Viktor Knavs: 7 Shocking Facts About Melania Trump's Father, From Communist Chauffeur To US Citizen
The life of Viktor Knavs, father of former First Lady Melania Trump, is a fascinating and complex narrative that spans two continents and two vastly different political systems. Born in communist-era Yugoslavia, his journey from a traveling car salesman to an American citizen living near Mar-a-Lago is a testament to the dramatic arc of his family's story. With the recent, deeply personal loss of his wife and Melania's mother, Amalija Knavs, in January 2024, the public's attention on the patriarch of the Knavs family has intensified, revealing new details about his past and present life.
As of late 2025, Viktor Knavs remains a prominent, yet private, figure within the Trump family's inner circle, having played a key role in raising his grandson, Barron Trump. His life story is a rich tapestry of Eastern European history, family loyalty, and the ultimate realization of the American Dream—achieved under the controversial "chain migration" policy that his son-in-law, Donald Trump, has often criticized.
The Complete Biography of Viktor Knavs
Viktor Knavs's life is defined by his humble beginnings in Slovenia, his ambition within a communist state, and his eventual migration to the United States. His background offers a unique contrast to the billionaire world his daughter married into.
- Full Name: Viktor Knavs
- Date of Birth: March 24, 1944
- Place of Birth: Radeče, Slovenia (then part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
- Age (as of late 2025): 81 years old
- Wife: Amalija Knavs (m. 1966; d. January 9, 2024)
- Children:
- Ines Knavs (Daughter, born 1968)
- Melanija Knavs (Daughter, later Melania Trump, born 1970)
- Denis Cigelnjak (Unacknowledged Son from a previous relationship)
- Grandchild: Barron Trump
- Career in Slovenia: Chauffeur for the Communist Party, Traveling Car Salesman for a state-owned company, and owner of a bicycle and car parts shop.
- Political Affiliation in Yugoslavia: Member of the Sevnica Communist Party.
- US Citizenship: Obtained in August 2018 via naturalization (using the family-based immigration policy).
- Current Residency: Believed to reside primarily in Florida, near the Trump family.
The Communist-Era Career That Built Melania’s Childhood
Viktor Knavs’s professional life in Slovenia, particularly in the small town of Sevnica, was far from the world of international luxury his daughter would later inhabit. His career path, however, provided a comfortable and stable life for his family within the Yugoslavian system, a life that Melania has often described as middle-class.
A Member of the Sevnica Communist Party
A key detail in Viktor Knavs’s past is his membership in the local Sevnica Communist Party. In the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, party membership was crucial for career advancement and social standing. This position afforded the Knavs family significant social and economic benefits, allowing them to live well in a nice apartment block in Sevnica.
- Early Role: Knavs began his working life as a chauffeur, a role that likely connected him to the local political elite.
- Car Salesman: He later became a traveling car salesman for a state-owned automotive company. This was considered a prestigious and well-paid job at the time.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit: Demonstrating an entrepreneurial drive, he also opened a private bicycle and car parts shop, further solidifying his family’s financial stability.
His professional success meant that Melania and her older sister, Ines Knavs, grew up in a relatively privileged environment compared to many of their peers. Melania herself has often cited her father as a strong, disciplined role model, drawing parallels between his drive and that of her husband, Donald Trump.
The Controversial Journey to US Citizenship via 'Chain Migration'
One of the most talked-about aspects of Viktor Knavs’s life in the United States is the manner in which he and his wife, Amalija Knavs, obtained their citizenship. The couple's naturalization in 2018 put a spotlight on the "chain migration" policy, which became a flashpoint in US immigration debates.
Naturalization in New York City
In August 2018, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, both in their 70s, were sworn in as US citizens at a private ceremony in New York City. Their lawyer confirmed that they were able to immigrate and obtain citizenship through the process of family-based sponsorship, where a citizen (in this case, Melania Trump) sponsors their close relatives (parents).
- The Policy Paradox: The family-based immigration process, often pejoratively called "chain migration" by critics, allows citizens to sponsor adult family members. This is the very policy that Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to end.
- A Quiet Life: Prior to obtaining citizenship, the Knavses had already been living in the US for several years, spending time in New York, Washington D.C., and Florida. They were known to be heavily involved in the life of their grandson, Barron Trump, providing a sense of stability and normalcy for him during the White House years.
The Knavs family’s use of the policy highlighted the complex reality of US immigration, demonstrating that even the First Family benefited from the system their son-in-law sought to dismantle.
The Unacknowledged Son and Family Secrets
Despite the public scrutiny that comes with being the father of a First Lady, Viktor Knavs has managed to keep a significant part of his personal life private. One of the most intriguing and lesser-known facts is the existence of an unacknowledged son from a previous relationship.
Denis Cigelnjak: The Hidden Entity
Before his marriage to Amalija, Viktor Knavs had a relationship that resulted in the birth of a son, Denis Cigelnjak. According to reports, while the child's paternity was legally established in Slovenia, Viktor Knavs has never publicly acknowledged him.
This detail adds a layer of complexity to the Knavs family narrative, suggesting a private history that contrasts with the seemingly pristine image Melania's parents projected. The existence of Denis Cigelnjak is a fact that has largely remained in the background, a testament to the family's desire for privacy despite their proximity to the political spotlight.
Viktor Knavs’s Life After the White House and the Loss of Amalija
Since the end of Donald Trump's presidency, Viktor Knavs and his family have largely retreated from the public eye, settling into a quieter life in Florida. However, 2024 brought a profound and public change with the passing of his wife.
Amalija Knavs’s Passing in 2024
The most recent and significant event in Viktor Knavs's life was the death of his beloved wife, Amalija Knavs, on January 9, 2024, at the age of 78, following an undisclosed illness. The loss was a deeply emotional moment for the entire family.
Viktor Knavs was present alongside his daughter, Melania, and son-in-law, Donald Trump, at the funeral service held in a Palm Beach church near the Mar-a-Lago estate. Melania delivered a heartfelt eulogy, describing her mother's "unbreakable bond" and "ray of light," a moment that saw the family united in grief. Viktor Knavs, who had been married to Amalija since 1966, now navigates life without his long-time partner, a major shift for the family patriarch.
The story of Viktor Knavs is a remarkable journey from the strictures of a communist state to the heart of American political power. His life, marked by discipline, ambition, and a fierce dedication to his family, continues to be a compelling, if often private, subplot in the ongoing narrative of the Trump family.
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