Marian Shields Robinson, Mother of Michelle Obama, Passes Away at 86
Marian Shields Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama and a beloved member of the Obama family who moved to the White House to help care for her granddaughters, has died at the age of 86.
The announcement was made by Michelle Obama and other family members in a heartfelt statement: "There was and will be only one Marian Robinson. In our sadness, we are lifted up by the extraordinary gift of her life."
A lifelong resident of Chicago and a widow, Mrs. Robinson moved to the White House in 2009 to support her daughter and son-in-law, President Barack Obama, by caring for her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha. Initially hesitant to leave Chicago, Mrs. Robinson was persuaded by Michelle and her brother, Craig, to relocate to Washington, D.C., to provide a stable and loving environment for the girls.
“There were many good and valid reasons that Michelle raised with me, not the least of which was the opportunity to continue spending time with my granddaughters, Malia and Sasha, and to assist in giving them a sense of normalcy that is a priority for both of their parents,” Mrs. Robinson wrote in the foreword to her son's memoir, “A Game of Character.”
At the White House, Mrs. Robinson was a steady and reassuring presence, helping to maintain a sense of normalcy for the young Obama girls amidst the demands of their parents' roles. She often accompanied them to and from school without fanfare, benefiting from her lack of Secret Service protection to maintain a low profile.
“I would not be who I am today without the steady hand and unconditional love of my mother, Marian Shields Robinson,” Michelle Obama wrote in her 2018 memoir, “Becoming.” “She has always been my rock, allowing me the freedom to be who I am, while never allowing my feet to get too far off the ground. Her boundless love for my girls, and her willingness to put our needs before her own, gave me the comfort and confidence to venture out into the world knowing they were safe and cherished at home.”
Despite her proximity to the nation's most powerful family, Mrs. Robinson cherished her privacy and enjoyed a degree of anonymity. This allowed her to move freely about Washington, attending events like concerts, the annual Easter Egg Roll, National Christmas Tree lighting, and state dinners, as well as traveling with her family.
Before moving to the White House, Mrs. Robinson had never traveled outside the U.S. Her first international trip was aboard Air Force One in 2009, accompanying the Obamas to France. She later joined them on trips to Russia, Italy, Ghana, and toured South Africa, Botswana, and China with her daughter and granddaughters.
Born on July 30, 1937, in Chicago, Marian Lois Shields married Fraser Robinson III in 1960. Together, they raised their children with a strong emphasis on education, both of whom went on to attend Ivy League schools. Fraser Robinson, who had multiple sclerosis, worked as a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department until his death in 1991.
Marian Shields Robinson leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and dedication to her family. Her life and contributions to her family's historic journey will always be remembered and cherished.
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