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Melania Trump has carved out her own life in the U.S., but her journey is closely intertwined with her parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs. Here’s a closer look at this couple and their transition from Slovenia to America.
Background of Viktor and Amalija Knavs
Viktor and Amalija Knavs hail from Slovenia and have backgrounds in the fashion and automotive industries. Originally from a small town about an hour from Slovenia’s capital, they moved to the U.S. after their daughter Melania married Donald Trump.
Their Early Life and Meeting
The Knavs met in Slovenia in 1966, during a time when the country was still part of Yugoslavia. They settled in Sevnica, where Viktor was active in the local Communist Party and worked as a chauffeur for the mayor and later for the head of the state-owned textile factory, Jutranjka. Amalija worked alongside him at the factory as a patternmaker.
Family and Children
Viktor and Amalija have two daughters: Ines, born in 1968, and Melania, born in 1970. Viktor also has a son, Denis Cigelnjak, from a previous relationship. The family lived primarily in Sevnica and Ljubljana, often taking vacations to France, Italy, and Germany.
Careers
Amalija’s career in the fashion industry played a significant role in Melania’s eventual modeling career. She worked as a patternmaker at a children’s clothing factory for over three decades, from 1964 to 1997. According to author Betty Boyd Caroli, Amalija “laid the foundation” for Melania’s future in fashion.
Viktor transitioned from being a chauffeur to a traveling car salesman and eventually opened his own bicycle and car parts shop in Ljubljana. Melania has praised both her father and her husband as “hardworking” individuals, noting their shared values despite their different upbringings.
Age Parallels
Interestingly, Melania’s parents and Donald Trump were all born within two years of each other. Viktor was born on March 24, 1944, Amalija on July 9, 1945, and Donald Trump on June 14, 1946. However, there is a significant age gap between Melania and Donald, with Trump being 24 years her senior.
Life in the White House
During Donald Trump’s presidency, the Knavs lived in the White House, occupying the suite previously used by Barack Obama’s mother. They also maintained residences at Trump Tower in New York and Mar-a-Lago in Florida, while still owning properties in Slovenia, visiting two to three times a year.
This family narrative paints a picture of the Knavs as a supportive and integral part of Melania Trump’s life, both before and during her time as First Lady.