At the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, a solemn gathering marked the final farewell to Amalija Knavs, mother of Melania Trump.
The Trump family attended the private service on January 19th, with Melania Trump delivering a heartfelt eulogy for her late mother.
Former First Lady Melania Trump led the tributes, remembering her mother as an embodiment of love and luxury. She highlighted her mother's nurturing spirit and unparalleled affection, not just as a mother but also as a grandmother and mother-in-law.
Melania Trump's eulogy was a poignant 7-minute homage to a woman who was a true inspiration and role model to her.
Amalija Knavs, who passed away on January 9th at age 78, was born in Slovenia. She raised Melania and her sister Ines in the town of Sevnica. In her later years, she lived with the Trump family at their Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Melania Trump recounted how her mother's style and beauty turned many heads, a testament to her vibrant spirit.
Donald Trump, the former President, along with his wife Melania, their son Barron, and Melania's father Viktor Knavs, stood together as pallbearers brought the coffin into the church. This church holds a special place in the Trumps' history, as it was also the venue for Donald and Melania Trump's wedding in 2005.
In her emotional eulogy, Melania Trump said:
She embodied the best mother, wife, grandmother, mother-in-law — a true beacon of love and luxury in our lives. Rest in peace, my beloved mommy.
Donald Trump, who missed a day of his defamation trial with E. Jean Carroll to attend the funeral, had previously criticized the judge's decision not to postpone the trial. He described the judge's decision as "terrible." The former President had also praised his late mother-in-law during a campaign rally in Iowa just days before the funeral.
The funeral saw the attendance of several Trump family members, including Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Tiffany Trump, and Kimberly Guilfoyle. The service was a private affair, with close family and friends commemorating the life of Amalija Knavs.
The Knavs family's journey to America culminated with Amalija and her husband Viktor gaining U.S. citizenship in 2018, a process sponsored by Melania. This final chapter in their American dream was marked by their life at Mar-a-Lago, the Trump family estate, where they spent their final years in the United States.
The service at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea was a serene event, marked by the presence of the Trump family and their solemn remembrances. The Palm Beach community had been alerted to potential traffic congestion near the church, a sign of the significant impact of the event.
The life and legacy of Amalija Knavs were honored in a service reflecting her deep impact on her family. She leaves behind a legacy as a nurturing and stylish matriarch, remembered lovingly by her family and friends. Melania Trump's eulogy underscored her mother's profound influence on her life, serving as a beacon of love and luxury.
Despite the judge's decision, Donald Trump's absence from his trial indicated the importance of the occasion. The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, a site of personal significance for the Trumps, provided a fitting backdrop for this final farewell.
As the Trump family continues to navigate the public eye, this private moment of mourning offered a glimpse into their personal life and the bonds that tie them together.
