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Former first lady Melania Trump mourned her mother, Amalija Knavs, at a private funeral in Florida Thursday morning.

Knavs — who died Jan. 9 at age 78 — was honored in a 10 a.m. service at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, not far from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

Melania, 53, delivered an emotional eulogy that paid tribute to her mother’s “nurturing spirit” and “unparalleled affection.”

“She embodied the best mother, wife, grandmother, mother-in-law — a true beacon of love and luxury in our lives,” the former model said, noting her mother’s “beauty and impeccable sense of style” that “turned the heads of many.”

“She’s a true inspiration, a role model to me, and to so many,” she added.

Melania concluded the seven-minute speech by saying, “Rest in peace, my beloved mommy.”


  Donald and Melania Trump exit her mother’s funeral. MEGA for NY Post Donald and Melania Trump exit her mother’s funeral. MEGA for NY Post

  Donald and Melania Trump hold hands while exiting the funeral. MEGA for NY Post Donald and Melania Trump hold hands while exiting the funeral. MEGA for NY Post

  Melania Trump leaves the church following her mother’s funeral. MEGA for NY Post Melania Trump leaves the church following her mother’s funeral. MEGA for NY Post

  Melania Trump delivers the eulogy at her mother’s funeral at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday. Fox News Melania Trump delivers the eulogy at her mother’s funeral at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday. Fox News

  Melania’s eulogy honored her mother’s “nurturing spirit” and “unparalleled affection.” Fox News Melania’s eulogy honored her mother’s “nurturing spirit” and “unparalleled affection.” Fox News

  Donald Trump joined his wife at her mother’s funeral Thursday. Fox News Donald Trump joined his wife at her mother’s funeral Thursday. Fox News

  Donald Trump and Melania Trump depart Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church in Palm Beach, Fla., after Amalija Knavs’ funeral. MEGA for NY Post Donald Trump and Melania Trump depart Bethesda-by-the-Sea Church in Palm Beach, Fla., after Amalija Knavs’ funeral. MEGA for NY Post

She embraced her father, Viktor Knavs, before sitting back down in a pew next to her son, 17-year-old Barron Trump.

Shortly before the service began, Melania looked stoic in a black suit and dark sunglasses as pallbearers brought her mother’s coffin, draped in white flowers, into the picturesque church.

She stood between her father and Barron, while Donald Trump stood on his youngest son’s other side.

The 77-year-old former president and current GOP presidential front-runner appeared solemn in a navy suit and black tie.


  Former President Donald Trump (center right) stands with his wife Melania (second from left), their son, Barron (center left), and father-in-law, Viktor Knavs. AP Former President Donald Trump (center right) stands with his wife Melania (second from left), their son, Barron (center left), and father-in-law, Viktor Knavs. AP

  Donald Trump arrives at the funeral with his son Barron. MEGA for NY Post Donald Trump arrives at the funeral with his son Barron. MEGA for NY Post

  The service was set to take place at 10 a.m. MEGA for NY Post The service was set to take place at 10 a.m. MEGA for NY Post

  Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump arrive for the funeral. MEGA for NY Post Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump arrive for the funeral. MEGA for NY Post

  Melania married her husband at the same church in 2005. MEGA for NY Post Melania married her husband at the same church in 2005. MEGA for NY Post

The extended Trump family — including Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, Tiffany Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle, fiancée of Donald Trump Jr. — were also seen arriving at the church before the service began.

The former president and current GOP presidential front-runner notably missed a day of his New York City defamation trial with writer E. Jean Carroll to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral — after fuming at the judge’s refusal to delay the proceedings for the event.

“I thought it was terrible. I thought it was terrible,” Trump said at a press conference in New York Wednesday of Judge Lewis Kaplan’s decision. 

The real estate mogul slammed Kaplan as a “nasty man” and a “Trump-hating guy.”


  Tiffany Trump smiles as she enters the church. MEGA for NY Post Tiffany Trump smiles as she enters the church. MEGA for NY Post

  Melania Trump mourned her late mother at a private funeral in Florida Thursday morning at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea. MEGA for NY Post Melania Trump mourned her late mother at a private funeral in Florida Thursday morning at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea. MEGA for NY Post

  Former President Donald Trump (center right) with his wife Melania (left) and their son, Barron (center left). AP Former President Donald Trump (center right) with his wife Melania (left) and their son, Barron (center left). AP

  In-laws of Knavs, including Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, Tiffany Trump and Kim Guilfoyle, fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., were seen arriving at the church before the memorial service began. MEGA for NY Post In-laws of Knavs, including Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, Tiffany Trump and Kim Guilfoyle, fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., were seen arriving at the church before the memorial service began. MEGA for NY Post

Ahead of the funeral, the town of Palm Beach issued traffic warnings alerting locals to congestion near the church, which was also the site of Trump and Melania’s star-studded 2005 nuptials, the Palm Beach Daily News reported.

Trump praised his late mother-in-law in his victory speech after winning the Iowa caucuses on Monday night.

“I want to thank her incredible, beautiful mother who passed away a few days ago,” Trump said. “And she’s up there, way up there. She’s looking down and she’s so proud of us,” he told the crowd.


  Former first lady Melania Trump’s mother, Amalija Knavs, died on Jan. 9 at the age of 78. AP Former first lady Melania Trump’s mother, Amalija Knavs, died on Jan. 9 at the age of 78. AP

  The service is not far from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. MEGA for NY Post The service is not far from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. MEGA for NY Post

“And I just want to say to Amalija, you are special, one of the most special people I’ve ever known,” he added of the Slovenian American.

At a campaign rally, the former president also credited Knavs’ cooking as the reason why he and Melania’s son, Barron Trump, is 6 feet 7 inches tall, the Daily News noted.

In addition to her husband, daughter and grandson, Knavs is survived by her older daughter, Ines.


  Trump praised his late mother-in-law (right) in his victory speech after winning the Iowa caucuses on Monday night. AP Trump praised his late mother-in-law (right) in his victory speech after winning the Iowa caucuses on Monday night. AP

The Knavses raised their two girls in Sevnica, a rural industrial town in what was then part of Communist-ruled Yugoslavia.

Knavs and her husband remained relatively private during their daughter’s high-profile marriage to Trump — though they occasionally appeared at the White House during their son-in-law’s presidency.

In 2018, Knavs appeared at her daughter’s launch of the “Be Best” campaign.


  In addition to Trump, Melania and Barron, Knvas is survived by her husband, Viktor Knavs, and older daughter, Ines. Getty Images In addition to Trump, Melania and Barron, Knvas is survived by her husband, Viktor Knavs, and older daughter, Ines. Getty Images

  Knavs is survived by her husband, Viktor Knavs, and her older daughter, Ines. AP Knavs is survived by her husband, Viktor Knavs, and her older daughter, Ines. AP

That same year, Knavs and her husband became naturalized US citizens through the process that allows adult citizens to help their relatives get green cards and permanent resident status, the New York Times reported.

Melania — who changed her surname from Knavs to Knauss during her modeling career — had been her parents’ sponsor, the outlet explained.

In recent years, the Knavses lived with the Trump family at Mar-a-Lago.

Melania announced her mother’s passing on X last week.

“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija,” the former first lady wrote.

“Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity. 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.”

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