Marian Robinson, the mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, passed away peacefully on Friday morning at the age of 86, according to a family statement.
A beloved presence at the White House during Barack Obama’s presidency (2009-2017), Robinson played a crucial role in caring for her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha.
Michelle Obama paid tribute to her mother on X, formerly Twitter, calling her “my rock, always there for whatever I needed.” Obama added, “There was and will be only one Marian Robinson… We will spend the rest of our lives trying to live up to her example.”
Robinson, born in 1937 in Chicago, was one of seven children. She worked as a secretary and raised her children, Michelle and Craig, with her husband, Frasier Robinson, on Chicago’s South Side.
Robinson moved to the White House after Barack Obama’s historic 2008 election, supporting her family through the transition. Despite her new surroundings, she insisted on doing her laundry and maintained a low profile.
She made her first international flight aboard Air Force One in 2009, joining the Obamas on a trip to France. Preferring privacy over attention, Robinson often slipped out of the White House to visit friends.
Just weeks before her passing, an exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago was named in her honour. Michelle Obama credited her mother with fostering her confidence and independence.
Marian Robinson’s legacy lives on through her family, who continue to honour her memory and example.
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