Marian Lois Shields Robinson, the mother of former first lady Michelle Obama, passed away on Thursday at the age of 86. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Former first lady Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, has died at 86. According to a family statement, Robinson passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 13, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones.
The statement, written by Michelle and Barack Obama, as well as Robinson's other children and grandchildren, praised her wisdom and her legacy of hard work.
"Marian Lois Shields Robinson — our mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother — had a way of summing up the truths about life in a word or two, maybe a quick phrase that made everyone around her stop and think," the family wrote. "Her wisdom came off as almost innate, as something she was born with, but in reality it was hard-earned, fashioned by her deep understanding that the world’s roughest edges could always be sanded down with a little grace."
Robinson was a regular fixture during Obama's presidency, moving in with the family after Obama's 2008 inauguration. She played a vital role in raising her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha, and was a constant source of support for Michelle and Barack.
"With a healthy nudge, she agreed to move to the White House with Michelle and Barack," the family wrote. "We needed her. The girls needed her. And she ended up being our rock through it all."
After her stint in Washington D.C., Robinson returned to her hometown in Chicago, Illinois, where she continued to live a full and active life. She was a beloved member of her community and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Marian Robinson was born in Chicago in 1937 and grew up on the city's South Side, where she raised her daughter and son, Craig. She was married to Fraser Robinson, who died in 1991 from multiple sclerosis.
Robinson was a strong and independent woman who lived her life with grace and dignity. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, and she will be forever remembered for her wisdom, her kindness, and her unwavering love for her family.
