Amalija Knavs, a Longtime Patternmaker, ‘Introduced’ Daughter Melania Trump to Fashion in Small-Town Slovenia

Melania Trump's love for fashion — and her modeling career — stemmed in part from her mother, Amalija Knavs, who died at the age of 78 this week.

In a speech delivered in 2016 at the Republican National Convention, Melania noted that her childhood in present-day Slovenia influenced her later career in the fashion industry.

"I was born in Slovenia, a small, beautiful and then-Communist country in Central Europe. My sister Ines, who is an incredible woman and a friend, and I were raised by my wonderful parents. My elegant and hard-working mother Amalija introduced me to fashion and beauty."

Amalija was a longtime patternmaker at a children's clothing factory in Melania's hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, who also sewed her daughters' clothes when they were younger, according to The New York Times.

A 2019 book by Betty Boyd Caroli claims that Amalija is the one who "laid the foundation" for Melania's interest in personal beauty — and signed Melania up for her first fashion show.

"[Amalija's] neighbors observed that she paid considerable attention to her own appearance, chose her outfits carefully, and wore high heels when others sought the comfort of flats," Caroli wrote in First Ladies. "When [her textile company] enlisted young girls as informal models for their latest children's fashions, Amalija arranged for Melanija to walk the runway."

A photo taken in 1977 shows Melania around 7 years old participating in one of those fashion shows. Less than a decade later, at 16, Melania had more properly begun her modeling career, which landed her in New York City by the mid-'90s.

A source close to the Trump family previously told PEOPLE that Amalija — who became a U.S. citizen alongside her husband, Viktor, in 2018 — was heavily involved in both her daughter and her grandson Barron's lives.

"[Amalija] has an excellent relationship with Melania and with Barron," the source told PEOPLE. "They love her. She is unselfish and takes care of the family. Melania has always been super good with her mom as well as Barron."

The source added that Barron, in particular, had grown close to Amalija — particularly as she and Viktor, 79, had been living at Mar-a-Lago in recent years, where the Trumps also reside.

"There have been times when Barron has been with his grandparents more than with Melania, and a lot more than with Donald," the source said.

Melania announced her mother's death on social media Tuesday evening. "It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija," the former first lady wrote in a statement on X, 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," the statement continued.