Barack Obama got ‘teary-eyed’: Meet Marian Robinson, Michelle Obama's mother

Barack Obama got a little teary-eyed as he spoke about his mother-in-law, the late Marian Robinson, ahead of this week's opening of the Obama Presidential Center. The former US President spoke about Robinson’s quiet strength, resilience, and care.“I got a little teary-eyed tonight thinking about my mother-in-law, Marian Robinson. She made a home for Michelle and Craig here on the South Side of Chicago, not with a lot, but with a lot of love and hope and perspective and wisdom, and her husband, Fraser Robinson, who got up every day and went down right next to Navy Pier, working in the water reclamation district. He showed what it means to work hard and to put family first,” Obama said in a deeply moving speech, which was later posted on social media.He added, “They represent to me what’s best about this country and what’s best about our values, and people who aren’t trying to get every last nickel, and aren’t cutting corners when it comes to values, and treat people high and low with respect and kindness, and handle their business, just salt-of-the-earth, bedrock people. There are people like that all across the South Side of Chicago, and there are people like that all across this great country of ours.

”Former First Lady Michelle Obama paid homage to her mother, wearing a custom-made pencil skirt featuring her mum’s picture.Marian Robinson is perhaps not a household name like her daughter, Michelle Obama; however, she was the heart and soul of the Obama family. She passed away in 2024 at the age of 86.

Who was Marian Robinson?

Born as Marian Lois Shields in 1937 to Purnell Shields and Rebecca Jumper, she was raised on the South Side of Chicago. Marian Robinson, in her daughter’s words, was a “sweet, witty companion who doesn't need the limelight”.

She grew up in a small house with her seven siblings. Her parents separated when she was a teenager. Her mother worked as a nursing aide to support the family. Her father wasn't allowed to join a union or work for larger construction firms because of the colour of his skin.

He grew up mistrustful of the society that gave him little place. Despite these hardships, he brought joy to his children, waking them up with blasting jazz records.At a very young age, she faced hardships. She studied to become a teacher before working as a secretary. She fell in love with Fraser Robinson III, a pump operator for Chicago's water department. They said their wedding vows in 1960 and had two children – Craig in 1962 and Michelle two years later. She worked as a secretary and for a bank before becoming a stay-at-home mother. Together, they raised two children in their tiny upstairs apartment on Euclid Avenue in South Shore.Robinson always taught her children to believe in their dreams and stand up for them. “When Craig decided to leave a lucrative finance job to pursue his dream of coaching basketball, she was there with her wholehearted support. When Michelle married a guy crazy enough to go into politics, she was just as encouraging,” Barack Obama said during her demise in 2024.“My mum Marian Robinson was my rock, always there for whatever I needed.

She was the same steady backstop for our entire family,” the former first lady said while announcing the death on 1 June 2024.

After Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election, Robinson became known to Americans as the country's first grandmother. Though initially hesitant to move into the White House, she eventually agreed at her family’s insistence. She spent her time caring for her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha.

During his eight years in office, she was a quiet but constant presence in the White House. She preferred to stay away from the spotlight and stuck to a simple routine rather than the glamour of the new place.

“Just show me how to work the washing machine and I’m good,” she would say. Instead of trying to meet Oscar winners or Nobel laureates, she preferred to make friends with the ushers and butlers, the ones who really made the White House a home. The only guest she requested to meet was the Pope. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, mother-in-law, and, most importantly, an incredible human being who believed in hard work, integrity, and keeping the family close.