Marian Robinson, the mother of former US First Lady Michelle Obama, passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on Friday morning. Her presence was a comforting and steadfast support to her family during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2017, especially taking care of her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha.
In a heartfelt statement on social media, Michelle Obama described her mother as her “rock,” always providing the stability and support needed. Former President Barack Obama echoed these sentiments, expressing profound sadness but also gratitude for her life, emphasizing that there was and will be only one Marian Robinson.
Marian Robinson was born in 1937 and was one of seven children. She grew up in Chicago, where she spent the majority of her life. She pursued a career in education before working as a secretary. Together with her husband, Frasier Robinson, she raised Michelle and her brother Craig on Chicago’s South Side.
Robinson’s role in the Obama family became more public when she moved to the White House after Barack Obama’s historic election in 2008. Despite the grandeur of her new home, she maintained her unpretentious nature, often choosing to spend time with her family rather than engage in social events. Her dedication to her family was evident when she spoke about moving to Washington, driven by her concerns for her daughter’s and granddaughters’ safety and well-being.
An iconic moment of her White House years was captured on Election Night 2008, showing her holding Barack Obama’s hand as the election results were announced. Despite living in such a high-profile setting, she preferred the simple joys of life, such as spending time with her granddaughters and watching television.
Marian Robinson’s privacy allowed her to live a life of relative normalcy compared to the rest of the Obama family. She even managed to occasionally slip out of the White House to visit friends. Her humility and focus on family were constants in her life, culminating in a Mother’s Day announcement by Michelle Obama that an exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center Museum would be named in her honor.
