Melania Trump’s mother, Amalija Knavs, died at the age of 78 on Tuesday.

The former first lady announced the news on social media.

“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija,” Trump posted on “X,” the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. ”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.”

Knavs, from Slovenia, and was a textile worker. She and her husband, Viktor, had resided in the United States and were frequently spotted in Washington after their son-in-law became president in 2017.

PEOPLE reports, per sources, that Donald Trump pointed to Amalija Knavs’ illness at his New Year’s Eve celebration.

“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.

“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.”

The Knavses had both been living at Mar-a-Lago in recent years, where the former first lady and the former president also reside.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.