Melania Trump: This man claims to be her half-brother, what we know about Denis Cigelnjak

In the world of celebrities, much remains hidden. Many who are in the spotlight prefer to keep their personal affairs a secret—despite all the rumours and revelations that follow them. Everyone has their own reason to do so: a desire to protect their own lives, hide shameful secrets, or give their family privacy.

Here's one person in Melania Trump's family that has always remained in the shadows and is seldom talked about, even by the former and future First Lady. And it's not her little-known sister.

Melania Trump and her half-brother

The story of Melania Trump, who recently published her memoir, and her alleged half-brother Denis Cigelnjak is an impressive illustration of how complex and explosive dealing with family secrets can be. In April 2016, GQ reported on Denis Cigelnjak, who claims to be Melania Trump's half-brother.

According to Denis Cigelnjak, his mother had a brief relationship with Melania's father, Viktor Knavs. A blood test is said to have confirmed this, but Viktor Knavs never recognized Denis as his son. He later married and had two daughters, according to Nickiswift.com.

As the Daily Mail reports, Denis Cigelnjak is currently living in a simple flat in Hrastnik, Slovenia, with his partner Maja and their daughter Mimi. In an interview, he talks about how Viktor Knavs allegedly asked his mother for an abortion when she found out about the pregnancy, but she refused because she was disappointed about the end of their relationship.

The grandfather steps in when the father fails

Denis Cigelnjak's grandfather had supported him for eighteen years, while his father Viktor Knavs did not pay any type of child support. He therefore reportedly wondered how anyone could disown their own child. Despite this situation he claims not to hold a grudge against Knavs or his half-siblings and even expresses a desire to go out 'for a drink or a pizza' with Melania. He said, as quoted by Daily Mail:

However when the dust settles following the US presidential election I would like to go out with my father [Viktor Knavs], my two sisters [Melania Trump and Ines Knavs] for a drink or a pizza.

To date, this longing has not been fulfilled.

Unlike her half-brother, Melania Trump does not appear to be interested in contact with him - according to Bunte, she does not even know him. According to media reports, she initially denied having any knowledge of him at all when asked in an interview with GQ, but very quickly said:

I've known about this for years. My father is a private individual. Please respect his privacy.

This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag DE.

Read more:

Melania Trump's mysterious love life: What do we know about her dating history?

Melania Trump is reportedly very close to her older sister: Who is Ines Knauss?

Melania Trump and Barron talk about their life in the spotlight, source claims: 'She tries to normalize his life'

Sources used:

Bunte: Secret half-brother! She tried to hide him

Nickiswift.com: What Melania Trump's Supposed Half-Brother Said About Her Family

Frankfurter Rundschau: MelaniaTrump: From top model to two-time First Lady of the USA

Südwestpresse.de: Modeling career, family, age & co - a portrait of the former First Lady

Daily Mail: Meet Melania Trump's secret brother, who lives in rural Slovenia, has never met his sister or Donald and says 'I'd like to go out with them for a drink...or pizza’ after the presidential election