Marian Robinson, the mother of former US First Lady Michelle Obama, has died at the age of 86.
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In a statement, her family announced that Robinson passed away “peacefully” on the morning of Friday, May 31, 2024.
Robinson was a familiar presence at the White House during Barack Obama’s presidency from 2009 to 2017, spending much of her time caring for her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha.
Michelle Obama shared her grief on social media, calling Robinson her “rock, always there for whatever I needed.” She added, “She was the same steady backstop for our entire family, and we are heartbroken to share she passed away today.”
Barack Obama also expressed his sorrow, stating, “There was and will be only one Marian Robinson. In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life. And we will spend the rest of ours trying to live up to her example.”
No further details were provided about the cause of her death.
Early Life and Legacy
Born in 1937, Marian Robinson was one of seven children in Chicago. She studied to become a teacher and worked as a secretary. Together with her husband Frasier Robinson, she raised Michelle and her brother Craig on Chicago’s South Side.
Robinson moved to Washington, DC, after Barack Obama’s electoral victory, following a “healthy nudge” from the Obamas, who needed her support. Despite the transition, she remained grounded, insisting on doing her own laundry at the White House.
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In a CBS interview, Robinson explained her move, saying she felt compelled to help her daughter and son-in-law navigate their challenging new roles. “I was worried about their safety,” she said. “I was worried about my grandkids. That’s what got me to move to DC.”
Life at the White House
Robinson preferred to stay out of the spotlight, opting for quiet moments over public engagements. Her presence provided a sense of normalcy for the Obama family. She often slipped out of the White House to visit friends, maintaining her privacy.
David Axelrod, a senior Obama advisor, remarked on CNN that “she really wasn’t looking for attention.”
Honoring Marian Robinson
Just weeks before her death, Michelle Obama announced that an exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago would be named in honor of her mother.
“In so many ways, she fostered in me a deep sense of confidence in who I was and who I could be, by teaching me to think for myself,” Michelle Obama said in a video announcement. “I simply wouldn’t be who I am today without my mom.”
Marian Robinson’s legacy lives on through her family and the countless lives she touched with her quiet strength and unwavering support.
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