Former first lady Melania Trump denied her father was a communist and says neighbors snitched on her family in a detailed account of a childhood behind the Iron Curtain in her new memoir.
In Melaniawhich was published on Tuesday, described her childhood in the small town of Sevnica in Slovenia as happy, where she began modeling at age six and traveled around Europe with her “prosperous” family.
Her mother Amalija, a seamstress raised on an onion farm, and her car salesman father Viktor took her and her sister Inés to Elton John and Tina Turner concerts, which made her feel “more connected” with the neighboring countries, Italy and Austria.
But there was also a terrifying incident where the secret police raided her house because of her father’s “suspicious lifestyle.”
The 54-year-old recalled “one of her best memories” when her father brought home a “stunning French Citroën Maserati” when she was seven, calling it “the most beautiful car she had ever seen.”
He attacked descriptions of his father as a communist, saying they “did not reflect his political beliefs” and that party membership was “mandatory.”
“His membership in the Communist Party was a mandatory induction, since the party had implemented an automatic monthly disbursement of a part of his salary,” he said.
Melania Trump (circled, center right) started modeling at age 6. She appears photographed in a fashion magazine for Jutranjka, the textile company where her mother used to work. He writes about his happy childhood behind the Iron Curtain in Slovenia.
Previously, a source told DailyMail.com that Knavs’ party membership helped his family receive special treatment in the city, such as gaining “higher positions” or receiving first access to “the essentials” at one point. in which many products were rationed.
During Melania’s childhood, only five percent of Slovenians were members of the Communist Party and although her father did not announce his political affiliation, it was obvious to neighbors and relatives, a person who lived in the village previously told DailyMail.com. .
And it certainly helped both Viktor and Amalija, Melania’s late mother, hold down solid jobs.
“Victor was in the Party that helped him get government positions or higher positions,” the source said.
A document from the Slovenian State Archives shows that Viktor (seen in 1965) was a member of the League of Communists.
It was unclear whether Viktor was “a true believer,” the source acknowledged, adding: “Maybe he was just being pragmatic.” Being in the Party made things a little easier and allowed him to help his family.
In her book, Melania writes that while her parents experienced “important political events,” they themselves “were not particularly politically active.”
In recent years, his father has attended political events for former President Donald Trump.
“As a child, I felt more connected to our neighbors in Italy or Austria than to other communist countries in Eastern Europe,” she continued.
The book suggests that the family lived well.
“My family, like many others, prospered thanks to my parents’ ambition, determination and strong work ethic,” he wrote.
Melania Trump (center) is seen at Barron Trump’s high school graduation with her father, Viktor Knavs (left) and former President Donald Trump (right). In his new book, he insists that his father was not really a communist, other than being a member of the party.
Melania Trump (right) poses with her husband, former President Donald Trump (left) at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in mid-July. His memoirs were published Tuesday, just weeks before the 2024 presidential election.
A newspaper clipping shows a young Melania Trump (right) during a children’s fashion show while growing up in Slovenia.
A young Melania Trump is photographed with her babysitter. In her memoirs, Melania describes how her family had a fleet of cars and could afford vacations despite living under the communist regime.
One of the first photographs of Melania Trump as a model. As a teenager she moved to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, to study industrial design, but ended up starting a career as a model.
In more recent years, Melania’s father, Victor Knavs (left), has supported former President Donald Trump at political events. He was photographed alongside (from left) Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, Tiffany Trump and Michael Boulos after the former president was impeached in April 2023.
He recalled going to an Elton John concert at age 14 and, later, one with Tina Turner. He attended Formula 1 races with his father.
With her older sister Inés she traveled to Venice.
He skied in the Alps and took summer trips to Croatia’s Dalmatian coast.
“Despite living in a region that was often considered separate from the rest of the world, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to travel and explore different cultures,” he said.
The family was able to hire a private nanny, who Melania remembers “made beautiful birthday cakes for me and my family that were not only visually stunning, adorned with handmade sugar flowers, but also very tasty.”
His father, now an American citizen, was a chauffeur turned car salesman, so the family’s car collection included “Ford Mustangs, German BMWs, and a Ford Cougar XR-7, along with a collection of prestigious Mercedes.” Benz.”
But her favorite, she recalled, was a “stunning” Citroën Maserati SM that her father brought home when she was seven.
“I can still feel the excitement, sitting behind my father, soaking up every moment, my heart racing, as he unleashed his power,” she wrote. “It was pure adventure, a connection forged on the open road, a taste of freedom.”
The terrifying reality of communism only came to light when he spoke of an incident in 1978 when “agents” searched the house for “evidence of criminal activity” after a neighbor reported that “there was something suspicious about the lifestyle of my father.”
A “neighbor, perhaps, a colleague or even a supposed friend” had tipped off authorities about his father’s fleet of cars.
“My father was never convicted of any crime and was never imprisoned,” he wrote.
Melania wrote of her upbringing in Eastern Europe that she “never felt isolated or limited in my experiences.”
“Countless stories have been published about my childhood, but they often miss the mark, painting a bleak and inaccurate picture of my upbringing,” he wrote. “In truth, my childhood was full of happiness, beauty and positivity, far from the typical narrative of a girl raised in a communist society.”