Melania Trump’s mother‚ Amalija Knavs‚ has passed away. She was 78. “It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother‚ Amalija‚” Melania Trump said Tuesday. “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‚” she added. It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother‚ Amalija. 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… — MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) January 10‚ 2024 The Hill reports: The former first lady hails from Slovenia. She is the second first lady to be born outside the U.S. Trump gave remarks at a National Archives Naturalization Ceremony last month‚ during which she called the pathway to citizenship in the U.S. “arduous.” She also remarked that after taking the United States oath of allegiance‚ she felt “a tremendous sense of belonging.” “For me‚ reaching the milestone of American citizenship marked the sunrise of certainty‚” she said. “At that exact moment‚ I forever discarded the layer of burden connected with whether I would be able to live in the United States. I hope you’re blanketed with similar feelings of comfort right now.” Trump said when she arrived in the country‚ she knew she wanted to call it her permanent home. She became a naturalized citizen in 2006‚ and her parents became naturalized citizens in 2018. X users expressed their condolences: Deep prayers for you and your entire family. pic.twitter.com/Y06KQOJeyC — Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) January 10‚ 2024 RIP Amalija. She was a great woman and will always be remembered. We are with you and praying for you Melania! — The Trump Train (@The_Trump_Train) January 10‚ 2024 Your mother raised an amazing daughter Melania. I’m sure she’s immensely proud of you and will always be watching over you and your family with love. RIP Amalija pic.twitter.com/G2j1sZMeDV — Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) January 10‚ 2024 Jeff and I and the entire family send our condolences to you as you mourn the devastating loss of your mother. It was such a pleasure to meet her and see in her eyes how much she loved and adored you. And what an incredible daughter you have been. We know she is in Heaven… — Kari Lake (@KariLake) January 10‚ 2024 My deepest sympathies to you and your family. You are her greatest legacy. You're all in my thoughts and prayers — Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) January 10‚ 2024 My deepest condolences to you and the entire family — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 10‚ 2024 PEOPLE added: The news comes after Donald Trump used his New Year’s Eve event at Mar-a-Lago to acknowledge his wife’s absence from family gatherings during the holiday season‚ telling the crowd she was attending to her mother. Sources tell PEOPLE that the former first lady was not at the Trumps’ New Year’s Eve celebration‚ with video footage showing that‚ when the former president spoke to attendees‚ he announced: “Melania — great first lady‚ so popular‚ the people love her — she’s now in a hospital with her mother. Her mother‚ Amalija‚ is very ill‚ but hopefully she’ll be recovering.” Trump‚ 77‚ continued: “But she’s been very ill‚ so I just want to say ‘hello’ to the first lady — we just spoke‚ down in Miami‚ great hospital — and hopefully they’ll be ok. But it’s a tough one‚ it’s a very tough one. She knows probably about 95% of the people in this room. We just want to wish Amalija that she gets better as quickly as possible.”