By Jehoshaphat Kanyoro Njaro
Marian Robinson, the mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, passed away peacefully at the age of 86. The family announced her death on May 31, 2024, attributing it to natural causes.
Known affectionately as the “First Grandmother,” Robinson lived with the Obamas in the White House during Barack Obama’s presidency, providing invaluable support in raising her granddaughters, Malia and Sasha Obama.
Robinson’s presence in the White House was a historic one, as she was the first grandmother to reside there since Elivera M. Doud, who lived there during Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency.
Marian Robinson moved into the White House in 2009 to help care for her granddaughters, who were seven and ten years old at the time. Her commitment to family and her role as a steady, loving presence in her grandchildren’s lives were well-documented and deeply appreciated by the Obamas.
Born Marian Lois Shields on July 30, 1937, in Chicago, she was the fourth of seven children. She married Fraser C. Robinson III in 1960 and they had two children, Michelle and Craig Robinson. Before her White House years, Robinson worked as a secretary for Spiegel, a mail-order retailer, and at a bank.
She was a figure of strength and resilience, raising her children in the South Side of Chicago and supporting her daughter throughout her groundbreaking journey to becoming the First Lady of the United States.Michelle Obama has often spoken about her mother’s influence and support.
In a family statement, the Obamas highlighted Marian’s dedication to her grandchildren and her role in their upbringing, noting that she often sided with her “grandbabies” in thinking their parents were too strict.
Michelle Obama has shared that her mother found it a significant adjustment to live in the White House, particularly getting used to having staff wait on her, something she wasn’t accustomed to from her humble beginnings.
Marian Robinson’s legacy is one of love, dedication, and unwavering support for her family. Her death marks the end of a life filled with service to her family and the nation, even if indirectly, through her steadfast support of her daughter and son-in-law during their time in the White House.