Celebrating the legacy of Marian Robinson

By Valerie Jarrett

On May 31, the Obama family and our whole community mourned the loss of Marian Robinson, Michelle’s remarkable mother.

“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. 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.” – Statement from the Obama Family on Mrs. Robinson’s passing

The fourth of seven children, Marian was born to a father who worked as a house painter and carpenter and a mother who worked as a nursing aide. She spent most of her life in her beloved city of Chicago, where she met her husband Fraser and raised their children. She moved to the White House when her son-in-law Barack was elected, not because she wanted the spotlight (she would describe living in the White House as “sleeping in a museum”), but because her family needed her. She loved her family and was committed to making the presidential residence a home for her granddaughters.

From day one, Marian was invaluable to the Obama family, and all of us, in the White House. She helped create a sense of normalcy for Malia and Sasha, providing a steady presence when their parents traveled or performed their duties as President and First Lady. During those eight years, she was also a critical source of support for Michelle, who referred to her as “my rock.” 

It was important to Michelle and Barack that they raise their daughters with the core values that reflected their own hope and optimism for the world, and that would not have been possible without Marian. Her presence came with, as the Obamas shared, a deep groundedness and an essential wisdom. With one or two brief words, you could count on her to offer important, hard-earned truths. She always did so with a level of grace and good humor that defines her legacy.  

There’s no doubt that, in some ways, moving to Washington was a sacrifice for her. She loved Chicago and her friends back home, but to her, there was no higher calling than to lend that quiet strength to her daughter, her son-in-law, and her granddaughters. I truly don't know how the First Family would have managed without her.

Marian Robinson was a remarkable woman, and I’m so fortunate to have known her for over 30 years. Her memory will live on in the Obama Presidential Center. The exhibit “Opening the White House” will be named in her honor – a space where visitors will discover the many ways she was a part of making the White House an active place of inclusion, innovation, and culture. It will reflect so many of the values that Marian instilled in Michelle Obama: community, family, bringing people in, and making them feel like their lives mattered.

What an incredible life. What a blessing to have known her.

I will miss Marian dearly. But even as we mourn her loss, we will also celebrate her extraordinary life and draw inspiration from her example. You can read President and Mrs. Obama’s statement honoring Marian’s life here (Opens in a new tab).