Mother of former first lady Michelle Obama dies at 86

The cause of her death was not immediately clear, but she was praised by her family as a wise woman and a hard-worker who had a loving relationship with her family, including the grandchildren. She is survived by her two children and their spouses, and six grandchildren.

By Misty Severi

Published: May 31, 2024 7:47pm

The 86-year-old mother of former first lady Michelle Obama, Marian Robinson, died on Friday, according to a statement from the Obama family.

The cause of her death was not immediately clear, but she was praised by her family as a wise woman and a hard-worker who had a loving relationship with her family, including the grandchildren. Robinson even moved into the White House in 2009, when former President Barack Obama was elected.

"There was and will be only one Marian Robinson," Barack Obama wrote in an X post Friday evening. "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."

Following her time in the White House, Robinson moved back to Chicago, where she had raised Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson. She is survived by her two children and their spouses, and six grandchildren.