Former first lady Melania Trump denied that her father was a communist and says neighbors snitched on their family in a detailed account of a childhood behind the Iron Curtain in her new memoir.
In Melania, which was released Tuesday, she portrayed her upbringing in the small village of Sevnica in Slovenia as a happy one where she started modelling at age six and took trips across Europe with her prosperous family.
Her mother Amalija, a seamstress raised on an onion farm, and her car salesman father Viktor would take her and sister Ines to Elton John and Tina Turner concerts make her feel more connected to neighboring countries Italy and Austria.
But there were was also a terrifying incident where the secret police raided her home over her fathers suspicious lifestyle.
The 54-year-old reminisced about one of her fondest memories when her dad brought home a stunning French Citroen Maserati when she was seven, and called it the most beautiful car I had ever seen.
She attacked descriptions of her father as a communist saying it was not reflective of his political beliefs and party membership was mandatory.
His Communist Party affiliation was a mandatory induction, as the party had implemented an automatic monthly disbursement of a portion of his salary, she claimed.
Melania Trump (circled, center right) started modeling at age 6. She is photographed at a fashion review for Jutranjka, the textile company where her mother used to work. She writes about having a happy childhood behind the Iron Curtain in Slovenia
Previously a source told DailyMail.com that Knavs party membership helped his family get special treatment in the town, like earning higher positions or receiving first access to essentials at a time that many goods were rationed.
During Melanias childhood, only five percent of Slovenians were Communist Party members and although her father did not advertise his political affiliation, it was obvious to neighbors and relatives, one person who lived in the village previously told DailyMail.com.
And it no doubt helped both Viktor and Melanias late mother Amalija hold down solid jobs.
Victor was in the Party which helped you to get government jobs or higher positions, the source said.
A document from the Slovenian State Archives shows that Viktor (seen in 1965) was a listed member of the League of Communists
It was not clear whether Viktor was a true believer, the source acknowledged, adding, Maybe he was just being pragmatic. Being in the Party made things a bit easier and meant he could help his family.
In her book, Melania writes that while her parents lived through significant political events they were not particularly politically active themselves.
In recent years, her father has attended political events for former President Donald Trump.
Growing up, I felt more connected to our neighbors in Italy or Austria than to other communist countries in Eastern Europe, she went on.
The book suggests the family lived well.
My family, like many others, prospered due to my parents ambition, determination, and strong work ethic, she wrote.
Melania Trump (center) is seen at Barron Trumps high school graduation with her father, Viktor Knavs (left) and former President Donald Trump (right). In her new book she pushes that her father wasnt really a Communist besides having party membership
Melania Trump (right) poses with her husband former President Donald Trump (left) at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in mid-July. Her memoir was released Tuesday, just weeks before the 2024 presidential election
A newspaper clipping shows a young Melania Trump (right) during a childrens fashion show while she was growing up in Slovenia
A young Melania Trump is photographed with her nanny. In her memoir, Melania, she describes her family having a fleet of cars and being able to afford vacations despite living under communist rule
An early modeling photo of Melania Trump. As a teen she moved to Slovenias capital Ljubljana to study industrial design, but ended up launching a modeling career
In more recent years, Melanias father Victor Knavs (left) has supported former President Donald Trump at political events. Hes photographed alongside (from left) Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle, Tiffany Trump and Michael Boulos after the ex-president was arraigned in April 2023
She recalled going to an Elton John concert at age 14 and later on, one with Tina Turner. She attended Formula 1 races with her father.
With her older sister Ines, she traveled to Venice.
She skiied the Alps and took summer trips to the Dalmatian coast of Croatia.
Despite living in a region that was often seen as separate from the rest of the world, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to travel and explore different cultures, she said.
The family was able to afford a private nanny, who Melania recalled crafted beautiful birthday cakes for me and my family that were not only visually stunning - adorned with handmade sugar flowers - but also very flavorful.
He father - now an American citizen - was a chauffeur who became an auto salesmen and so the familys collection of cars included Ford Mustangs, German BMWs, and a Ford Cougar XR-7, alongside a collection of prestigious Mercedes Benzes.
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 rush of excitement, sitting behind my father, soaking in every moment, my heart racing, as he unleashed its 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 up when she spoke of an incident in 1978 when agents searched the house looking for evidence of criminal activity after a neighbor reported that there was something suspicious about my fathers lifestyle.
A neighbor, perhaps, or a colleague or even a supposed friend had flagged to the authorities her fathers fleet of cars.
My father was never found guilty of a crime and was never imprisoned, she wrote.
Melania wrote of her Eastern European upbringing that she never felt isolated or limited in my experiences.
Countless stories about my childhood have been published, yet they often miss the mark, painting a bleak and inaccurate picture of my upbringing, she wrote. In truth, my childhood was filled with happiness, beauty and positivity, far from the typical narrative of a girl raised in a communist society.