Michelle Obama's Message on Her Mother's Death

Marian Robinson, the mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, passed away at the page of 86 on Friday.

Both Michelle and her husband, former President Barack Obama, issued statements online in honor of Robinson's passing. The former first lady wrote in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter, that her mother "was my rock, always there for whatever I needed."

"She was the same steady backstop for our entire family, and we are heartbroken to share she passed away today," Michelle said.

The family said in a shared statement that Robinson "passed peacefully this morning, and right now, none of us are quite sure how exactly we'll move on without her."

The Context

Robinson, a Chicago native, moved to Washington, D.C., after Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election. During her son-in-law's eight years in office, she became a well-known figure in the White House and made occasional appearances at holiday celebrations and other events. Her priority, however, was taking care of her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha, who were 10 and 7 years old when their father became president.

During a 2018 interview with CBS News, Robinson said that after Barack Obama was elected, she "felt like this was going to be a very hard life for both" him and her daughter.

"And I was worried about their safety. And I was worried about my grandkids. I mean, that's what got me to move to DC," Robinson said.

What We Know

The joint statement regarding Robinson's death was signed by the former president and former first lady as well as Michelle's older brother, Craig Robinson, and his wife Kelly. Marian Robinson's six grandchildren—Avery, Leslie, Malia, Sasha, Austin and Aaron—were also signed on the statement.

Family members described Robinson as having a "wisdom" that "came off as almost innate," and said that she was nothing but "encouraging" to her children as they forged their own career paths.

"At every step, as our families went down paths none of us could have predicted, she remained our refuge from the storm, keeping our feet on solid ground," the statement read. "On Election Night in 2008, when the news broke that Barack would soon shoulder the weight of the world, she was there, holding his hand."

Barack Obama said in his own statement regarding his mother-in-law's passing, "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."

Views

Tributes poured out on social media following the news of Robinson's passing. Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey wrote in response to the former first lady's post to X that his "thoughts are with the Obama and Robinson families as they grieve this great loss and remember her remarkable life."

Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly wrote that, "Marian Robinson was a true Chicagoan who instilled our values of family and community to her children and grandchildren. My heart is with the Obama and Robinson families as they grieve and remember her extraordinary life."

"RIP Mrs. Marian Robinson, who has passed away at the age of 86. Mrs. Robinson was the beloved mother of former First Lady, Mrs. @MichelleObama," posted Shermichael Singleton, a political commentator and Republican strategist. "You and your late husband, Mr. Fraser Robinson III, did an outstanding job raising Mrs. Obama and Craig Robinson."

Niall Stanage, a White House columnist for The Hill, shared an image taken in 2008 of Robinson on the night that her son-in-law won the presidential election. The image features Barack Obama holding Robinson's hand while sitting on a couch.

"One of the simplest yet most moving news photos I've ever seen," Stanage wrote along with the post.

What's Next?

Funeral proceedings have not been announced by the Obama and Robinson families at this time.

Update 05/31/24, 7:41 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and background.