Melania Trump announces mother's passing

Former First Lady Melania Trump announced on Tuesday that her mother Amalija Knavs had passed away at the age of 78.

"It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija," the former first lady wrote on X. "Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity," Trump wrote. "She was entirely devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law."

"We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy," she added.

Melania missed the family holiday photo on Christmas Eve and the New Year's Eve party at Mar-A-Lago to be with her ailing mother in the hospital, according to previous reports.

Her husband, Donald Trump, had referenced her absence at the time of the festivities and expressed hope that Knavs would recover.

"Hopefully she'll be recovering,' the former president said after speaking to Melania on the phone that night. "It's a tough one, a very tough one."