Obama Family’s Sad Announcement 💔
A Quiet Life of Dedication
Though she largely kept a low profile, Robinson was a constant presence in the White House.
She accompanied the family to concerts in the East Room, attended holiday gatherings, and occasionally traveled abroad—but her priority was always her granddaughters.
Known for her warmth and humor, Robinson often sided with the girls in their playful debates about bedtime, TV, and candy, while still enforcing the household rules set by Michelle and Barack Obama.
Former President Barack Obama described her as “the least pretentious person I know”, praising her for keeping the girls grounded amid the whirlwind of public life.
Michelle Obama honored her mother’s influence, saying, “Without my mother, I just wouldn’t be who I am today.”
Family and Public Tributes
In a heartfelt statement, the Robinson family said,
“She was necessary to us. She was needed by the girls. And she proved to be our pillar of support during it all… The extraordinary gift of her life lifts us up in our sadness.”
The Obama family announced with heavy hearts that Marian Robinson, mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, has passed away at the age of 86.
A devoted grandmother, Robinson became a cherished figure in the White House, moving from her hometown of Chicago in 2009 to help care for her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha, during the Obama administration.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also paid tribute:
“The entire Biden family sends its deepest love to Michelle, Craig, Barack, Kelly, and the six irrepressible grandchildren whom she helped to raise and so loved, and in whom her kind and gentle spirit lives on.”
A Life Remembered
Born in 1937 on Chicago’s South Side, Marian Robinson was a dedicated mother to Michelle and Craig Robinson and a beloved grandmother whose love shaped the lives of the Obama children.
She preferred quiet moments in her White House quarters, enjoying the simple pleasures of reading, watching the view of the Washington Monument, and even doing her own laundry, over public attention or social events.
Her influence extended far beyond the family, teaching values of independence, confidence, and love that Michelle Obama has carried into her own public life.
Marian Robinson’s legacy lives on in the lives she touched, both privately and publicly, and in the museum exhibit named in her honor at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Bottom Line
Marian Robinson’s passing is a profound loss for the Obama family and everyone who admired her quiet strength, unwavering support, and loving presence.
Her life stands as a testament to the enduring power of family, guidance, and unconditional love.
