective. She shared her thoughts about Knauss through her memoir:
I have met... Ines, but even upon threat of death, I couldn't remember a thing about her. I've heard she is a homebody. She flies so far below the radar, many people are surprised to learn that Melania has a sister at all.
The sisters grew up in Sevnica, Slovenia, where they lived with their parents in a three-bedroom apartment. Their father Viktor sold car parts while their mother Amalija worked as a patternmaker for a fashion company.
Despite their modest background, the family provided the sisters with a comfortable upbringing, including a private nanny. According to Melania's memoir, they spent their teenage years sharing music, discussing trends, and supporting each other's aspirations.
Knauss attended the Secondary School for Design and Photography in Ljubljana at age 15, living independently in an apartment purchased by their parents. Two years later, Melania joined her sister at the same school, marking the beginning of their adult relationship.
Currently, Knauss resides in a $1.5 million apartment held by The Donald J Trump Revocable Trust. The property is located in a Trump-owned building that underwent extensive renovation after its $115 million purchase in 2001.
She reportedly divides her time between New York City and Palm Beach, frequently visiting Mar-a-Lago. Despite her private nature, Knauss appears to maintain active social media accounts, though their authenticity has not been confirmed.
The former First Lady credits her sister with encouraging her modeling career by suggesting she enter the "Look of the Year" contest in Slovenia, which launched her international career.
Ines Knauss continues to play a vital role in Melania Trump's life as the former First Lady returns to the spotlight. As one of her most trusted confidantes alongside their father, Knauss provides crucial support while maintaining her preference for privacy. Their enduring relationship, forged in childhood and strengthened through shared experiences, demonstrates the importance of family bonds in navigating public life. As Donald Trump begins his second presidency, observers wonder if Knauss will maintain her decades-long absence from public view or emerge to support her sister in her renewed role as First Lady.
