Former President Donald Trump confirmed Melania's mother, Amalija Knavs, is 'very ill.' Melania was absent from family Christmas and New Year's festivities at Mar-a-Lago due to her mother's illness. Trump addressed an adoring crowd, informing them that Melania was at a nearby Miami hospital with her mother. The situation has been tough for their family. Melania's absence from the former first family's Christmas images raised questions, but sources close to her stated that she spent Christmas with her ailing mother.